Date:         Wed, 4 Dec 2002 13:09:53 -0700
Reply-To:     Andrew Fox <afox@CNR.COLOSTATE.EDU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Andrew Fox <afox@CNR.COLOSTATE.EDU>
Subject:      Re: cold weather insulation idea...
In-Reply-To:  <E4A951CA-07BF-11D7-AA90-003065C3F824@ipmts.ucsc.edu>
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII

I just finished making insulation "patches" for all of the windows in my
Westy.  I used the foil lined bubble wrap they sell at home depot.  I got
a huge roll for $40 that is enough to do all windows and the poptop.  On
the windows i glued pieces of velcro to the corners of the windows to
stick the patches on.  My most effective insulator though is a curtain i
made to seperate the front driving area from the rear living space area of
the van.  I bought a piece of opaque insulated fabric from a fabric store
and use vecro to attach it to the ceiling.  Isolating the large front
window area really makes a difference in the cold. It is dark grey and
also is very good for gorilla style urban camping when you don't want
people to know you're sleeping in your van.  I have a plat cat heater and
dual propane tanks and camp in my van almost every weekend during the
winter.  Winter camping is the best thing about the westy for me because
in the summer i could always just pitch a tent.

Andrew Fox



On Wed, 4 Dec 2002, Bill Kasper wrote:

> neil, i have thought about putting such a thing on the outside of the
> poptop.  get some of that nasa insulating foam bulley used (or other
> similar material) and make a cover for your poptop.  i've seen "plans"
> on one site or another.  it would keep the heat in (though not by
> reflection) with no more condensation, and perhaps less because the
> poptop surface wouldn't be cold.  imagine a big (pink, fleming) hat
> over the poptop when it's up, rolled or flatstored when its down and
> you're moving.
>
> best,
> bill
>
>
> On Wednesday, December 4, 2002, at 10:40 AM, Neil Wasbrikoff wrote:
>
> > It made me wonder ... has any one considered lining their pop top with
> > any kind of silver or gold reflective material (heck - in a pinch,
> > even aluminum foil might work) to help reflect heat for the coldest
> > conditions? It seems like a permanent piece could be created, or
> > perhaps a temporary version help in by Velcro or even snaps.
>