Insulating for winter camping

[Merret22]

I haven't been able to find any info specific to insulating a caddy for the depths of winter. I still need to insulate my caddy, and will need to spend weeks at a time sleeping in my van through this winter in the UK.

Has anyone insulated a van sufficiently to sleep in it through the winter? What did you use; how did you do it and how much did it cost?

My main concerns are firstly whether it will keep me warm enough on cold nights around 0 degrees. Secondly, will it still condensate on the inside of the van (as it does now with absolutely no insulation), and will the condensation get stuff inside the van wet? And could the condensation be absorbed by the insulation and in turn become mouldy etc?

I've seen lots of info out there but I am sceptical of most of it! It all seems basic or mainly focused on sound insulation.

It would be good to hear from someone that has insulated to protect from cold temps!

[Kernow Caddy]

I’d be interested in the replies on this subject

[Dave W]

I have no personal experience of winter vans, but I do sleep in mine a lot and have friends who winter in larger vans.

The general consensus is that you can insulate the vans as much as you like, it will eventually become cold. Insulation will just slow this process. The types of insulation mostly used are combinations of recycled bottle, celotex/kingspan and foil bubble wrap. All of these are not supposed to absorb moisture.

Condensation will always be a problem, especially as to minimise it you're going to need airflow and that's going to make it cold. Kartcher window vac is very useful for condensation in a morning!

Have you thought about a diesel heater?

[Bluebeard]

I recently spoke to a guy at a conversion place to get some info on this type of thing as the number and variety of insulations baffled me. my personal requirements are not so tough as yours, however, hopefully some of the info ive been given can be of some use to you too.
firstly ive sound deadened my van, and will be going over every surface in the back with dodo mat 6mm eLiner thermal closed cell foam roll (good enough for spring to autumn) I also will be using some cavity insulation in any voids behind the ply lining for that little bit extra.

its worth noting that dodo mat also do a 7mm foil lined insulation which will help prevent condensation (this was the firms best seller apparently) they also do an extreme version which is 16mm thick, again foil lined. if I were to do a camper conversion and go full time vanlife I think id go with this stuff. and any other voids with a bit more rock wool or the like in and voids. prices for these depend on how much you order. have a gander on their site https://www.dodomat.com

as has been said, the key for avoiding condensation is air flow. I crack a window open slightly for this, again, not a massive problem during spring to autumn as it doesn't get below freezing. but any number of vents can be installed or even a skylight that has a vent on it too?
finally I intend to fit a leisure battery and a 12v heater for any cold nights, which will just keep the edge off.

Stu

[lembot]

I've used the recycled plastic insulation in my old caddy and it worked a treat, think the best thing to do would be to get a really good sleeping bag and it should be reet

[CaddyShack2k]

The specialist van insulation on eBay ain't cheap, an eight foot by four foot sheet of 25mm kingspan however is about 15 quid and gives better u value, not as easy to bend into shape obviously but not impossible

[Merret22]

I have no personal experience of winter vans, but I do sleep in mine a lot and have friends who winter in larger vans.

The general consensus is that you can insulate the vans as much as you like, it will eventually become cold. Insulation will just slow this process. The types of insulation mostly used are combinations of recycled bottle, celotex/kingspan and foil bubble wrap. All of these are not supposed to absorb moisture.

Condensation will always be a problem, especially as to minimise it you're going to need airflow and that's going to make it cold. Kartcher window vac is very useful for condensation in a morning!

Have you thought about a diesel heater?

That makes a lot of sense about it only slowing the process of cooling down. I hadn't heard of a diesel heater but I've had a good look at them since you mentioned it. They look good and have great reviews. For now I cannot justify the price but I think if I'm doing enough nights in the van through winter that is definitely the option I will take.

