Simple & Effective Campervan Draught Solutions

[@MrDubery]

Good video John. I was just saying to my girlfriend about the draught we get from under our window blinds. She wasn't interested in this. So I made her watch your video. Twice.

[@GadgetJohn]

😂

[@angiekowalczyk4440]

Thankyou thankyou thankyou John for a very timely solution to the sliding door draughts! Like you I had used a length of pipe insulation, I even covered it nicely in fabric to help it last longer- and every bloomin' time I open the door I forget its there!😒 So it either lands in a puddle or blows off down the road. And you also have to find somewhere to put it when in and out of the van in the day. This is a much better solution. And bonus that my nicely covered piece of foam can find a new home in the back doors. win win.😍😍

[@dydeearcher4656]

Thanks John. Definitely learnt a thing or two and will put the ideas to use in my camper.

[@suziemc5291]

thanks for that John we have an old 2005 Kontiki which i am going to make the roof vent insulation for. our door need to be redone as the original plastic interior door cover and fly screen became brittle and Andy's elbow went through it when the wind caught it so we put a temporary interior on it but we intend to replace this summer. very informative as ever. love to you both and sending positive vibes xx. hope you don't mind the kisses but I'm spreading the love! ( I should have been a Hippie) 💕

[@tommo9757]

Hi John. Awesome tips mate. Thanks v much. I can't believe manufacturers don't do that door hack as a matter of course. Simple but effective! 👍

[@vivienne3757]

What a genius you are with these little tips, love how you repurposed the pipe cover, loving these videos😊

[@Flossy_tops]

Thank you John for passing on these great ideas… In fact it was only yesterday that we were discussing what we could do to prevent draughts and heat loss, especially the sliding door after those recent high winds from the last storm… So I’ve ordered the same foam for the skylight and sliding door from Amazon. Hopefully it will solve the problem 👍🍻

[@ramblingrosevanlife]

If you open window in sliding door and slide door so open about 1ft you can then pull door in towards you without the whoosh. I have seen people put a handle on the inside of sliding door. Great tip for for insulating against drafts

[@travelcampervansandmore]

Great tips! The draught from the back doors would be such an easy fix for manufacturers to address. Adria seem to be the only ones who have come up with a solution different to an optional thermal screen.

[@Feede.Mountain]

Thanks for the tips john, I do have a draft coming in from sliding door.. thanks,

[@timstradling7764]

Simple, easy solutions to issues we all endure. Ingenuity prevails 🤗 Nice one John 😅

[@rabc1966]

I have thought about using pipe lagging for the back doors of my Boxer, so to see you using this method has made my mind up.👍 Also good idea for the sky lights and side door. My rear sky light above my bed also rattles in the wind!🤦‍♂ I'll this. Thanks.

[@tonycooper6858]

Thx John for the side door tip,I've bin shoving rags down there,but forget they r there Wen opening the door,so I'm going to try your way,your help is much appreciated

[@JuanCarlosSendon]

So simple yet ingenious 👍🏻 hopefully I won’t get the draft coming up the side of our bed now. Thanks John.

[@wanderingsofalanandcaz]

Good video John. The only problem I see with the maxfan idea is the maxfan doesn’t actually circulate if it’s blocked which for us was the whole point. We leave ours on 10% ‘Out’ overnight and have no condensation as a result. Block it would to us have a negative effect. We’ve also definitely noticed the door slam issue that you mentioned as well with the more gaps you block up.

[@GadgetJohn]

When it’s been sub zero outside does the maxxfan being on extract not make your van much colder? Just having mine insulated has made my van so much warmer, so less money spent heating the van and I don’t have any condensation either, but I’m now seeing that’s likely due to not have any gas in the van.

[@wanderingsofalanandcaz]

@@GadgetJohn Swings and roundabouts I'm sure :-) TBH we haven't noticed it being any colder but then we've always done it like this. We did think previously about doing an idea a bit like yours but with a thin slit in the insulation panel that effectively reduced the gap by 90% or so. One thing we would say is that your cover idea or any one would significantly reduce wind noise which can be a real problem with maxair in blowy conditions.

[@GadgetJohn]

It prevents wind noise whilst driving too, which is important for me as one of my maxxfans is just behind me, so that’s been great.

