ARE Aluminum Camper Shell Insulation

I have a fan-tastic fan and whenever I need to, I just turn in on. It also helps when ever its warm outside because it can pull in cold air if you have the reverse polarity fan option.

 

When I insulated my VW buses I added a vapor barrier over the insulation but I wouldn't bother with the shell. For starters, the VW was steel, not aluminum, it sealed up better (with the top down anyways) plus I cooked in it occasionally. The aluminum won't rust and using a non-water absorbing insulation should prevent problems unless your carpet gets wet and stays wet, but then you've got other problem.

I've never seen anyone use a vapor barrier inside of a skinned shell, even back in the '80s when that style shell was far more common; just foam board then screw a thin plywood cover over it. The smooth covering is far easier to clean but it's possible for condensation from respiration to build up on it (and drip on you), hence the flocking or carpet used in most campers, at least over the sleeping area.

It sounds like you have a great fan idea; I know some folks have used computer cooling fans in their builds since they typically draw so little electricity. Anything to circulate air will make it more comfortable, especially when it's hot out. If you plan to use a heater in the back you'll need a way to insure ventilation as well.

 

Thanks for the great direction. To give some better visuals the little shore power cover will probably be retrofitted with the fan and theres a 220w solar panel sitting on the rail. While its massive I got a screaming deal for it so fitting a fantastic fan may not work unless it's on the down sloped portion towards the front of he cap

 

Ugh, not sure what you could do about mounting that fan on the front. Face it one way and you risk having the wind catch it if you should forget to crank it all the way down, put it the other and you're probably going to get splash back when it's open and raining. I know they make some side vents for boats and RVs- a quick image search showed this too, https://www.dhgate.com/product/tytxrv-caravan-motorhome-trailer-side-air/523302458.html#seo=WAP, which looked kind of interesting and looks like it uses low voltage computer fans. Finest Chinesium quality with a side of corona virus but something like that might work on the side above the doors, maybe? I wonder how much whistling you'd get with it on the side too.

There are also the solar powered fans used on sail boats although in my experience the batteries that come with them don't last all night (usually one or two cheap Chinese rechargables). I bought one to install on my fiberglass shell but never got around to it. I did replace the battery with an eneloop and got better tun time but I still think it would have needed to be hooked up to another power source for all night use.

 

A catch 22 right? ultimately when i get a set up going and a couple years of experience welding aluminum, this is what I wouldnt mind creating out of my existing cap








Until then I feel as if insulating it and adding a fan at a time for ventilation / air flow would hold me over. After all I got this cap used for 425 bucks. Notice the green duct tape sealing off the hole that was existant from the previous owner lol


Also super duper appreciate the input about those side vent, could probably tuck it forward where the back window would normally sit. Seems like it would give me enough air flow.

 

couldn't you run the solar panel closer to the cab (over the slanted part) and run the fan towards the back?

 

ya potential for that, relocate some of my tie downs but an option, also what sits towards the back are my cables for the solar

 

Heck yeah, I'd have snagged it for the price too.

I've got that same thread tagged and saved a bunch of his pictures as well; shame he disappeared, I posted asking about updates a couple of times but I don't think he's been back. Did you save his drawings for the scissor hinge too? I've got it if you didn't.

 

I might of.. I did locate it on expedition portal BUT I'd be more than willing to accept your kind generosity in publication sharing!

EDIT: credit where credit is due, I stumbled upon his build thread on ExPo and found the PDF

Thread: https://expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/tacoma-aluminum-pop-up.137366/

Blueprints::https://expeditionportal.com/forum/attachments/camper-pdf-pdf.266432/

 

Not bad, I got mine for 400 too, you can also add vents if you’d like

 

Those are the same ones I copied.

 

https://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/trailscapes-06-tundra.140650/page-5 this is a great thread to follow. his camper is very similar to you and also he uses vents on his camper shell.

 

Better visuals on what I was referring to earlier. Only difference is the fan would be located on he interior of the cap. Need to decide if I want to draw in or push out. I know from some courses I've been apart of the drawing in to ventilate is much more efficient

 

Here's a little of what I've been up to since we last discussed. Opted with fan pushing hot air out since here are gaps where cool air can come in. And a R3.75 insulation

 

Looks good! How has it worked out? I just picked up a similar topper, and plan to insulate it.

 

@Manfred
Were did you pick up the cover for your fan?

 

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07K1SQ6JM?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

And just pushed the guts to the side.

 

Thanks !!

 

I appreciate thats such a great idea. Hows it been working for you?

 

No complaints what so ever just difficult with the caulking on the top, if theres a way to weather shield the top it would be better, but for southern climates it works wonders