Sound deadening your campervan: everything you need to know
Sound deadening your camper van is an important step in the insulation stack if you value peace and quiet. Unlike a car, commercial vehicle manufacturers rarely use acoustic dampeners. It’s seen as an unnecessary cost in new vans when typically the owner of the vehicle is not the one driving it. This is due to the majority being commercial fleet vehicles.
Thankfully it’s an easy process to improve both road and parked noise using the right materials to dampen the vibrations and absorb the sound.
Do you need sound deadening in your campervan?
If you’re aiming for a quieter, more comfortable experience in your campervan, sound deadening is an essential step to consider. Campervans, by their design, amplify noise, turning everyday sounds into a distracting roar.
Sound transfer occurs as a result of airborne and structural borne noise (raindrops on the roof, engine noise, tyre roar, etc). The sound wave strikes the exterior wall of the van and the pressure variations cause the wall to vibrate. This vibrational energy is transferred through the wall and radiated as airborne sound on the other side. Essentially, your van acts as a massive drum!
An empty van without sound deadening driving at 70mph is perceived as being three times louder than a car driving at the same speed.
Employing sound deadening techniques should effectively enable you to achieve a similar sound level to that of a car. There are a few strategies to dampen both airborne and structural noise in your van. Each of which will require you to apply the sound dampening material in different areas depending on what is most important to you.
Sound deadening sheets.
How does sound deadening work?
Sound deadening material works by adding mass to the panels of your van, which reduces structural resonance and absorbs vibrations. Most dampening materials for this application use synthetic or butyl rubber with an adhesive backing and an aluminum top layer.
There are several different options available but they all share similar installation logic of sticking the deadening material to the centre of each panel, filling roughly 30% of the area. You should be able to hear the difference straight away by tapping a panel first without the material ad then again with the sound deadening, the tinny clunk is dramatically reduced.
If road noise doesn’t bother you much but you want a quieter space in the back of the van, start by applying sound deadening strips to the walls and ceiling. Adding sound deadening to the floor offers minimal benefit in this case, as most noise comes from the sides or above. The floor is the van’s most rigid area and becomes even more stable with the weight of added components, so it vibrates far less than the walls or ceiling.
Installing an insulated bulkhead as part of your van layout will dampen much of the noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. So if you are concerned about driving noise, you can concentrate your material placement within the cab. To do this you will need to remove the fascias on the doors, ceiling and floor. Then you can apply the dampening material directly to the metal surface of the van.
Exterior sound-proofing
If you don’t plan on installing a bulkhead as part of your van layout, you will need to consider other sound deadening options. Rubberised undercoating is an effective way of soundproofing the underside of your van. This comes with the added benefit of protecting against rust and debris. This can be achieved with rubberised spray cans and an afternoon under the van. Alternatively, several companies offer this service if you don’t have a vehicle lift or fancy getting covered in rubber spray whilst wedged under your van!
Generally speaking, fitting narrower and softer tyres is the best option to reduce driving noise. However, you need to remember you will potentially be driving a heavy vehicle in all sorts of conditions, so sound shouldn’t be the only consideration.
The noise from your tyres is created primiaerly from air getting trapped between the rubber tread and the road surface which causes the air to decompress, making a small popping sound. This happens multiple times each second, so it ends up sounding lijke a continuous hum coming from your tyres. A quiet tyre is expected to make arounf 68dB, while big chunky off-road tyres may sit closer to 74dB.
If you’re unsure what materials to choose, check out our full insulation kits in our webshop—they include sound deadening sheets and everything you need to get started:
Wiring diagram included
How to install sound deadening
Installing sound deadening in your campervan is a relatively straightforward process that can help to significantly reduce noise. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
You’ll need:
- Sound deadening material (e.g., butyl mats like Dodomat)
- Degreaser
- Clean cloths
- Utility knife or scissors
Prepare the van
- Remove any existing floor, lining and other items that obstruct access to walls, floor, and ceiling.
- Use degreaser to remove dirt, grease, and dust. Clean surfaces ensure the sound deadening material adheres properly.
Apply sound deadening mats
- Focus on areas that experience the most vibration, like the doors, wheel arches, roof, and side panels.
- Measure and cut the mats to fit the sections you’re treating.
- Peel the backing off the mat and press it onto the surface.
- Aim to cover 30% of each panel for effective results, full coverage is not always necessary.
Now you’re ready to move onto the next stage of the insulation process!
How to convert a campervan
Want to know exactly how to convert a campervan? Our 331 page bestselling book, The Van Conversion Bible, covers all aspect of a van conversion. From planning your layout to a step-by-step build guide.
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