VanDweller Community Forums

  • Home
  • Blog
  • Forums
  • Gatherings
  • Store
  • Find a Campsite
    • Arizona
      • Moving Camp to Cottonwood, AZ
      • Camping in Quartzsite, Arizona
      • Gorgeous Camp near Wickenburg, Arizona
  • How To Articles
    • How to Choose a Vehicle
    • How to Stay in Touch
    • Cooking and Meal Suggestions
    • Simple Kitchen Tips
    • Staying Clean
    • Laundry in Five-Gallon Buckets
    • Getting Rid of Stuff
    • Toilet Options for Van Living
    • Living on the Road with Pets
    • Staying Healthy & Fit
    • Safety for the Solo Traveler
    • Homesteading for Vandwellers
  • Electrical
    • How to Have Electricity
    • Cheap & Easy Ways to Get Electricity
    • Installing a Cigarette Lighter Plug
    • Installing an LED Light
  • Heat & Cold
    • Dealing with Heat and Cold
    • Warm in Winter/Cool in Summer
  • Solar and Wind
    • Basics of Solar Power
    • Solar Power Demystified
    • How to Install Solar Panels
    • Installing Flexible Solar Panels
    • Solar Panels on a Fiberglass Roof
    • Installing a Wind Generator
    • Solar Hot Water & Electricity
    • Stealth Solar
    • Cooking with a Solar Oven
  • Van Conversions
    • How to Live in a Conversion Van
    • Converting an Astro Mini-Van
    • Living in an Ambulance
    • Living in a Class B
    • Living in a Pop-Top Class B
    • Dodge Sprinter Conversion
    • A Couple in a Van
    • Living in a VW Vanagon
    • Family Vandwellers in a VW Westfalia
    • Easy Van Conversion
    • Inspiration: Charlene’s Story
    • European Vandweller
    • Steve’s Van Conversion
    • Dodge High-Top Conversion
  • Other Conversions
    • Living Out of a Prius
    • Living in a Boat
    • Full-Size SUV Conversion
    • Living in a Converted Cargo Trailer
    • Build Your Own Camper
    • How I Lived in a Bus
    • How to Live in a Ford Festiva
    • How to Install a High Top
    • Stealth Cargo Trailer
    • Ingenious Camper Shell
    • Living in a Step-Van
    • Survivalist Truck Dweller
  • Money
    • How to Make and Budget Money
    • Money Matters
    • Workamping
  • Philosophy
    • The Two Million-Year-Old Man
    • Embracing Minimalism
    • Needs vs. Comfort vs. Luxury
    • Finding True Freedom
    • Gaia Theory
    • Why Vandwelling is Greener
    • Understanding Carbon Footprint
    • Quotes to Inspire You
    • Christmas Dinner 2013
  • Adventure
    • Live For NOW–Not Tomorrow
    • Say “YES” to Adventure
    • Say “YES” to Adventure: I Skydive
  • Boondocking and Stealth Parking
    • Dispersed Camping On Public Land
    • Living/Camping on Public Land
    • How to Live Off-Grid in Cities
    • Where To Stealth Park
    • Tent Living Off-Grid
    • Exploring Slab City
    • Dry Camping in an RV
    • Tent Living in the Desert
    • Boondocking

  • View New Posts
  • View Today's Posts
  • Search
  • Misc
    • Portal
    • Member
    • View Forum Rules
    • Help Docs
Login or Register Hello There, Guest! Please Login or Register to gain Full Access!
Login
Username:
Password: Lost Password?
 
    Forum
  1. VanDweller Community Forums
  2. Life On The Road
  3. Insulation
  4. Headliner & existing floor carpeting
Thread Rating:
  • 0 Vote(s) - 0 Average
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

Thread Modes
Headliner & existing floor carpeting
reydio
Member
***
Posts: 3
Threads: 2
Joined: Nov 2019
Reputation: 0
#1
11-30-2019, 12:44 PM
Hi!

I just got my 1997 Econoline 250 cargo van with 160k+ miles. It was a fleet vehicle and came with a stock headliner and stock carpet over stock rubber on the floor and (an exposed) rear a/c unit (controlled by a secondary knob below the main one on the dash) mounted on the rear driver side.

Is it recommended I discard the stock headliner and bottom mat/carpeting for proper insulation? Should I keep that rear a/c unit?

Thanks for any advice!
Website Find
Reply
highdesertranger
Moderator
******
Posts: 21,362
Threads: 274
Joined: Apr 2012
Reputation: 482
#2
11-30-2019, 06:07 PM
depends on what you want to end up with. if you have the jute insulation under the carpet and rubber I would replace that with something that doesn't absorb water/moisture.

highdesertranger
Find
Reply
jonyjoe303
Posting Freak
****
Posts: 498
Threads: 5
Joined: May 2017
Reputation: 19
#3
11-30-2019, 10:17 PM
Get rid of the carpet. No matter how careful you are eventually you will drop water on it. If the van is well insulated a wet carpet will never dry out. Its not fun having to walk around in a wet carpet. Getting rid of my carpet was the best thing I ever did.

On my van I also removed the original headliner and installed rtech foam insulation. But Its best to do it after you figure out if you will be installing solar panels/roof vents. Because once you decide to cut into the roof some of the headliner will have to come off, might as well replace it then. Foam insulation works alot better then the original headliner.
Find
Reply
reydio
Member
***
Posts: 3
Threads: 2
Joined: Nov 2019
Reputation: 0
#4
01-01-2020, 01:18 PM
Thanks for the input - I’m finally getting the van back from some needed repairs (all new spark plugs, coils, fuel pump)... needless to say I’m tapped! Anyhow, I’m going to have to do this slowly in steps and while I live in it (I have to be out of my current place at the end of next week.

From the replies it sounds like the immediate things I should do:
- ditch the rug (after I use it as a template for the wood floor and keep the rubber mat underneath)
- insulate the walls and cover them
- I’ll keep the headliner for now, but will remove when I install a vent and insulate

I will want solar, but not in the immediate time with it being winter in the Bay Area and funds being low.

That being said, I will need to decide on a heater ASAP, but without a vent, will opening the front windows a little bit, even though I will have a blackout curtain up, be sufficient to use a Buddy heater safely?

No advice on the A/C unit? It works great, it is just exposed (used to be a Comcast work van, but not sure what they would use it for, unless it was an event van.
Website Find
Reply
Trebor English
Posting Freak
****
Posts: 1,391
Threads: 15
Joined: Jul 2016
Reputation: 48
#5
01-01-2020, 04:57 PM
The unvented propane heaters should not be used when sleeping.  The blackout curtain will help reduce the condensation on the inside of the windshield but not eliminate it.  A propane heater will make condensation much worse. 

The air conditioner at least needs to be protected from damage.  Removing it will not be cheap.  To keep the front ac working the system must be evacuated, rear disconnected and plumbing sealed, then remaining front must be evacuated and recharged.  Just tearing out the rear will leave you with an open non cooling system.  The compressor won't have proper lubrication.  Turning on the defrost also turns on the ac compressor so at least that must be disconnected.  I would keep it.

Say good night, Dick.
Find
Reply
« Next Oldest | Next Newest »



  • View a Printable Version
  • Subscribe to this thread
Forum Jump:


Users browsing this thread: 1 Guest(s)

About Our Community

We strive to maintain a safe space to ask questions, discuss relevant topics, and support each other. All are welcome, in a car, van or RV, including full-timers, part-timers, and those preparing for, or exploring the vandwelling lifestyle

Quick Links




Reach Us

Contact Us  Meet Our team

Powered By MyBB. Crafted by EreeCorp.
Linear Mode
Threaded Mode