Panel Van Ventilation

[JMGR33N]

Hey All

The van I'm picking up next week is an 82 panel van, the interior has been made into a "temporary camper", but I plan to put in full R&R bed, units, etc etc.

Now I've searched this and come up with nothing, the question is...

How is it best to ventilate a panel van that is essentially being used as a camper? I was hoping to avoid fitting a side window to keep it looking original from the outside.

[NicBeeee]

Hi,

We too have got a converted panel van, and we too prefer to keep it as original as poss, I have insulated it within an inch of its life floor roof doors and sides, fitted new seals on the doors, trust me ventilation is not anything to worry about these old vans have ample air gaps around the doors, in fact the biggest issue is keeping the draughts out.

[a1winchester]

If you are planning to fit a cooker, you will need good ventilation, preferrably at roof level. Perhaps a hatch, a mushroom, or one of those spinning jobbies if you really want a van look.

[JMGR33N]

Haha thanks guys.

Prob not looking to fit a cooker. Maybe a single hob. But would prob only use that with the side door open.

I was thinking more for ventilation on warm days/nights what's people experiences? Is having the front windows cracked open enough?

[NicBeeee]

If its insulated well enough you should not have an issue, we have used it in 100 C heat and still been comfortable and we have got a black painted roof, in fact I think having less windows helps in this case, during the heat of the day the inside of the van is usually cooler than the outside, as we use an external thermal cover for the front windows. We also never cook inside, although we have got e leccy kettle but this does not cause an issue as you say just open the side door a tad. I also believe that having no glass or bare metal surfaces reduces condensation a lot, we use plastic venetian blinds for the rear window and as said thermal cover for the fronts so no worry about damp curtains. For the roof insulation we used self adhesive aluminium faced foam sheet, you can then contact adhesive your material of choice straight onto the insulation so no need to board out the roof.

[marlinowner]

https://www.brickwerks.co.uk/tailgate-stand-off-t3.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[JMGR33N]

If its insulated well enough you should not have an issue, we have used it in 100 C heat and still been comfortable and we have got a black painted roof, in fact I think having less windows helps in this case, during the heat of the day the inside of the van is usually cooler than the outside, as we use an external thermal cover for the front windows. We also never cook inside, although we have got e leccy kettle but this does not cause an issue as you say just open the side door a tad. I also believe that having no glass or bare metal surfaces reduces condensation a lot, we use plastic venetian blinds for the rear window and as said thermal cover for the fronts so no worry about damp curtains. For the roof insulation we used self adhesive aluminium faced foam sheet, you can then contact adhesive your material of choice straight onto the insulation so no need to board out the roof.

100C heat!! Krikey you must have Teflon pyjamas!

Ok that sounds good! The thermal cover for the front and the roof insulation both sound like good ideas. The ally backed insulation, is that just the sort of stuff you get in B&Q, or something a bit more special?

[JMGR33N]

https://www.brickwerks.co.uk/tailgate-stand-off-t3.html

Funny you should mention these, I saw one while flicking through eBay earlier.

For the sake of a couple of quid it might be worth having one in the glovebox

[NicBeeee]

Ok that sounds good! The thermal cover for the front and the roof insulation both sound like good ideas. The ally backed insulation, is that just the sort of stuff you get in B&Q, or something a bit more special?

Opps just realised 100F, we couldnt get the ferry to venus that weekend

I cant find the exact link but it was this stuff the adhesive is very very sticky and does not become dislodged in the heat, do not use this on the sides though as it is a bugger to get off just in case of any repairs needed in future. Tin top roof should bee no worries though.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Self-Adhesive ... SwyKxXhPTr" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I then lined the roof with this only in grey again cant find the exact link, it is also foam backed for that extra insulation. Sticks to the aluminium back with high temp contact spray with ease, and gives a nice contrast to the grey veltrim on the sides,

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CREAMY-GREY-C ... SwuMFUYoDn" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


I then stuffed the sides with this stuff, do not use rockwool based materials as they love to hold moisture, I tested this stuff by leaving some in the bath overnight, did not hold any moisture or wick any water.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Insulation-Ca ... SwARZXpH5d" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Then finished with veltrim carpet lining on the sides, its best to line the panels seperatley to the pillars a bit more fiddly than just lining the interior, in case you need to get into the voids for rust repair, saves having to pull all the carpet off

[mm289]

similar story to Nick.

When sleeping in the van or in van during the day i use a wooden block as a tailgate standoff, i hadnt seen the brickwerks ones but will defo order one now as having the tailgate open an inch or two really helps and being able to lock in this position would be great.

we used external thermal shields on front windows for first time this year and the difference was noticeable, kept the van much cooler in the mornings when the sun came up. We also put deflectors on the front windows which allowed us to have the windows open an inch or two with a level of security.

We have also insulated and lined the van, the thred on lining is here. https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=40&t=153991

Cheers,

MM

[Winchweight]

You can also get inserts that sit on top of your cab Windows and allow ventilation in with the window closed against mossies, opportunist thieves, rain etc.

[JMGR33N]

Thanks Nic, that's some good advise and useful links, appreciate it! You van looks really smart inside.

Cheers MM, using deflectors on the front window did cross my mind as you can have the Windows open a little even when it raining too.
Thermal sheilds for the Windows are sounding like a good idea, will have to invest.
Cheers for the lining link I'll have a read.

Winchweight, cheers I think I know the things you mean, I've seen them on a few bays.

[Winchweight]

These mate,

http://campervanculture.com/shop/vw-t25 ... oor-vents/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[JMGR33N]

These mate,

http://campervanculture.com/shop/vw-t25 ... oor-vents/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Oh cool that's slightly different to what I was thinking. They'd look alright painted body colour.

[R0B]

Also available here
http://www.justkampers.com/cab-door-win ... -1992.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;