Soundproof Insulation for Campervan: How to Reduce Noise

Let’s make one thing clear, right off the bat. I understand perfectly the sheer controversy of even bringing this subject up.

A campervan is your baby, it’s what you use to travel around in style, see the sights of the world while not beholden to any schedules or need to stay at any hotels.

Or it might be your way to earn money, to work and to live. Either way, very important.

So, obviously, I get that, as a fellow owner, I’m just one voice among many, advising this and that.

Hell, I won’t even pretend my way might be the best single way for you.

There are thousands of different situations and types of campervan to consider when you give this sort of advice.

What works for someone will possibly be someone else’s worst options.

That's why I'll do my best to give you multiple options or at least instructions that make sure you can modify them and try to make them suit your needs.

The focus will be on soundproofing your campervan to avoid noise and also to insulate it, both from too much cold and too much heat.

These techniques might seem like they could be applied elsewhere, and you’d be right.

There’s a bit of wisdom in borrowing methods used on houses or RVs and so on.

Overall, we’ll be focusing on soundproofing and insulation, as said before, but there will be some general tips thrown in for good measure.

Let’s get started.

Related: How to Soundproof a Mobile Home

How to Get the Most Out of your Campervan

First of all, let’s begin with something easy to do and generally quite useful to know.

You can prevent your campervan from overheating and the general byproducts of that using brighter colors for it.

White is recommended since it's good for both business vehicles and ones you use recreationally.

Keep in mind that another easy to use solution is to avoid parking anywhere that has no shade.

Now, what do you avoid by simply using these 2 little tricks? Among other things, you avoid:

Now, let me make one thing clear.

For true, quality results there is no one catchall product you can use and apply easily.

After all, you’re the one driving and using it, so you get the best sort of idea on where it will be most useful, over time.

As a general rule of thumb, you can try to predict what your most pressing concerns and needs will be.

Soundproofing the sides and roof is vital if you plan to sleep in it, whilst the wheel arches might be better to consider with heavier loads being transported.

Again, just generalities to consider in your quest to soundproof your campervan.

Notice how I didn’t mention the floor? There’s a reason for that.

Typically, it’s the least of your worries when noise is mentioned and it would also be too much of an investment, for little gain.

As a rule, you can just not think of it much.

Keep in mind that you will need a lot of matting to accomplish your task.

Anywhere from 4 square meters all the way up to 12, a full three times that amount, is a possible necessity.

Insulation for These Areas

Now, to insulate these, you need to be well aware of your needs and wants as a campervan owner.

The reasons I'd recommend it are simple.

First of all, it's a closed cell foam that has a special formulation designed to give you the most for your money.

It has a great efficiency in both acoustic and thermal insulation, providing you with a very solid return on your investment. It can:

Overall, it’s one of the products you won’t regret buying, even if the cost might be hefty at first glance.

The value for money proposition, however, makes it worthwhile and more besides.

These types of products also tend to provide an excellent defense against moisture and other dangers in that vein.

Such a multipurpose barrier is almost a necessity for any sort of long-term use of your van.

It even has a naturally low profile, allowing you to fit panels easily and re-route things as necessary.

The application is fairly straightforward. Think of applying this like applying a blanket, as if you were trying to smother things almost.

Aim for complete coverage and make sure to have all the main panels covered.

The amount needed for each bit will vary greatly, but in general, you won't get away with using less than 10 square meters and all the way up to twice that could possibly be needed.

2. Voids on the Sides and the Floor (Optional)

This isn’t a necessity in the process, but it’s a definite must for anyone wanting to use their campervan for sleeping.

In those cases, you need the very best possible insulation, to avoid any troubles.

How you do that is simple. Fleece that’s been treated to be thermal insulation is your best bet.

Applying it to the voids that are deeper, on top of the measures you took before should guarantee you comfort and even safety from any hardships, down the line.

Long-term use, even for sleeping, should be much simpler, with this application.

Again, if you plan to use the campervan for sleeping, you may need to consider doing the floors, now.

As said before, they aren’t a strict necessity, even going so far as to make this not needed if you just spend one night in it, every blue moon.

However, if you’re planning to sleep in it regularly, then you may need to expand your application of the closed cell foam from before.

Think of it as about another 5 to 8 square meters of material being needed.

What you get is:

General Advice and Things to Avoid

Final Word: Soundproofing Insulation for Campervan