The Lightest Sprinter Van Wall Panel | VAN CONVERSION TIPS

If you’ve been following along with my van build then you know that one of my goals is to keep my van as light as possible. One of my new favorite lightweight materials in this van build is a wall panel called Duotex.
Keep listening until the end to hear some other weight-saving techniques that you might want to consider for your next van conversion.
📖 Video Chapters
00:00 - Why lightweight?
01:08 - Duotex
03:15 - Weighing the Duotex
05:10 - Let's jump inside the van
09:29 - Other weight saving tips
🔗 Products
Duotex Wall Panels: www.richelieu.com/ca/en/categ...
▶BEST SPRINTER VAN WINDOW COVERS◀
wdrfl.co/vanlife-accessories
💸 HOW MUCH DID MY FIRST VAN BUILD COST?💸
wdrfl.co/van-build-budget
🚐 Van Build Guide
Check out my Van Build Guide: wdrfl.co/ytvbg
📹 Interested in More Videos? Click Here to Subscribe👇
wdrfl.co/ytsub
🌲 Follow Along!
Instagram (Van Build): wdrfl.co/wfig
Instagram (Scott): wdrfl.co/ytig
Facebook (Van Build): wdrfl.co/wffb
Facebook (Scott): wdrfl.co/ytfb
Twitter: wdrfl.co/yttw
Website: thewanderful.co
Shop: wdrfl.co/vanlife-accessories
📸 My Camera Gear
Main Camera a6500 - amzn.to/3aFZYqv
Most Used Lens - amzn.to/2Gkvnkx
Wide Angle - amzn.to/2Gkvnkx
Low Light - amzn.to/2urtj7H
Tripod #1 - amzn.to/38AJaQ8
Gorilla Pod - amzn.to/2TQkMWo
GoPro Hero 7 - amzn.to/3ayT3zD
My Drone - amzn.to/30Oqo4V
NDs For my Drone - amzn.to/2vcNl64
Camera Remote Must have for Selfies - amzn.to/2vhDv2Z
Video Remote - amzn.to/2NRCrZS
Video Mic - amzn.to/2Gj732k
External Recorder - amzn.to/30Lg5Pa
Cheap Video Lights - amzn.to/2NUxcc3
Small Softbox - amzn.to/2RjFbl8
Samsung SSD - amzn.to/36kAeww
Memory Card Wallet - amzn.to/37mTavV

[@lisamboes]

Great series on your weight-conscious choices. Thanks for passing along what you’ve learned.

[@LearningtheLines]

This is awesome. Thanks! I'll definitely use this for the inside of cabinet spaces.

[@underdog2400]

your the best!! seriously needed this stage in my build. weight is key!

[@wkwong80]

Great idea as always Scott!

[@a.w.thompson4001]

Fascinating! Thank you for the new ideas.

[@lorrainechircop4411]

Loving the Duotex. Great colour too... ❤️🇦🇺

[@stevel1451]

If you want to shed an enormous amount of weight use .9 and 1.2 mm 6061 aluminium sheet for cupboards, drawers and partitions.you can fold aluminium strips to form framework then fill with wool insulation. When finished cover with wrap.

[@apogeedesign4348]

I liked how your upholstered panels came out. But I loved how the Duotek ones looked like. So much so that I’ve now made every part of my Van, a Duotek wall, I was looking at different felts when I came upon your video and BINGO ! Now if you want to make this at a scaled up kind of way, We have a CNC equipped shop that’s also managed by a couple of Mexi-Japanesse geniuses down in Baja where we handcraft this bespoke kids bikes. we’ve been eager to start our own version of how a fully equipped but also Uber light Van should be designed.

[@user-fx1fq8li5m]

Thank you so much for making Videos on lightweight

[@marks-0-0]

On my van i used old 3mm ish plastic signage sheets salvaged from work. Plain white on the back, some flexible and some more rigid but very light. I used it behind and inside cupboards to give a finished look which were fixed by either screws or simply friction fitted. Also used as sliding doors in my upper cabinets. With panels being none trapped and flexible they give great access behind for inpections and updating systems.

[@manuelester7420]

I used an 8x4 sheet of coro-plast on my ceiling. Its like 2 pounds. Mold resistant too.

[@Taylor-made-tatts]

Your moustache + mullet combo is glorious. Like looking in a mirror

[@Dr.T_SCU]

Thanks so much for these videos. So helpful. Have you considered using these in all locations but gluing your 4-way stretch finish material to the duotex panels so you get the weight reduction but nicer finish? Wondering if that gluing process would even work.

