Camper conversions - No deadening etc.

[BigDean]

Morning all,

My first VW is due next month which is eventually going to be converted into a full camper.

I have read so many articles and watched many YouTube videos about the deadening to know that it should be done.

My question is, why do conversion companies, in the main, not do this as standard? Is it because by the time you have cut the roof off for the pop top and the sides out for the windows there is no benefit to it? Most just seem to put the white insulation in the walls and think that’s enough.

it just seems strange that a convertor can charge £20k+ for a conversion and not include something that seems so fundamental to a quality vehicle.

Thanks in advance.
BigDean

 

[Superowls]

Not sure why they dont do it because it's a tiny part of the overall cost, I did mine for a couple of hundred quid and went to town on it, using quality brands
So even if it only has a small benefit, it's got to be worth it if you're spending £20k on a conversion
You could always do it yourself before sending the van for conversion?

 

[BigDean]

Not sure why they dont do it because it's a tiny part of the overall cost, I did mine for a couple of hundred quid and went to town on it, using quality brands
So even if it only has a small benefit, it's got to be worth it if you're spending £20k on a conversion
You could always do it yourself before sending the van for conversion?

Thats exactly what I am thinking of doing. Just making sure I am not wasting my time....

Thanks

 

[Superowls]

If it helps, everything I used is on this thread
Might give you an idea of how much you'll need

Kombi camper conversion

Hi all, I have bought my 1st Transporter this week & am intending to convert it to a part camper It's a 2017 T6 Highline 150 T32 I spent quite a while trying to find one in the right spec as a good base for conversion and eventually found one with the engine & gearbox that I wanted, tailgate...

www.t6forum.com

 

[Paynewright]

I have read that you dont need complete coverage of the butyl type sound deadening mat to stop panel drum. There comes a point where it is diminishing returns.

 

[Eclipse Custom Vans]

We provide most items as an option and customers can pick and choose what they would like. We provide guidance on the items so an informed decision can be made. If every option was included as a matter of course, the conversion would be very much more than 20k. Everyones has different needs and requirements.
That said i would always recommend sound deadening .
Cheers
Ian

 

[N1ck]

When I did mine I found it made a huge difference, not sure doing the floor makes much much sense tho if there is a floor going down anyway
i did the full conversion myself except the roof and it is way more fun and you know that good or bad it is how you want it to be

 

[andthedogcomestoo]

I also did mine prior to a Bilbos conversion. Went to the Sound Deadening Shop, highly recommended, 2mm Silent Coat followed by Dodo Thermal Van Liner.
I did the floor as well between the raised sections - very pleased with the result.

 

[BigDean]

If it helps, everything I used is on this thread
Might give you an idea of how much you'll need

Kombi camper conversion

Hi all, I have bought my 1st Transporter this week & am intending to convert it to a part camper It's a 2017 T6 Highline 150 T32 I spent quite a while trying to find one in the right spec as a good base for conversion and eventually found one with the engine & gearbox that I wanted, tailgate...

www.t6forum.com

Thanks for that, read it a few times already

 

[BigDean]

We provide most items as an option and customers can pick and choose what they would like. We provide guidance on the items so an informed decision can be made. If every option was included as a matter of course, the conversion would be very much more than 20k. Everyones has different needs and requirements.
That said i would always recommend sound deadening .
Cheers
Ian

Thanks for that. It is frightening that I have had quotes up to £37k which still didn't include deadening. Not even asked about it in most cases.....

 

[BigDean]

I also did mine prior to a Bilbos conversion. Went to the Sound Deadening Shop, highly recommended, 2mm Silent Coat followed by Dodo Thermal Van Liner.
I did the floor as well between the raised sections - very pleased with the result.

Yep, think thats the way forward. Thanks.

