Vapor Barrier in a Camper Van Good or Bad?

This 3 minute video briefly explains the pros and cons of using a plastic vapor barrier in a van or camper.

[EvilTwin]

He got right to the video he didn't introduce himself and he didn't ask for thumbs up and subscribes and all that bullshxt....thank you

[rothmaam]

FINALLY. Thank you. After hours of DIY van insulating videos and not being able to commit because of this logic.
And no BS. Thank you.

[ptrkmr]

Thank you so much! I was going to go full vapor barrier and never thought of this. Saved me a lot of time and money

[dahanler]

THIS !!!! Finally, someone said it out loud! All these ppl trapping water inside their RV walls, I get shocked every time I see those reflective vapor barriers with a bunch of holes in them. And then installing their diesel heaters at the entrance, omg.

[OniCave]

Great vid. Working on building a vid about condensation / insulation / windows in our 1956 Spartan and how we are solving our issues.

[MichaelLoveridge-vgbe]

Great video, I did think that looking at many van builds and lots leave the inner metal beams, that's why I wanted mine boxed in completely (an insulated box all side, top and bottom) So normal single glass windows are not a barrier? And what about like I said I was doing, a sealed box with an open vent at one end of the roof (with rain top on) and a small extractor fan the other end of the roof, for air flow in vent end and out fan end? Full insulated around the vent and fan outlet.

[gregboyd]

Great tutorial! So ur resolve is to try and seal via great stuff, metal tape ecr ect. O of subject u commented on my LM about a wk back. On a 2003 it has a vacuum resinator. Pulled most of my hair out ting to finger the LM out. Well I had a 4 legged toothy critters that had chewed the wiring apart. Rewired and good to go. Tanks 4 ur help. Ciao

[nmartin]

Once again, you have nailed it, and in less than 23”. A lot less. I wish people could be more succinct. Thanks again! I’m having adventures in Lizard skin ceramic thermal insulation. Made more adventurous by my own idiocy. Probably. I’ll know soon.

[SammyGDude]

At first I was like damn... another old fart, trying to explain things from back in the old days.

But now I realize im an old fart, and some people aren't able to make a powerpoint presentation.

Good vid, GJ citing some sources. thanks.

[utahjohn]

Leaks happen (especially on Sprinters). Dry heating (not combustion heating) is also keep to keeping inside dry in Winter.

[NOMAD-LEISURE]

at last! a man that talks sense too many self builders around the world following the greg virgoe method! a guy that builds campers for a MAJOR uk motorhome manufacturer told me that the most important thing in a camper is insulation and AIR CIRCULATION ....

[dianeibsen]

You are one smart dude! Where did you get your education for this stuff?

[muuubiee]

Wouldn't you want a vapor barrier around the sheet metal? Sure, maybe it's supposed to be completely non-porous, but if it's second hand it seems risky to assume that everything is completely intact. I also imagine the vapor barrier has a lower thermal conductivity than steel or whatever the outside is made of, so there'd be less condensation when it gets cold inside the insulation.

On the inside I suppose I'd agree, seems reasonable.

[perrymason]

My brother used to run a crawlspace mold mildew repair business. He put vapor barriers down in crawlspaces and then scrubbed all the wood and then sprayed the hell out of everything with killx or whatever it was called.

Could one use that spray on the walls of the van to prevent mold/mildew?

Seems like the best solution is to use wool to insulate, put up your decorative wall and once a year, take it all apart and clean the walls and put it all back. Probably replacing with new wool.

[gillianhalyk]

Ok so I get where you're going with this but I have a specific question. I'm in Canada in a climate with temps that go from +40c to - 40c over the course of a year. The trailer is made of sheet metal and steel ribs with a curve where wall and roof meet. Because of the extreme way condensation can occur between the cold metal and the insulation/wall would a vapour barrier with a exterior vent (the curve is going to be empty space which I could take advantage of as a pseudo attic) be a way around this problem? Currently gutting and rebuilding so now would be the time to do it.

[heidigoescamping]

What would you recommend for the floor? I was going to use PIR boards with wood batons and then use aluminium tape to seal it. I'm guessing don't use the aluminium tape so air can circulate? I have saved the ply lining and intended to use reflectix to go over the recycled plastic bottle insulation. I'm now rethinking after watching your video as it makes total sense NOT to add the reflectix and let the van breath. Thank you for making an easy to understand video. I'm just a bit stuck with the flooring now. Many thanks

[harveygo]

Hi! great video, I've been trying to get my head around all the information out there regarding vapour barrier and it hasn't really made sense. this has greatly helped. The only thing I can think of is would it help to completely cover the large panels in my van with acoustic matting to put another layer between whatever water vapour makes it through the walls? I intend of being in the van over winter and would like to reduce the potential for ice forming, but then I suppose dry heat would help this too..?

[AndreasEUR]

0:58 Yes, unless you seal that penetration when installing whatever you're installing.

[CB]

Agree. Today it's minus 4 Celsius in the Uk. I'm mid building my van. The uncovered ribs of the van are dripping wet, obviously, but the carpeted ribs were completely dry. Is there such a thing as making a dedicated dehumidifying surface? Obviously the windscreen is a natural contender but I have a bulkhead. I wonder if leaving the back doors uninsulated that all that water would collect there. Or would it be unnecessary once there's heating installed?

[DannyCoolBeanss]

Polyiso board, great stuff, and ac tape good enough?
Great vid. To the point, facts to back it up and you sound like Michael Rowe! 😁