Bling my van - doing up van adviced needed?

[G]

Been playing about with me 'race van'.
A few questions if anyone knows about such things...
(For anyone that hasn't worked out the title is in jest, it is; I do not intend to purchase 28" chrome wheels, yet.)
I am outfitting it with some basic furniture and trying to make it a bit better to 'live' in, as I probably will be doing for 10% of this year, or so!

Ideally I'd like to ply line it, then fill the gaps between plywood and van with expanding foam for insulation.
However I really need to sort out some decent hooks/rails etc before I do that.
Any reccomendations on ply lining?
Also, was wondering about sticking some carpet straight on the metal walls, would this help insulation much?

As with many ex-builders vans it's been knocked about a bit, especially the doors.
A lot of these don't make great seals with their frames, letting in cold air.
Any easy ways to add in bigger/better seals?
I did try using some home door seal self adhesive strip things, but these weren't really substanational enough and I ended up with them stuck to me, instead of the door!

While we're on the subject - low wattage lighting for the van.
I do eventually want to get a leisure battery for it.
Either way, it'd be nice to have some lower powered lighting. Now that you can get quite bright LEDs, I was wondering about the practicality of this?

[Mrs Kickstart]

Hi,

https://www.bltdirect.co.uk/ do low wattage LED strips lights. I have not bought these but have bought other stuff from them.

For the doors would something like the finger protecttors work to keep out some of the draft as well
https://www.safetyassured.com/acatalog/Finger_Protector.html

Regards
C
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[map]

Only suggestion I can make regarding ply is go for marine ply. Failing that go for one marked as external use. The reason is it's treated differently and it'll give you a longer life. Believe also it'll be more hardwearing. However, ignore this if going for cheap and chearful.


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...and the whirlwind is in the thorn trees, it's hard for thee to kick against the pricks...
Gibbs, what did Duckie look like when he was younger?

[Hex]

[daz|n00by]

Use 1/8th ply for lining the van walls and attach using self tapping screw's at the van ribs, if you want to carpet the walls first use a cheap foam backed carpet (foam will add to sound proof and insulate) this can be attached by using spray glue for carpets, if you will be fixing hooks or rails on the van walls then before you cover with ply use sheet steel fixed across the van ribs in the area you will be hanging things, this will give you a good grip for self tapping screws.
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"Its Better To Burn Out Than Fade Away!!!!!!" "Lifes a bitch and then you Die"
"I`m a tool, one with just enough intelligence to know it, just enough spirit to resent it...but not enough backbone to do anything about it. " Siggi 2006 pure class.

[G]

I'm going to need some quite hefty hooks and such like to hold bikes, which is one reason I haven't done it yet.

It's definitely going to be a 'budget job'.
I've got some thinnish plywood for the job waiting in the garage.

The question about carpet was a too some degree as alternative to plylining etc for the insulaltion properties.

Cheers Charlotte.
Also found some direct replacement LED bulbs on ebay.

[kev]

If you need some hooks made for the floor to hold bikes down give me a yell and i will make some up for you.

Also if your after a leisure battery I can get you one cheap from work with my massive discount.
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20:02:36 Jammy-R6: any holes a goal
20:02:48 kev: even if its a hairy mans arse
20:02:56 Jammy-R6: hell yes

[kev]

Another thing you can do if you want to replace the seals cheaply is get some rubber water hose and screw it round where the seal should go, you may have to slam the door to shut it but it will be a tight seal.
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20:02:36 Jammy-R6: any holes a goal
20:02:48 kev: even if its a hairy mans arse
20:02:56 Jammy-R6: hell yes

[msgander]

my own personal suggestion would be a real log fire or failing that some kinda heating....

innit...........
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Always believe that your guardian angel flies a bit faster than you...............

[Hex]

[sickpup]

[hellkat]

Never underestimate the beneficial effects of zebra fun-fur for insulation purposes.

Low wattage mood lighting can be obtained by the application of rope lighting in multi-coloured chasing stylee.



tijuana hellkat
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Not nearly as interesting in real life.

[Zimbo]

If you've got the room to keep it, for the same money you'd spend on your van, get a cheap (£300 ish) old caravan. That's what we do and it's a LOT more comfortable. Cadwell park in the back of a van in October is cold, no matter how well it's insulated - I know this cos I tried it!!!

[G]

Kev: floor hooks I'm fine with, ta anyway (going to be having 3 bikes in there to start with).
Got an offer of a free leisure battery as well.
Door's are hard enough to close as it is, but I'll keep it in mind .

Sticky: Wanna get a diesel heater, but £££.

Zimbo:
Cadwell in October? Pah, that's tent weather.
Try Snetterton in Feburary:
Just after parking up:
https://www.bikechatforums.com/files/snowynight.jpg
In the Morning:
https://www.bikechatforums.com/files/clearingsnow.jpg

(And yes we did ride that day!)


Anyway, don't have anywhere to put a Caravan, or have a towbar (would have one otherwise ).

[sickpup]

[G]

[kev]

How about a gas caravan heater, you can get them for peanuts.

I may also be able to help you out with diesel, I know a pikey bloke who gets it for me for £90 for a 45 gallon drum (approx £190 worth of diesel in a drum)
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20:02:36 Jammy-R6: any holes a goal
20:02:48 kev: even if its a hairy mans arse
20:02:56 Jammy-R6: hell yes

[map]

[kev]

Nope its proper white.
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20:02:36 Jammy-R6: any holes a goal
20:02:48 kev: even if its a hairy mans arse
20:02:56 Jammy-R6: hell yes