insulating a sprinter

[corky63]

We ran into a nice fella who told us he talked to a couple who used a spray on application to insulate their sprinter. He said they got it done at a utility trailer place. Does anyone know anything about this, like what state is it cheapest, how much, how good is it,etc. Any info would be much appreciated. Thanks, Corky

 

[Moot]

I think both Rlent and Turlte looked into spray-on insulation for their Sprinters and found it to be quite expensive. I'm sure they will answer your post or you could send them a p.m.

 

[barney]

The housing industry uses a spray in foam insulation. When cured they actually cut off the excess with a special saw. The price is a little more than regular insulation. Check with Home Depot.

 

[FIS53]

On Yahoo there is a spinter forum (sprintervan) that has 1000's of members. There are several members who have used similar. Search their archives as they even had some give instructions.

Several long haul van drivers north of the border use the aluminum covered bubble insulation. Double it up in the forward area. It does make a difference. Got it in both my vans (Gm 3500 ext and Sprinter).

Rob Fis

 

[RLENT]

I used a combination of 2" Dow blue styrofoam (walls), 1" Dow polyisocyanate (roof), and GreatStuff expanding foam - all of which are available at Lowes, Home Depot, or similar. I don't have an exact number on the cost - never got around to adding it all up - it wasn't cheap though - I wouldn't be surprised if I had $400 or more in it. If I did it again I'd probably look at taking it some place - I expect it would be cheaper, or at least more cost-effective, given how long it took me to do it.

My impression is that it has made a very significant difference in heating and cooling the van - I have no problem keeping the entire vehicle toasty warm on cold days and downright chilly on very hot days with just Sprinter's stock heat and A/C. I can't run either at full without running myself out of the vehicle. And I don't run a cargo bulkhead so I'm heating and cooling the entire vehicle. I think using a layer of the bubble-foil like Ken (Turtle) did would probably be a wise move - wish I had.

One thing if you do it yourself be cautious about allowing the vehicle to undergo significant temperature swings until the expanding foam has fully cured. I did mine in a polebarn in March which was heated to 70 degrees - and then had to pull it outside in below freezing temps so my friend could put his tractor in the barn overnight. As a result I have a few ripples in the body skin sheetmetal which I think were caused by the foam shrinking (in the cold) as it cured. Using a low-expanding foam in the cavity areas might have been a solution to that as well.

Here's the link where I detailed my experiences with insulating it:

http://www.expeditersonline.com/dcforum/DCForumID16/1612.html

 

[LDB]

>If I did it again
>I'd probably look at taking it some place - I expect it
>would be cheaper, or at least more cost-effective, given how
>long it took me to do it.
>

The only question would be how the quality of work compares to what you did. Based on your posts, with the amount of detail and knowledge you share, I suspect your work product is around the 9.8-9.9 level (based on nobody being perfect since we're all human). Even the best shop work seems to only be around the 9 level due to the press to get jobs in and out to maximize revenue.

Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB, OOIDA Life Member 677319
Owner, Panther trucks 5508, 5509, 5641
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
EO Forum Moderator
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Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

 

[greg334]

The foam stuff is a pain if you use a mixing gun. One issue with using the commercial applied stuff is making sure that you mask everything off because it is a big problem getting off things.

The bubble pack aluminum clad stuff is not insulation, it is a heat barrier. For it to really work, it must have an air space between the wall (metal) and bubble pack aluminum clad stuff.

Styrofoam is good stuff, haven’t used it on any vehicles I own(ed) but I have used it a lot in my house.

I use the polyisocyanate stuff sandwiched between the bubble pack aluminum clad stuff, it give me the best solution yet. IN this truck I didn’t have an air space and notice it a lot. I had planned to use wood lathing to add the 1/4 inch space needed.

I have some asphalt heat barrier and some of the ceramic cloth stuff that I would like to use on my cab floor when I find time, which is where about 40% of my heat comes from.

For the straight truck crowd, and it also applies to vans in a way, the floor of the sleeper (at least mine and many built around that time) is not insulated at all. I am trying to figure out how to really insulate the floor.