I own/have owned vans with both concepts. Insulating a cab is impossible. Due to its large windows it is a major heat source in summer and always cold and wet in winter. Having a solid door between cab and cabin has one additional advantage. The cabin can be much better secured against break-ins than the cab. If you ever think about international overlanding or shipping this is quite relevant. But on a nice day it is great to sit on the comfortable turned front seats (much more comfortable than the dinette) and look out through the huge windows in the cab. Therefore my camper used in the first world as a 3 season camper has the cab integrated. My camper I used for overlanding in the 3rd world in all climate zones had a solid door between cab and cabin.
New kid on the block! AWD Transit with composite camper AEONrv
- Thread starter Victorian
- Start date
waveslider
Outdoorsman
When I did the cab insulation and and sound proofing project, the only metal I left exposed/uncovered were the reinforcement "struts" or ridges that run under the roof and sides sheet metal to form the rigidity for the cab - which are covered by the headliner. And then also the exposed metal trim around the doors, because those are actually visible when the door is open or closed.
In retrospect, I would have covered those struts with some of the sound matting because that would have prevented a lot of the condensation buildup. I didn't cover them because acoustically-speaking covering those struts doesn't do much but from an insulation/moisture barrier perspective it clearly does.
I'm very familiar with the soundproofing mats/rolls having used it for years and done many vehicles with it but - If we are really using hindsight 20/20 - since I had the cab completely torn down anyway, I wish I had used one of the new spray-on insulation and sound-proofing products like lizardskin or something like that.
I think that would have solved the problems I was wanting to solve - insulate and soundproof the cab significantly - while also solving the problem I didn't realize was as bad as it is - condensation in the cab.
If I ever find myself needing to take the headliner and side panels out of my cab again (god I hope not) I will probably add some matting and potentially fill in the struts with expanding foam.
Anyone that is considering tearing down their cab area to better soundproof and insulation - I would DEFINITELY suggest they use a spray-on product which will serve all purposes better.
In retrospect, I would have covered those struts with some of the sound matting because that would have prevented a lot of the condensation buildup. I didn't cover them because acoustically-speaking covering those struts doesn't do much but from an insulation/moisture barrier perspective it clearly does.
I'm very familiar with the soundproofing mats/rolls having used it for years and done many vehicles with it but - If we are really using hindsight 20/20 - since I had the cab completely torn down anyway, I wish I had used one of the new spray-on insulation and sound-proofing products like lizardskin or something like that.
I think that would have solved the problems I was wanting to solve - insulate and soundproof the cab significantly - while also solving the problem I didn't realize was as bad as it is - condensation in the cab.
If I ever find myself needing to take the headliner and side panels out of my cab again (god I hope not) I will probably add some matting and potentially fill in the struts with expanding foam.
Anyone that is considering tearing down their cab area to better soundproof and insulation - I would DEFINITELY suggest they use a spray-on product which will serve all purposes better.
If anyone is interested in seeing an AEONrv in person here is our 2022 event schedule.
https://aeonrv.com/events
https://aeonrv.com/events
We'll be at Overland Expo West 2022 hanging out in Total Composites booth (with think it is booth f20) with @Victorian on Friday afternoon, all day Saturday and Sunday morning. We'll be offering private showings of the AEONrv. Just reach out to us directly at sales@aeonrv.com or direct message us on social media if you are interested. We hope to see you there.
gregmchugh
Observer
Composite Panels Debunked? - Total Composites
Composite Myths DEBUNKED 1.) What others are saying: “Go with honeycomb panels!” What we say: While we understand the attraction to honeycomb- they are durable by design, we want to be clear with one of their biggest disadvantages. Honeycomb composites offer close to zero insulation. At Total...
totalcomposites.com
No silicone sealant used. Only a marine/industrial polyurethane adhesive is used to glue the panels to fiberglass pultrusions and to seal things up.
We are in production with our first models and here are some pictures of our custom class 3 steel hitch with 2" receiver, 7 pin tow harness and 2 recovery points. Max towing 4,500lbs or 3,500lbs at max GVWR. Hitch weighs 59lbs. Aluminum bumper brush guard bolts to the hitch and weighs 19lbs. Has license plate holder with LED light. All powder coated black.
I just saw one in person at the Revel van rally in Moab over the weekend. It is quite impressive in person and the garage is roomier than I expected. Winnebago was on site but unfortunately the Ekko they were supposed to bring was being used by a rep so I couldn't compare both back to back but having seen the Ekko last year, I think the AEONrv layout is superior, the garage appears bigger and it looks better insulated.
Quality wise it's hard to say as this felt like a prototype as some joints were missing the finishing touch and some drawers were finicky.
Were I in the market for a new rig this would be a top contender for sure.
Quality wise it's hard to say as this felt like a prototype as some joints were missing the finishing touch and some drawers were finicky.
Were I in the market for a new rig this would be a top contender for sure.
gregmchugh
Observer
First one is being delivered to a customer after a stop at Overland Expo East.
gregmchugh
Observer
The Total Composites box is definitely better insulated than the EKKO box especially with the cab being part of the living space in the EKKO. Entry way toilet/bath on the AeonRV is a definite negative for some and it is much smaller than the entry bath on an EarthCruiser for instance.