5 Lessons from Building our Camper Van (3M Thinsulate Installation)

[@SchoandJo]

🪚 In-depth Van Build Articles: schoandjo.com/van-build 💌 Want to keep up with us in real time? Sign up for our weekly email to be filled in our current adventures. schoandjo.com/sunday-summary Thank you for watching!

[@flutetubamorg]

Y'all are learning the concept of "Slow is fast" that was drilled into me as a Navy mechanic. It's often better to proceed through a process very deliberately (especially when new to a task) to ensure you only have to do it once. Rework is SUCH a drag and demoralizing. You guys are kicking butt, keep it up!

[@SchoandJo]

Thanks so much! Honestly its challenging to understand how "slow" is fast! It's like if we go too slow its analysis paralysis and nothing gets done but if you go to fast its double the work or worse... trying to toe the line!

[@suzanneaydelotte801]

The insulation looks fantastic! The van is going to be beautiful!❤

[@SchoandJo]

Thanks so much, Suzanne!

[@joulemine]

The lesson I learned about insulating a camper is: Unless the inside and outside temperature are different, the insulation is a waste of time. What I mean is, if you're following nicer weather and have the windows and vent fan running. The insulation isn't doing anything 😂. Been a rubber nomad since 2018, now looking at boats for the loop 🍻

[@SchoandJo]

Nice, good luck finding your Loop boat!

[@franksky3664]

Similar thoughts I've had a small cargo van since 2015 that I take from New England to California and around and return in April. I've come to the same conclusion regarding insulation. Unless you're really in an adverse climate where your heating or specifically cooling then why bother. I did put thinsulate in and maybe a dampens the noise. I'm about to upgrade to a RAM ProMaster but going through the same thought process again. Simple simple simple. For me it's a bed on the road with windows a solar panel and a fan

[@lesterwicklein717]

great job, can't wait to see the wiring and battery setup!

[@SchoandJo]

Thanks!! Hopefully coming next week 🤞

[@bl_leafkid4322]

Great job. Lookin good

[@SchoandJo]

Thanks!!

[@bobmiller1973]

Great video. You guys are awesome. Can't wait for the next video.

[@cmichaelhaugh8517]

Lookin’ good!

[@Catalina58601]

I'm going to keep this simple, Good Job! Oh and tell your supervisor I said Hi!

[@SchoandJo]

Haha, thanks Lynn! ❤️

[@billparlett3367]

Suggestion: To protect the floor during the build, consider covering it with "Red Rosin Paper." It can be cut to fit and secured in place with weights and / or painters tape. It's available at Lowes. Home Depot, etc. Cheap Insurance!

[@SchoandJo]

That's a great recommendation, Bill - thanks!

[@Artist_Kevin]

12:26 very impressed there wasn't Blo od during the metal cutting process... Unavoidable for most.

[@davidkrull4501]

Thank you

[@doncritzer2798]

FYI....acetone is glue remover in case you got it on floor or wherever 😊

[@SchoandJo]

Thanks, Don!

[@doncritzer2798]

Scho does the research.....Jo does the work...Ollie part time supervisor 😅😂😊

[@SchoandJo]

😂😂

[@dshuck]

I am just about to buy a 144 high roof kit, but in watching this I am kind of surprised they don't provide materials to fill all the voids. Not having any windows, I won't have any extra materials. I guess now I need to consider whether I need to buy another roll just for that. Any thoughts?

[@SchoandJo]

Good question! You're right, without any windows you wouldn't have the capability to fill in any weird crevices. Our first inclination is that yes, buying an additional roll could be a good idea, or you could buy their scrap bag! (affiliate link here). This should be good for all the crevices, and it could be cheaper than buying a roll, but we didn't need it as we had extra. Cheers! go.schoandjo.com/s/3m-thinsulate-scrap-bag

[@robertkelman9924]

I have watched most of your Great Loop videos and all of your van build videos. I am a boater based in Chicago. When i left my boat in BURNHAM Harbor yesterday and walked to the boater parking lot, parked there was a very new white van with Florida plates and the word PIVOT in large letters emblazoned on both sides. It had a rooftop AC device on the roof and custom windows. However, it was a RAM brand not a Mercedes. Is this yours?Coincidence? I took photos but don’t think i can upload them here.

[@SchoandJo]

Haha, I think that is a coincidence! We will probably not put Pivot in big letters on our van, just to somewhat fly under the radar, haha. Thanks for sharing!

[@gregoryhofer1192]

I see that the floor edges are still left open at the rear door and assume at the side door and where the floor ends by the front of the van. What do you plan to do for these areas in the future?

[@SchoandJo]

Good eye! We will be covering that with some nice metal trim! We will probably hit that when we get to some of the beauty work later in the build 😁

[@skipperdave5794]

Hi, wäre Amaflex nicht besser gewesen?

[@SchoandJo]

I don’t think so, the insulation R value of thinsulate seems to be much higher than Amaflex! Why do you suggest it?

[@skipperdave5794]

@@SchoandJo Wir haben das in unserem Boot genommen und sind voll zufrieden.

[@SchoandJo]

Nice!

[@spinpop01]

You said "5 things we've learned building our van so far", but the graphic left off the "far"

[@SchoandJo]

Wooops! Good catch!

[@Artist_Kevin]

"Slower Than Pro" ... Doing it right the 1st time fo sho.

[@SchoandJo]

Thanks so much, Kevin!

[@doncritzer2798]

Dang I need an electric caulk gun.......I own a wood boat

[@SchoandJo]

Haha so helpful

[@jessejamison3994]

More work less talking.

[@SchoandJo]

More positivity less criticism!

[@wk845]

Their videos are narratives. That means talking. Nice job Jenn!