[@christophermcrae3756]

Top tip's, the sliding door on our Globecar gets frikin freezing, not sure if there's any insulation in the door but definitely give that a go, cheers John 👍

[@stevebrown6665]

So impressed I did the foam in sliding door thing myself 😊

[@geoffcampbell7846]

Not being a winter van person, I actually like the slight draft that works in under the slider, and I think our previous K9 did too, but I appreciate your point of view and the effort you've put into sealing the van. I wonder if that's been detrimental to the condensation levels given the lack of air movement, or do the two maxair fans create some through air past the foam inserts? It's always interesting to see and understand how different people approach common issues, and your personal experience is most valuable nonetheless. Nice vlog, Cheers👋

[@GadgetJohn]

I’ve never had condensation problems, but I’m thinking that’s because I don’t use gas, don’t have a shower and I’m in and out of the van all day, so despite my seals & insulation I seem to have the right amount of air movement. The maxxfans with the foam inserts are pretty well airtight too. I love airflow too, when the weather is much warmer though 😎

[@petermurphy994]

Got to say john your ingenuity continues to impress me and budget conscious as always thanks mate very good solution to a common campervan problem.

[@Albert_206]

Hi John, Absolutely awesome simple but genius fixes!! Cheers, Albert

[@yaminthegrey]

Hari OM Perfect timing, John... have just been getting stage two of the interior design sorted in The Grey in prep for an early spring road trip and had been pondering that side door draught this very weekend! Ta. YAM xx

[@AndrewElliott-kb9uc]

Nice one John, was looking for ideas for side door cheers for the tip 👍🏽

[@alanthompson9956]

A way to get around the side door banging is to fit a handle near the top of the door. The idea is that instead of slamming the door quickly and noisily, you almost close the door slowly and then pull it in with the handle. So much quieter. When closing from outside don’t use the handle just put your hand at the rear end of the door, almost close slowly and then push in with just a click. I can’t find a way to include a photo so I will email you one. This is not my idea but is from a Vantage Facebook group

[@ramblingrosevanlife]

When I want to avoid the whoosh I open window in sliding door, slide door until open about a foot then put hands through open window and pull towards me.

[@GadgetJohn]

I’ve been using the window open trick too, no handle required then 😂

[@cdmtravels5723]

such research by you has given many a great way to save fuel/energy and keep us warm, well done great vlog

[@LeisureBit]

Some great tips there John, thank you for sharing - all the best David 👍

[@asaandthemarchharepart2903]

Fabulous tips there John. Thanks for sharing 👍

[@sallydavis1345]

Very interesting John. Good hints and tips. Thank you.

[@LeonandDebbiefromRugby]

Thank you very much for that brilliant idea , thank you very much cheers 👍😎

[@Ellie-we5rq]

Great tips. Thanks John!

[@doobiedootwo3517]

Brilliant - thanks John 😘

[@DA11NOON]

Great idea's John thanks Be safe

[@wevegonetouring]

Greetings from the Alps John, sound (😅) tips. I am currently using a piece of pipe insulation on my sliding door. Unfortunately, the double depth foam wouldn’t work for me as I have an OEM fitted fly screen so I’ll look at sticking the foam to the door on my return. Michael

[@isobelchapman9548]

Great wee tips John, thank you.

[@anyjimblogs]

Thanks for the video once again John. Great tips.

[@zuk4wd]

Good ideas John (as usual) but i have one now, would it be possible to stick this self adhesive 25x25mm to the door instead of the floor. That might help live longer. Since your hitting it by accident when entering the van.

[@GadgetJohn]

If you want the additional installation time & effort then stick it on the door, I wanted a very easy install and so far it hasn’t got in the way of getting in & out.

[@andrewjohnson9896]

Fantastic video, I've just ordered some foam.

[@spiritualmonkey3858]

Well done John top marks from me 😀

[@sapperubique4179]

cheers John great thinking

[@russho67]

Great betterments, I know the feeling of chasing the pipe lagging when it falls out ! Have you doubled up on the cab door seals and silent coat in the front doors yet? Also I find vehicle battery box let’s through a lot of noise up through the floor as not much noise deadening around that box where the battery is

[@ScottishVanTrips]

Awesome! Talking of storms, have you ever been worried about the van tipping in the wind? Ever seen it happen?

[@GadgetJohn]

I’ve never seen an overturned camper but if winds can blow trucks over then it’s all possible.

[@paulmillen1758]

Really good tips!