[Merret22]

I recently spoke to a guy at a conversion place to get some info on this type of thing as the number and variety of insulations baffled me. my personal requirements are not so tough as yours, however, hopefully some of the info ive been given can be of some use to you too.
firstly ive sound deadened my van, and will be going over every surface in the back with dodo mat 6mm eLiner thermal closed cell foam roll (good enough for spring to autumn) I also will be using some cavity insulation in any voids behind the ply lining for that little bit extra.

its worth noting that dodo mat also do a 7mm foil lined insulation which will help prevent condensation (this was the firms best seller apparently) they also do an extreme version which is 16mm thick, again foil lined. if I were to do a camper conversion and go full time vanlife I think id go with this stuff. and any other voids with a bit more rock wool or the like in and voids. prices for these depend on how much you order. have a gander on their site https://www.dodomat.com

as has been said, the key for avoiding condensation is air flow. I crack a window open slightly for this, again, not a massive problem during spring to autumn as it doesn't get below freezing. but any number of vents can be installed or even a skylight that has a vent on it too?
finally I intend to fit a leisure battery and a 12v heater for any cold nights, which will just keep the edge off.

Stu

This has been amazing advice, thank you very much Stu! I managed to order some 7mm dodo matt and managed to get it on the roof, majority of the walls (just need to do the bottom half of the barn doors) and the floor is still to be complete. As soon as I can I will get some insulation to fill in in panels and arches. I hang my towels just behind the drivers seat and that does a good job of sealing in the heat from the front cab.

I'm in the van now and although it has only got down to about 10 degrees Celsius, I cannot believe how much of a difference it has made!

Lesuire battery to come and I will look in to a 12v heater too.

Thanks again for the advice and I would recommend to anyone so far. Fair price, easy to fit and makes a big difference. I will update the post when the temp drop down to around 0 degrees C and let you know how I'm getting on

[Merret22]

I've used the recycled plastic insulation in my old caddy and it worked a treat, think the best thing to do would be to get a really good sleeping bag and it should be reet

A good sleeping bag was first on the list. It's great when you're in it but feels like you step out in to a freezer when you have to get up in the morning to get changed!! One night I ended up in a spare sleeping bag in the sleeping bag with a thick fleecy cover over.

[Mk2kompressor]

I’ve been looking at stuff like this

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre ... 2314061657

And maybe a thermostat to control it via a relay

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre ... 2461174567


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[anoneamus]

I don't think it's possible to insulate to the point of keeping the interior temperature higher than the outside the whole night. Particularly as you need a through flow of air to reduce condensation (you are going to get some, but without ventilation it's going to be a lot). As others have said, it's really about bedding (and being insulated from below). I've slept at 1-2degrees with a duvet, and it's doable.

I camp in mine a lot, and have found these work the best out of all the ventilation options I've tried.



More info here

[mark1a]

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre ... 2314061657

Regarding these electric heaters, I think 400W is a little high for use more than a few minutes at a time, when the engine is off.

For example, 400W at 12V is just over 30A. If your van battery is 120Ah, this will flatten the battery within 4 hours, and probably won't be able to turn the starter motor after 2-3 hours. Even if you had a split charge relay and leisure battery, you'd need lots of capacity. I'd probably consider a 150W version of one of those heaters, it might be enough to keep the edge off the cold and use less power. This is just a guess, I have no experience with them.

As mentioned, probably the best solution is a diesel heater, we have an Eberspächer in the work T5, they're very expensive but you get what you pay for.

[s_j700]

Hi There

I'm looking at heating and insulation options for my Caddy Maxi also.

Has anybody used or had experience with underfloor heating?

Ive been looking at this stuff https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/252575398150?c ... 635&crdt=0

Sean

[Mk2kompressor]

I’m toying with the idea of buying the heat wire and fan etc to build my own


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[Lowfearon]

Just got my Caddy but will be turning it into a diy occasional camper so some good info in this thread.
I haven't spent much time in camper vans but have stayed loads on canal boats and tents so am very familiar with the condensation problem.
As has been said, insulate all panels and fill voids.
Keep it ventilated even when it is cold outside!
Put a few of the disposable dehumidifiers in the back. They are about a quid each.
Diesel heaters are great but expensive and a little noisy.
Unless you are on hookup electric heaters are too power hungry to be really viable.......but you could run a small suitcase geny.
A good sleeping bag and a bob hat never go amis either!
Garf