What to improve next?

[PG]

New to posting having been getting MHF emails for a year and reading the forums.

I have a VW T5 that was converted back in 2010 with an SCA pop up roof.
Its been running fine and I've put up with the odd nag for 10 years suchas cold in the van overnight and fridge "cycle of death" where the fridge wouldn't stay cold after one and a half days off the mains.

Over lock down and with nowhere to travel I was triggered into action by a forum post on Voltage Sense Relays that would charge my leisure battery after it had topped up the engine battery. So I now have one fitted and this has meant I don't get the fridge problem as the battery keeps charge even if I only make a small journey, or leave the van running in-situ for 20 mins.

I then set off on a trail after reading about insulation on one of the forums. I did more google searches then removed the door trims and saw some very poor quality man made fibre insulation; and not much of it. So I am just installing Noico sound proof and insulation at the moment and I am hoping for warmer nights in the van.

Its not that I have any specific problems but I thought get other members ideas and it may give me an idea of something I can improve next. I don't want to spend loads of money as the van is now over 15 years old and I don't want to do anything that takes me over the 2 metre height.

Cheers
Paul

 

[AndyPK]

Welcome from Ciren!

Any photos of your ‘van…..? What do you have fitted - cameras, reversing sensors, etc…….?

 

[MisterB]

Is a Diesel heater on your list?

 

[gpat]

Its very difficult to improve the insulation in these small vans. How many single glazed windows do you have. I had one a few years back and it was hopeless in the cold despite it being a professional conversion

 

[Riverbankannie]

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[PG]

Is a Diesel heater on your list?

No I don't have one but it does have an LPG heater blower fitted already

 

[68c]

You can get double glazing for VW T5 vans. No idea of cost or how hard it is to embody. Google T5 double glazing to see more info, some folk make up their own secondary glazing often using dark perspex for privacy.

 

[PG]

Welcome from Ciren!

Any photos of your ‘van…..? What do you have fitted - cameras, reversing sensors, etc…….?

I do have sensors but the back box/cycle rack means they had to be disabled.
I don't have a reversing camera (usually use the passenger) but it might be worth looking at again as costs might have dropped since I last looked 5 years ago. Don't know if the technology has made it easier to install either.

The campervan has a fridge, sink, water container under the sink (about 50 Litres), oven/grill and two ring hob, a pull out bed, some cupboard space for clothes and food storage and an LPG heater. Its and automatic gearbox and we had a cycle rack put on the back to store a drive away awning and additional food inc Dog food. There is a 2 bench seat which we drop at night for the dogs to sleep on and to get them off the floor when we are in the back. as they can be a bit of a trip hazard

 

[PG]

Its very difficult to improve the insulation in these small vans. How many single glazed windows do you have. I had one a few years back and it was hopeless in the cold despite it being a professional

The van was bought used before converting and it has windows all round.
Your not wrong about the heat loss/heat gain. Some curtains helped as do the pads on the cab windows.
This was done professionally too and I don't know whether anythnig like the Noico insulation was available back in 2009, or whether it was more expensive then.

 

[PG]

You can get double glazing for VW T5 vans. No idea of cost or how hard it is to embody. Google T5 double glazing to see more info, some folk make up their own secondary glazing often using dark perspex for privacy.

I am going to see how the insulation work I have done so far works out before I go further on larger insulation changes. I am thinking about putting a carpet on the floor as it came with an easy to clean hard wearing vinyl, But now I've seen some carpet cutoffs that are 3metres x 2 metres for £40. I'm thinking about attempting the carpet fitting but I have no idea how hard it could be