[@Defender200tdi]

The roof vents have fixed ventilation for gas safety. The literature states this.I had to quote this for the gas safety certificate on my self build. For people with gas you can seal up all the other draughts but leave the roof vents 👍

[@GadgetJohn]

That’s different for maxxfans, they’re open for the fan to produce airflow. Standard UK skylights do not have rubber seals, European models are built to far higher standards with rubber seals thankfully. I think British Gas safety requires the seals to be left off because the construction is so poor the gas always leaks 🤦🏼‍♂️

[@Defender200tdi]

@@GadgetJohn Mines a Fiamma. It gives the airflow measurement in cubic meters and explains it's for gas safety. Hopefully mine won't leak!! i built to spec and have had it certified for insurance purposes.

[@sueb8270]

Great, cheap ideas 👍😊

[@welshieonwheels]

Thank you great tips 👍like that foam well done good luck 👍👍👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🇬🇧🇨🇦🦢

[@getawaygeese]

Useful tips - especially the skylight having had the issue of heat escape and bellowing in the storm as we travelled Northern Ireland recently Have you any easy solution for the sliding door handles as we get a big draught - but only way so far is a piece of cloth and magnets but doesn’t look pretty - maybe your block foam may work I guess

[@anfieldroadlayoutintheloft5204]

good vid on channel keep up the cool ,vid on travels thanks lee

[@OurWedding2012]

Thanks John, great hacks. We are about to buy a 2nd hand Pannel van, manufacturer conversion (as we don’t have your skills). Another hack I saw on the Wee Red van channel, which I’ll try for next winter is to use bubble wrap in your front, single glazed windows to insulate and stop condensation. Have you tried that?

[@GadgetJohn]

I’m not sure bubble wrap is going to stop condensation as it’s contacting the glass, the best way to stop condensation is an air gap between the outside & inside.

[@jamieb158]

I get the same on my relay back doors so gonna do the same, also never noticed the pockets on the top of the doors...[runs off to ebay] 😆

[@ScouseAndy71]

Nice video John!

[@Pugwash.]

Good tips.

[@DunkfaeOotnAbootWiUs]

I know im a bit late woth the reply but i have a wee question John ...could you put a 12v electric blanket on the floor of the van ? Would it help heat the van up ? As you know the floor of a van is the coldest part 😊

[@mrdave4735]

hi John, nice vid😀, love the pipe lag idea for back doors, but your link takes me to a 60mm x 80mm size, is that really the size you used??

[@GadgetJohn]

Yes that’s correct.

[@RogersRamblings]

As ever, KISS rules. 😂

[@MarcelEling]

👍 dry nice tips

[@RickandHeather]

The sliding door hack is fab we roll a towel up but that’s a great idea, do you suffer with condensation blocking up the airflow at all?

[@GadgetJohn]

I don’t really get any condensation in my van

[@victor007ven]

😊

[@richardgate1571]

Nice sliding door draught excluder. Would it be even better stuck to the door so it’s not liable to damage / dirt from feet etc?

[@GadgetJohn]

That was far more complicated to do than stick it to the edge of the flooring.

[@fozzyfoster1652]

Great tips there john, already ordered my foam. Who do you and mandy insure your vans with ?

[@GadgetJohn]

We’ve just made a video about costs where we talk about insurances etc.

[@alanwalker8882]

Have you done any work on the cab area for drafts

[@GadgetJohn]

A little on the areas around the lower B posts where the rubber vents are, internally all the voids are full of insulation. The doors and the cab floor are insulated & sound deadened where possible. I do need to investigate a few areas of the bull head though as there are signs of draughts from that area, behind the clutch pedal area.

[@alanwalker8882]

@@GadgetJohn thank you for the info. I can see a project forming .

[@MarcelEling]

Was it needed to put the heater at the highest in the cold?

[@GadgetJohn]

My heater is thermostatically controlled, so I usually set it to 16° and it ramps the heater up & down to keep that temperature. In the coldest weather, around -12°, I found these mods in the video really helped keep my van warm despite the outside temps.

[@MarcelEling]

@@GadgetJohn The insulation works great

[@grf1426]

Be careful you don't suffocate in there!

[@GadgetJohn]

😂

[@Rob.1340]

👍👍🚐🚐😎

[@Marshy234]

Great tips, John where would one find your trousers? 😂 👍🚐

[@GadgetJohn]

In my cupboard 👍🏻🤷🏼‍♂️😂

[@Marshy234]

@@GadgetJohn🤣 ok I asked for that