When you spend time inside a vehicle, it can get especially noisy. When you’re living inside one, you need to ensure that the surroundings are mostly peaceful. Soundproofing your campervan is crucial for a great living experience.

The chief contributor of noise in any vehicle is the metal sheets. They make up a large part of the structural noise as the soundwaves vibrate through them. The vibrations and resonance are your number one foe while insulating the vehicle part of a campervan.

Eliminating or managing noise is a tricky proposition that requires a combination of insulation and mass-loaded vinyl (MLV) fully encapsulating the space that is to be silenced. Partial noise can be eliminated by building a buffer between the noise source and the space to be quieted.

Where to begin

There is a fundamental difference between soundproofing an enclosed space and sound dampening. Soundproofing means that the room or the space is impenetrable by sound. On the other hand, sound dampening does not guarantee a hundred percent quiet space—Installing sound dampening products can significantly reduce the overall noise but does not eliminate them. Vehicles like cars and caravans use Sound-deadening as a technique for reducing vibration. Their chief purpose is to decrease structural noise and vibrations originating and resonating inside the automobile.

Material Required For Soundproofing Your Campervan

Sound-deadening coverage should be matched to the panels that actually resonate rather than treated as a fixed percentage for every van. The floor, wheel wells, doors, roof and broad body panels are all worth assessing, but they do not necessarily need identical materials or blanket coverage.

For help choosing between those different material roles before installation, see our RV soundproofing materials guide, which separates vibration damping, insulation, decoupling, dense barriers and sealing rather than treating them as interchangeable products.

If road and tire noise through the floor is the main problem, our van floor sound deadening guide breaks down the separate roles of damping mat, underlayment, optional MLV and the structural subfloor.

Sound deadening materials are used where there is already a pre-existing issue of limited space and overheating. The materials ensure that you have a smooth and comfortable drive. The perks of installing sound dampening materials are plenty.

Easily installed.
They are cost-effective, durable, and resistant.
Reduce the noise level inside.
Enhance your car’s inbuilt audio quality.
Available in different shapes and sizes.

Table of Contents

Dynamat

Choosing Dynamat isn’t just about picking a sound deadening product; it’s an investment in unparalleled noise control and vehicle comfort that stands the test of time. As a DIY enthusiast keen on effective solutions, you’ll appreciate Dynamat’s industry-standard quality, recognized by leading auto rebuilders. It’s a one-time setup with no future fuss needed – think of it as a decade-long peace and quiet guarantee for your ride.

Yes, at around $5 per square foot, Dynamat isn’t the cheapest option out there. However, its exceptional sound dampening abilities justify the cost. For areas needing heat insulation like firewalls and headlines, the thicker, slightly pricier products are your go-to, adept at quelling those low-frequency rumbles from your vehicle’s rear.

Dynamat’s technology evolution has slightly pushed its price upwards, a small price for the significant advancements in noise control it offers. The Superlite range presents a more budget-friendly alternative for extensive projects without compromising on quality. This range, while thinner, covers a larger area, making it ideal for vehicle floors or as an additional layer where needed.

Installation is a breeze. The Dynamat Xtreme version, with its butyl rubber and aluminum makeup, contours effortlessly to any vehicle surface, ensuring a snug fit without the hassle of odors or mess. No special tools are required, just your hands and a bit of patience. The result? A significantly quieter, more enjoyable drive, proving Dynamat’s worth as an investment in your vehicle’s performance and your comfort.

See the complete review and product listing here.

Automotive damping products such as SoundSkins, HushMat and KilMat are intended to reduce resonance of suitable metal panels. Their viscoelastic layers dissipate some panel vibration as heat; they do not make a panel impermeable to airborne sound. Choose a vehicle-rated product and follow its preparation, temperature and installation requirements.

Panel damping can reduce resonance and rattling, while road and tire noise may also require suitable decoupling, insulation and barrier layers. Products such as Dynamat are commonly used for panel damping, but there is no universal 25% coverage rule: the appropriate placement and amount depend on the panel, vehicle and product instructions.

Cheaper Alternatives for soundproofing your campervan

Low-cost peel-and-stick products vary substantially in formulation. Do not substitute roofing asphalt membrane for an automotive damping mat without verified vehicle suitability: heat, odor, emissions, adhesion and fire behavior matter in an occupied campervan. Prefer materials with documented automotive/RV temperature ratings and installation instructions.

Now let’s talk about the actual process of installing these materials and soundproofing your campervan. Place the sound dampening material directly onto the metal surface of your van. After attaching the deadeners, the insulations and moisture barriers come next. So following the proper procedure is crucial.

For the insulation and heat-control layer, one reflective-foam example is SmartSHIELD 5 mm R17 reflective insulation. Another is our SEALTECH 5 mm reflective insulation overview, which covers a polyethylene-foam and foil roll used for thermal control, moisture resistance and supplemental sound insulation. These products are better treated as insulation layers rather than as replacements for the vibration-damping material applied directly to the van body.

