The Dispatch | Expert | Scudo Hub

I would go further than vaz and suggest you forget the commercial exploitation of what has always been there for free and find your own way Ricko.

Unless you like convoys of "quirky" conformists, van lifers, weekend hippies and of course Winnebago Warriors :- 

A really good scientific overview of insulating a van in the videos below:-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDZBJw7cV2U
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKy6WnFh368

Too complex and expensive to follow for most of us to implement I think but it does help to understand the principles involved.

Another problem with assessing the effectiveness of insulation is actualy measuring any real improvements made.  Outside conditions are unlikely to ever be identical on any two occasions so it is difficult to make direct comparisons.

More important than the actual science though is how it actualy feels.  Their actual insulation properties being almost nil,  I used to think the foiled bubble wrap type blinds were a total waste of time.    I usually prefer to camp with minimum windows covered whenever privacy allows.  If it gets to cold though I will put them up in even the most remote of places.  I don't think there is any measurable improvement but there is no doubt that I feel slightly more comfortable.  In really extreme cold though, I found the bubble wrap blinds more effective wrapped around me inside the sleeping bag than on the windows.

The coldest areas in my van are the door pillars and the seat boxes.  Good insulation of my mattress stops the cold radiating from the seat boxes.  But as my bed is through into the cab, it places my lower back area right in line with the cold radiating off the door pillars.  In anything less than warm weather, the difference in temperature here is quite uncomfortable and surprisingly even worse than anything coming off the glass.  The difference can even be felt through an arctic sleeping bag.  I always carry a couple of camping mats  and if needed I slide one from front to back between the side of my bed and against the front and sliding doors.  This eliminates the cold spot completely.

I doubt very much that the mat actualy stops any heat transfer, but I think by spreading it's effects across a wider area it removes the concentrated cold spot and helps equalise the temperature around the van.  Whatever the temperature might be, I think we feel localised cooler spots as uncomfortable.

Another point is that  without an ongoing heat source and however well insulated, any van will eventually end up at same temperature as outside.  Usually we would be adding heat all the time by driving, heating, cooking and even body heat.  Park up for much more than 24hrs in sub zero with no additional heat and apart from protection from wind chill, temperatures will equalise.

Sorry if I go on but I think a very import and and interesting subject which I have spent many a cold night thinking about.  I do a lot of winter camping, usually in exposed and elevated areas and I wouldn't do it if uncomfortable.  I think the best, and perhaps most crucial aspect of staying warm in a van in bad conditions is to have a sleeping bag appropriate to the worst temperatures expected.
Electric runs out, heaters fail, gas freezes, etc.

I would still add insulation wherever I could though.  Even thin carpet covering exposed metal and plastic makes it feel less cold and that after all is what we want.

Looks like a component worth a few quid.  Surprising that they fit it to an engine when they don't intend to use it.  Why not a blanking plate?

Electric windows can be a pain in a camper Ricko.

Another dipstick filler here with no apparent problems.

Strange that Engine water outlet being there though!???

Check out caravan breakers for used windows.

This one at Castleford :-  http://caravanpartscastleford.co.uk/

You certainly packed a lot into a little time Ken.

Just arrived back myself.  A great trip in the incredible weather.  Empty roads all the way down as far as Hawes, then it seemed like every biker had taken the day of work to enjoy the sun.

Me too.  I was seriously considering something newer later this year but the cpu's and excess electronics seem to be unavoidable.

Thanks for the explanation vaz.

Glad you got it sorted Ricko.  When you setting off?  Look out for ken and I as you pass through the borders.  Suppose you will be going up M6 for the west coast though.

Strange one.  I can't see how easy start would overcome anything but low starting temperature problems or perhaps a delay in proper fuel delivery at startup.  An air leak or a failing pump perhaps? 

You must be getting proper fuel delivery once at tick over as it runs on ok.

Could the fuel pump not be performing properly till up to speed?  The easy start getting it turning over fast enough to deliver and run on?

Let me know you got it and I will delete.

DELETED.

Cheers.  One gone four left.

KEN...

Off up to the Borders for a week or so next week if you are out and about.  Stopover in Teesdale on the way.

A few people have said similar.  But one of the garages was not exactly a back street place and did specialise in diesels.  They got two out but couldn't get the other two.  When they said it needed the engine dropped and would be expensive I said go ahead.  They then said that they feared wrecking the head in getting them out and that a replacement head may be required.  Again I suggested they did it but they made it clear they didn't want to.   We were talking potentially around £1,000!

Would love to have a go myself but have serious mobility problems.  After hardly using a garage in over 50yrs, I am now totally in their unreliable and expensive hands.