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Economics & quality of liner kits

13K views 11 replies 8 participants last post by  Roscoe 
#1 ·
I'm just ready to start sourcing and buying material for my wall and ceiling liners. I like the corrugated-honeycoam material used on the slider door, but, that seems to be proprietary. I bought my van from dealer stock, so, could not order the load area protection package.

The cheaper corrugated PVC stuff looks too flimsy. I don't care for the stiffer, transparent or translucent greenhouse stuff.

So, I favor the Celtec sign material. Yes, I'm fine with the plastic-industrial look. Wood would be a second choice. Then, you've got to do staining and/or sealing.

Either way, you've got to account for good structure and joints, likely working with standard 4x8 material. Material cuts for the ceiling are particularly problematic, with a 63-inch-wide by 11 1/2 foot ceiling space -- possibly with cover strips; and the fasteners. I do like the removable plastic fasteners, for the walls, at least.

I have seen the Inlad liner packages, which, at first, seem overly expensive. Anyone use these? I'm not entirely sure if it's more like Celtec -- foamed PVC -- or like cell-corrugated PVC.

Inlad lists 148 in. std. length MR wall kit at $832, includes all fasteners, and panel lengths do not limited to 4x8 = fewer ceiling joints, and better fit. Ceiling kit adds $466. Shipping would be $150, assuming I get both kits.

So, I'm looking at Celtec at ePlastics. 6mm for the walls (and maybe ceiling), 5 sheets walls + 3 sheets ceiling (with a lot of waste, unfortunately). Dark gray is $71.66 each. Light gray is $83.35, or $667.

The OEM-type plastic fasteners have previously been recommended to me, but, I can't find the fargin' post(s). I'd guess that 150 of 'em might be around $100. Then, I still need to figure out a fastening scheme and expense for the ceiling. And, probably would have to make joint cover strips.

So, light gray, $667 for Celtec sheets, guestimate of $100 for 150 plastic fasteners, and I'll throw in $30 for ceiling fasteners. Shipping of the Celtec adds $265 (though I might be able to hit up a sign shop to place an order, and eliminate shipping).

OK, walls & ceiling with Celtec = at LEAST $1062.
From Inlad, $1448.

So, the premium is $386 to buy from Inlad, with less frustration, and better fit and appearance. I'm thinking that's not so bad.

I don't have costs on doing it all in wood, so, anyone may contribute expenses, there.

The big problem is paneling the ceiling -- where to put the joints? Because there's nothing to attach to at the cargo-cab joint, it looks like you need to be running material lengthwise, where it will be held up by fasteners at 3 crossbeams. So, if you use a 4x8 that way, you will have either run thin strips lengthwise on either side, or a 12 or 13 inch strip running up one side. Then, a piece of about 2 1/2 feet x 63 inches, ahead of the back doors.

I'd like to hear what type of sheet layout, fasteners and joints anyone else has used for the ceiling!
 
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#7 ·
I like the way you think. But, living in a relatively small population center makes it less likely to succeed. And, I'd like to get moving on this, rather than wait several months to get someone coordinated.

That said... if anyone within some reasonable driving distance of Columbus, GA has the load protection package and would like to sell it (panels and fasteners), now is the time to let me know.
 
#9 ·
It is my intention, as I've posted earlier, to make patterns of my wall panels (148' tall, ext.) for use by the inmates on this forum. However, I'm still in the process of moving all of my belongings from Idaho to the Raleigh area(for now anyway) so I've not been able to undertake this project yet. I'm still needing to travel BACK to Idaho for another load, and a 7X16 enclosed cargo trailer.
 
#12 · (Edited)
Interior panels

I've used the homedepot PVC sheets for ceiling, $30-40 a sheet ,BUT ...I Riveted them up if you run a heater in your van ,for camping,I have catalytic heater, any metal that goes from warm interior ,to cold exterior..that is connected to,or fastened by metal, like rivets ,that touches cold exterior will condensate water! It will rain inside your van!
 
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