[@user-io1gf3ix7h]

pne woodworker to another , fantastic video

[@ericsassaalders1079]

Love this information. Definitely gonna check this wall panel material. But how would you clean this material, when overtime it becomes dirty? Cheers

[@ironwooddesigns9532]

I set up a wholesale account with Richelieu and it was $500 for two 4x8 sheets of the stuff. Wow! I'm willing to try it, but yikes on the prices!

[@aminortuneup8408]

Wow this might be the solution I was looking for to cover my walls. Question: given the rigidity of the Duotek panels do you think they would work as ceiling panel too?

[@aminortuneup8408]

Also what is the best, really cleanest, way to cut these panels? Jig saw, utility knife, etc? Something that leaves a consistent clean edge.

[@tyeealpha]

PLEASE build those window covers for the transit. I am in Vancouver if you need a van for prototyping.

[@demonhogo]

i like the concept, but probably with a more affordable and insulating material

[@brianchetelat6601]

Thank you Scott for a bunch of great points concerning weight. Question, do you use 10 or 15 series 8020 (or equivalent) for your Galleys?

[@Makelifehappennow]

I use both of those inside my van To support shelving. The beauty of 8020, it’s not so much the flexibility and strength, but the ability to use all for surfaces. By that I mean, one surface attaches via plus nuts to the wall the top surface supports the shelves the front surface supports coat hangers that I 3-D printed and the bottom surface I put LED strips for under cabinet lighting

[@Makelifehappennow]

Another great video from your series. My only concern about this fabric is what happens in a fire. If for some reason there was an accident, and I was stuck in the van, would I asphyxiate on the fumes?

[@kawaiimisanga]

From the description on the website it says it's fire rated. Various rating depends on the thickness.

[@kijiexplorer926]

Wondering why you use ¼" plywood on your upholstered wall and ceiling panels rather than ⅛" plywood?

[@halfast88]

Good info. But i had to watch at 1.5x speed.

[@charlesshilling9017]

Could this be used for a ceiling in a ford transit?

[@LiviusMaximus]

Do you have foam under the material around the windows? And if you do, how the hell did you manage to stick it on those curves?

[@sheilad6237]

If you are cooking inside the van, will this hold smells, washable?

[@hiltonmd3]

Hi. I have been trying to purchase some Duotex for my offroad van conversion. Apparently, I cannot get it from Richelieu or Emblm. Do you know of any other sources?

[@warrenscorner]

How much does all of that 8020 weigh that you put into your build? I was thinking of taking my van to a certified weigh scale during different phases of the build.

[@ehcropydoc]

Can anyone help us buy these? We can’t seem to create an account with them.

[@jpmackin]

How about beefing up the suspension?

[@Makelifehappennow]

I was under the GVRW on my van, but Upgraded the rear suspension and added a sway bar. That made a world of difference.

[@Tom111060]

So you saved some pounds with DUOTEX - and added way way more than that in using 80/20 instead of fully wooden cabinets ?

[@greatcesarsghost]

Did u say it came in two colors. ??

[@advn2wheelsT7]

Great solution, unfortunately I will need to search for some other supplier since "A customer service agent may communicate with you to ensure you are a valid business operating in the industry. Richelieu is an importer and distributor who only sells to businesses.".

[@bobdebouwer7835]

Isn't this duotex just like simple cheap felt trunk liner, just a bit sturdier?

[@albertosalinas3612]

it looks like it, could also just use a stiff felt there are several materials as alternatives; how can this hick afford 100 a sheet?

[@markcollins7937]

Where can I buy this? I went to the Richelieu website but they require business and LLC information - doesn't look like they sell to individuals. Thanks in advance! This is exactly the product I need for behind cabinets where I was really puzzling over what do do.

[@apogeedesign4348]

How did you source it at the end Mark ?

[@preluded]

The only sites that have it for sale (finesthardware, thebuildersupply) seem to be scam sites. I literally can't find it for sale anywhere.

[@johnsharpe2351]

I'll stick to 1/4 luan plywood. A 4x8 sheet costs cost about $15. Full sheet is 10 pounds heavier but the Duotex is just too expensive.

[@davidse4486]

I ll save the weight by going on a diet

[@MarkMayhew]

Coroplast is $25/ sheet

[@jezzybass7660]

holy crap. its $195 per sheet before taxes and shipping. Thats a lot of money to us not rich people

[@tc.]

Where did you get the pricing information? I tried to create designer account and it doesn't show me the price..

[@tc.]

Same. Just curious where did you get the panel from?

[@cheeseontoastbrah]

Why more people dont focus on light weight is beyond me...nah lets just load the fuck out of it with timber and pointless stuff theyll never use.

[@AlmusFallow]

Website Garbo for the product tho