Insulating Cargo Van

JBurd

JBurd

New member
This would probably also apply to box trucks and enclosed trailers...anyway, I'm hoping to insulate the back of my 2004 Sprinter van but I've noticed a ton of condensation on the metal ceiling right now (especially on sunny but cold days). I'm worried this will effect the stickability of the insulation, or adhesive. I have a couple 55 gallon tanks back there (one pure water and one power washer supply tank). The supply tank doesn't have a lid on it as my float valves and bypass hoses are just dropped in, so I assume that's where the moisture is coming from.

Do I need to solve the condensation issue before insulating, or would keeping the cargo area warm prevent the condensation in the future?

Also, what is the lowest temp I can do interior power washing out of an enclosed van? Do any of you Canadian or northern US guys go below 20 degrees F?
 
ABC said:
Your theory may be right about the condensation from the tank.
Any chance the roof is leaking though?
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No the roof is definitely not leaking. Looks like I need to pick up some bulkhead fitting and put the cap back on the tank. Any tips on insulation? I was thinking blueboard the large sections and spray foam in a can for nooks and crannies. Not sure what adhesive to use for the blueboard though.
 
I'd hire a professional. I mean, if it's just a one time gig, let someone who specializes in that industry do it.
That's just me though.
I only spray wood and houses.
 
Guy Blackmon said:
Probably the spray on type insulation would be better in this situation. But my question would be.....why? I know you're in a very cold area, why not just stick a small heater in the back and plug it up. That's what I do for our box truck.
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forecast j.JPG

Small electric heater would not be able to keep up, also as soon as I hit the road I'd have to unplug it or especially if I use a propane heater would have to turn it off and things could freeze on the way to the job site. My 1500 watt space heater could barely keep things above 32 when outside temp hit the teens last month.
 
JBurd said:
View attachment 29225

Small electric heater would not be able to keep up, also as soon as I hit the road I'd have to unplug it or especially if I use a propane heater would have to turn it off and things could freeze on the way to the job site. My 1500 watt space heater could barely keep things above 32 when outside temp hit the teens last month.
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Dang That's Cold!!!!

Looks like you need insulation and some sort of heat source combined, Insulation alone will not help. You should look into an inverter, that way you can run a heat source while on the move.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/to...able-energy+power-inverters+modified-sinewave
 
What type of surfaces are you gonna be cleaning in those temps ?Spray in insulation an put a barrier over that but still unsure how you could wash in those temps.
 
Kiloman said:
What type of surfaces are you gonna be cleaning in those temps ?Spray in insulation an put a barrier over that but still unsure how you could wash in those temps.
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Well nothing is on the schedule this week, but I'm upgrading my reclaim system (IPC Eagle Vac and Mosmatic vac surface cleaner) and long term I hope to line up some interior flatwork to keep me busier in the winter. I think it would take a pretty penny to get me out of the house this Wednesday!
 
No doubt thats some very cold weather you are dealing with if you had to get going and do a job after you take the heater out idle the engine down an stick the hose in the tank an let it idle an you will be good to go .A buddy an i got this bright idea to do chicken houses in the dead of winter one time spent more time unthawing the rigs than anything.They froze on the way to the job,lesson learned.
 
Kiloman said:
No doubt thats some very cold weather you are dealing with if you had to get going and do a job after you take the heater out idle the engine down an stick the hose in the tank an let it idle an you will be good to go .A buddy an i got this bright idea to do chicken houses in the dead of winter one time spent more time unthawing the rigs than anything.They froze on the way to the job,lesson learned.
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That happened to us a few times last winter with our flat bed truck setup. Its surprising hard to get thing to thaw when you can't get water moving!
 
Spray foam will give you the best results, although doing spray foam once the truck is set up is not always ideal. If you do spray foam you need to do it on a warm day or else it will not adhere to the cold surface well. Blue foam boards will work, although many times the cost is the same or close to spray foam and you can spray foam a lot quicker on an empty truck. One thing to keep in mind is that you can insulated the walls and roof and that is great, but if you don't insulate the floor any hoses/valves/filters on the floor could freeze due to the lack of insulation.

My box on my freightliner which is a reefer box (fully insulated spray foam, top, bottom and sides) has 2 1500w heaters going full tilt 24/7 and they can't always keep up. I keep about 2200 gallons of water in the tanks to help out in the cold of night, but have still had some freeze ups. I only have the truck outside because my plan for the winter fell through due to some stupid mortgage brokers that screwed me out of a shop. I now have to wait until spring for the new shop to be move in ready.
 
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