Van Color

[akrvbob]

Bob Wells recommends in the heat only using polyiso. http://www.cheaprvliving.com/heating-insulation/understanding-insulation-van/

You misunderstood, if you are only concerned about heat, or mostly concerned about heat and cold is no big deal, I don't recommend Polyiso, just use Reflectic with an air gap. 

The Reflectix will reflect out some of the heat but let the heat out at night. 

If you are concerned with cold, use Polyiso and not Reflectix.

 

[ValerieP]

What if a person wanted to insulate for cold and hot? I used some insulation that came in sheets from Lowes in my cargo van- I think it was a decent barrier, but without a fan in the southern 80's or a little heater during what I thought was cold Maine rainy June days, we were a bit miserable...

 

[akrvbob]

Even well insulated you are still going to need a heater. You will just need it less and be more comfortable with it on. Same with heat but it will stay hotter longer into the evening with insulation.

 

[ValerieP]

I watched the video about insulation and what you said about Reflectix with a gap for hot and insulation for cold, but what would you do if you were going to sleep in your van in the heat of Nevada in August and the cold of Nevada in the winter?
Thanks!

 

[Gideon33w]

The nice thing about having a white van here in Arizona is that I coated the roof of mine with a highly reflective coating (which typically comes in white) and it isn't noticeable unless you're right on top of it. The temperature difference in July is massive too. All vehicles will get hot here. The speed at which the vehicle gets hot and the ability to use something like an elastomeric roof coating probably makes the biggest difference. During the morning and evening the temp difference between the coated roof and uncoated hood was big. Couldn't leave my hand on the hood but the roof was just warm. Even at noon, the roof got hot but never so hot you couldn't leave your hand there. While the hood would burn you. - Lastly, white vans just blend in better.

 

[Dave06]

The expense notwithstanding, it seems the concern of heat transfer is another good argument for a fiberglass high top, even a relatively short one. Has anyone noticed a significant before/after difference with a high top? Thermal conductivity of fiberglass is much lower than steel. Of course, the additional air volume would help too.

http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/thermal-conductivity-d_429.html