Applying sound damping

The application process depends on the material you choose. Most damping comes with self-adhesive, which makes it fairly simple to install. It functions on a peel-and-stick application method.

The challenge may be in the removal and re-installation of the panels. See my detailed post on applying sound damping.

Products to consider include Soundskins, Hushmat, and Dynamat. I’ve reviewed these in another post. You should have a look here at these comparisons to decide which product is best for you.

You should check your car’s manual first. For around $20, you can find a detailed version. The easiest way to find the hard copy repair manual for your vehicle is to select Repair Manuals by Make and Model. Or you can get an electronic version. They both have all sorts of instructions and guides, whether it’s for customization, maintenance, repair, or even simply just learning about the inner workings of a particular vehicle.

Clean Your Vehicle:

The first step to a sound-insulated vehicle is cleaning the interior of the car. You must remove any grease, dirt, or/ body panels beforehand. Moisture can become your enemy if it gets trapped in the layers. Make sure the interior is arid so that the material stays stuck. The water can inhibit the efficiency of the adhesive used for sticking the peel-and seal to the metal surface.

Measuring and Cutting:

For better coverage, sectioning your material and cutting them is an important step. You can easily cut most materials available with plain household scissors. You can also use a cardboard template to make the sections on the same side. For your wheel well and the vehicle’s floor, use smaller units so that when placed together, they can cover up the tricky areas as best as possible.

Peel and Stick:

The act of applying the deadeners is effortless. They come with powerful adhesives. So all you have to do is peel them off and stick them directly to the metal surface. Make sure that you don’t accidentally touch the adhesive, though. They are strong and can be irritatingly sticky.

Using Rollers For Making The Panels Flat:

The last step but not the least is using rollers to flat out your panels. Pressing with your fingers isn’t advised because the edges of the foil are sharp. Using a roller or something like a bottle to stick the adhesives and flattening out the panels is the best way to go. The undulations get smoothened out, and this directly results in the best possible sound insulation at your disposal.

Use only automotive- or RV-rated weatherstripping and sealants for campervan doors, windows and fixed interior trim, following the vehicle or conversion manufacturer’s instructions. Keep factory drains, weep holes, ventilation, door latches and service access clear. Household door gasket products are not automatically suitable for vehicle heat, vibration or moisture conditions.

Seal suitable stationary gaps in the campervan body

Inspect interior trim, panel joints and fixed penetrations for noise paths, but use automotive- or RV-rated materials approved for the substrate and operating temperature. Green Glue Noiseproofing Sealant is an example of a building acoustic sealant, not a universal automotive seam sealer; do not assume it is suitable for vehicle joints. Green Glue Noiseproofing Compound is a different damping product intended for use between rigid building layers.

Never seal factory drains, weep holes, ventilation openings, gas-appliance vents, door mechanisms or safety-critical seams. Address water ingress with vehicle-specific repair materials and consult a qualified converter for structural or safety-sensitive areas.

Vehicle curtains and insulated window covers

Properly secured campervan curtains or window covers can provide privacy, light control and some absorption, but ordinary blackout curtains are not a substitute for vehicle glazing and seals. Do not assign them a fixed STC rating or a guaranteed noise reduction without complete-system test evidence.

Choose secure, vehicle-compatible fittings; keep fabric clear of driver sightlines, controls, emergency exits, heaters and cooking appliances. Avoid loose cords or material that can interfere with safe driving. Our curtain guide covers ordinary indoor window uses.

What to do next

If you have decided which vehicle area to treat, use the installation guide specific to that area:

Start with the area where vibration or road noise is most noticeable, and follow vehicle-specific disassembly, electrical and airbag precautions before removing trim. Applying material to every area is not always necessary.

Wheel Wells – Not to be overlooked when soundproofing your campervan

A considerable amount of street noises enter through the wheel wells. They act as the inlet to exhaust noises, tires screeching and even houses made by the accelerators and the brakes. Covering up the wheel wells ensures that these noises get blocked off and soundproof your campervan. What’s more, the material also drastically decreases the vibrations produced due to these sound waves. The shape of the sound deadening materials might not be meant precisely for this purpose, though.

For curved wheel wells, select a flexible vehicle-rated damping product and cut smaller sections as needed. Do not heat adhesive sheets unless the manufacturer specifically directs it; uncontrolled heat can damage coatings, wiring or nearby trim. Keep drainage paths, service points and mechanical clearances accessible.

Conclusion

Thus as you can see, soundproofing or adding sound-deadening materials to your vehicles and campervans is a beneficial yet straightforward process. The materials are all ready for use and come with highly simplistic installation procedures. They are durable, resistant, and cost-effective. Not only do they reduce the structural noise and vibrations inside your car, but they also block out the external sounds from entering your space. So why wait when you can enjoy a better audio quality and have an overall smoother, more peaceful driving experience? Grab and soundproof your campervan today!

Good luck and happy soundproofing!