 

[Linoleum Bonypart]

8ball only fit the white fleece but having windows all round I'm not sure any extra will do any good

 

[Qnapper]

If it helps, everything I used is on this thread
Might give you an idea of how much you'll need

Kombi camper conversion

Hi all, I have bought my 1st Transporter this week & am intending to convert it to a part camper It's a 2017 T6 Highline 150 T32 I spent quite a while trying to find one in the right spec as a good base for conversion and eventually found one with the engine & gearbox that I wanted, tailgate...

www.t6forum.com

Now that's a great post - reading it like mad thank you

 

[Superowls]

8ball only fit the white fleece but having windows all round I'm not sure any extra will do any good

It might not but for what it costs, it's daft not put it in in my opinion, I've got windows all round so will obviously lose a lot of heat through the glass

But like the advert says.......every little helps

 

[Eclipse Custom Vans]

Thanks for that. It is frightening that I have had quotes up to £37k which still didn't include deadening. Not even asked about it in most cases.....

That is a lot, but will depend on spec, must be massive spec at that price though. Most customers have a budget, some will stick rigidly and remove sound deadening to remain in budget for example, it’s their call and their money. I would always recommend it. Companies will vary in price with many factors affecting the price. I would hope that the price reflects the end product, material choice, fit and finish etc but sadly this is not always the case as we have all seen.

All the best,

Ian

 

[t0mb0]

By all accounts it makes a lot of difference in a bare panel van. Logically, it should make less difference in a fully kitted out camper. The question then is precisely how much difference does it make? The only way of answering this is to spec out two identical campers, one with and one without. I guess only a convertor could feasibly do this experiment and they're not really incentivised to...

Without this, you're just left with anecdotes. For what it's worth, my anecdote is that our camper isn't deadened (although every time I have a panel accessible I do chuck a bit of deadening on), and I don't really notice any road type noise to the extent it bothers me, I'm much more concerned with random squeaks, clinking mugs and the kids yelling!

Actual heat insulation is another matter, I'd love it if our floor and panels were properly insulated rather than the converters token effort!

 

[Superowls]

The only thing I have to compare with is that when I bought my van it was a kombi with a bulkhead so was nice and quiet
Then I stripped out the rear seats, bulkhead, flooring and panels ready for sound deadening & insulation the next day

But my work called me that night to ask if I wanted to work the next 2 days on overtime....which I snapped up as I'd just bought a crazy expensive van

So I had to drive the van for the next few days stripped down to it's underpants....it was like driving a car with your head out of the window! Now it's done the difference is massive, am still weighing up wether to go further and do the cab floor but can definitely live with it as is

 

[Mud Digger]

it's sound deadening it's not just about panel drum/ road noise . Your' ll be trying to sleep with your ear is right next to the outside panel. Anything you can do to keep outside noise away and your Snoring inside plus a 2nd foil barrier to reflect heat away off the foam insulation then the fluffy wool insulation stops / fills the gaps and voids to help stop Condensation Building up behind your panels. with screens over the windows help dampen noise there
worth every penny and it helps keep the van cool or warm as a bonus

just add the cost to your resell bill whats £ 300 if you laying out £37,000 on a conversion ... well £29,600 + VAT lol

its worth 10 times that if it blocks out all them xmas tunes pumping out of your sub woofer lol

 

[BigDean]

That is a lot, but will depend on spec, must be massive spec at that price though. Most customers have a budget, some will stick rigidly and remove sound deadening to remain in budget for example, it’s their call and their money. I would always recommend it. Companies will vary in price with many factors affecting the price. I would hope that the price reflects the end product, material choice, fit and finish etc but sadly this is not always the case as we have all seen.

All the best,

Ian

It was a decent spec, but about £5k more than a very similar quote! The difference at the moment is astonishing for seemingly similar things. And it was a 10 month waiting list; so they must be doing something right I guess......

 

[BigDean]

By all accounts it makes a lot of difference in a bare panel van. Logically, it should make less difference in a fully kitted out camper. The question then is precisely how much difference does it make? The only way of answering this is to spec out two identical campers, one with and one without. I guess only a convertor could feasibly do this experiment and they're not really incentivised to...

Without this, you're just left with anecdotes. For what it's worth, my anecdote is that our camper isn't deadened (although every time I have a panel accessible I do chuck a bit of deadening on), and I don't really notice any road type noise to the extent it bothers me, I'm much more concerned with random squeaks, clinking mugs and the kids yelling!

Actual heat insulation is another matter, I'd love it if our floor and panels were properly insulated rather than the converters token effort!

Thanks for that. Agree on the other noises. We have a big motorhome and spend our lives trying to work out the latest rattle/scratch/squeek!