|
04-16-2020, 11:54 PM
|
#1
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Chateau 23U
State: North Carolina
Posts: 106
THOR #18547
|
Doghouse Insulation
I was quite surprised to find out how extremely loud the RV got traveling down the road, particularly once speeds exceeded 45-50 mph. Could not hear the radio and could barely have a conversation with my wife.
Using an app on my iphone, I determined that I was averaging 95db at 65 mph. This is loud enough to cause hearing damage. I ended up driving with earplugs just to make things bearable and safe.
I searched the forums, found that this is a common complaint and found several solutions. I went ahead and ordered some Dynamat from Amazon.
Arrived yesterday, installed today. Just waiting for the chance to get on the highway and take some new measurements and will report back at that time.
Thank you.
__________________
James G.
2017 Thor Chateau 23U
Ford E450
Charlotte, NC
|
|
|
04-17-2020, 11:11 AM
|
#2
|
Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Thor outlaw 38MB
State: Florida
Posts: 70
THOR #18251
|
Dynamat mat or FATMAT : I used FATMAT stuck it over existing doghouse insulation and also put it on -from underneath- cab floor boards and wheel wells . Made huge difference to my ears.
__________________
Into the great wide open,under them sky’s of blue
Outlaw 38MB
|
|
|
04-17-2020, 01:21 PM
|
#3
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Florida
Posts: 1,241
THOR #1249
|
Looking forward to your numbers on the sound. I think you will reduce it considerably with the insul. in the doghouse. There are other steps also as mentioned that will help a lot. If you do a search on forum you will find various ways to reduce sound limited only by $$ and time.
I am still trying to improve my kit build going on 5 years now.
__________________
Former owner of 2015 Thor Vegas 24.1 in Ocala
|
|
|
04-17-2020, 08:27 PM
|
#4
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2017 Axis 25.4
State: Arkansas
Posts: 2,669
THOR #12231
|
Yep, I have seen a significate drop in temperature and sound levels after I used Dynomatt / Fat mat (Used two diff type of insulation... Used the Thinner + Denser type then covered with the Thicker 3/4 inch foam with aluminum backing).
I also insulated the entire firewall (from under the hood) and the underside of the Dash of my Axis (from under the hood), and under the cockpit floor area for a few feet. Im very happy with the sound levels now. Much easier to live with. Now I hear the wind noise from the mirror and side windows that I never heard before.
I have triple layers where I can get away with it. The more the better IMO.
__________________
2017 Axis / 25.4: Big Foot Levelers, Aims 1200 Watt inverter, Ceramic Window Tint, Full River AGM 6V batteries, Front Hellwig Sway bar / Rear Track Arm, Safe T Plus Steering Stabilizer, PD 4655 converter, Hard Wired Surge Guard, WEboost + WiFi Ranger, LED Headlights/Driving lights, TPMS, Surge tank, Tornado flush, Viair Compressor
|
|
|
04-20-2020, 12:09 AM
|
#5
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Chateau 23U
State: North Carolina
Posts: 106
THOR #18547
|
Holy smokes! Whatever you are doing now, STOP, order the Dynamat and insulate your doghouse.
Finally went for a ride in the RV today and the reduction in the noise level was amazing. I was going 70mph on the highway and didn't even realize it as I was able to have a conversation with my wife without having to shout.
A much more pleasant driving experience.
On a technical note, the iphone app really did not show much reduction in db. Not sure why that is the case.
As others have stated, it is unbelievable that the factory does not add this insulation.
James
__________________
James G.
2017 Thor Chateau 23U
Ford E450
Charlotte, NC
|
|
|
04-20-2020, 03:19 PM
|
#6
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2017 Axis 25.4
State: Arkansas
Posts: 2,669
THOR #12231
|
Yeah I guess Ford is saving money on the Cutaway chassis (C Class) and THor is saving money on the Stripper chassis (A Class) but NOT adding insulation.
But IMO the customer satifation of the Thor products would go up greatly if they would add some insulation (esp. in the dog house area).
Heck Thor could have an option of "Super Quiet Ride" for like $1000 more and many of us would pay for it. But I would expect significant insulation like I have done to mine (under Dash, Firewall, Dog House, Under my feet etc).
__________________
2017 Axis / 25.4: Big Foot Levelers, Aims 1200 Watt inverter, Ceramic Window Tint, Full River AGM 6V batteries, Front Hellwig Sway bar / Rear Track Arm, Safe T Plus Steering Stabilizer, PD 4655 converter, Hard Wired Surge Guard, WEboost + WiFi Ranger, LED Headlights/Driving lights, TPMS, Surge tank, Tornado flush, Viair Compressor
|
|
|
04-25-2020, 06:48 PM
|
#7
|
Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: chateau 23U
State: Florida
Posts: 60
THOR #1241
|
I ordered my 23U on a Chevy Express platform and it's very quiet and the doghouse does not get hot. The doghouse is much better insulate. The Express is slightly longer and affords much better foot room.
This is the second Class C I've ordered with the Chevy.
I don't know why GM doesn't promote their cutaway chassis more.
Quote:
Originally Posted by JGallagher
I was quite surprised to find out how extremely loud the RV got traveling down the road, particularly once speeds exceeded 45-50 mph. Could not hear the radio and could barely have a conversation with my wife.
Using an app on my iphone, I determined that I was averaging 95db at 65 mph. This is loud enough to cause hearing damage. I ended up driving with earplugs just to make things bearable and safe.
I searched the forums, found that this is a common complaint and found several solutions. I went ahead and ordered some Dynamat from Amazon.
Arrived yesterday, installed today. Just waiting for the chance to get on the highway and take some new measurements and will report back at that time.
Thank you.
|
__________________
|
|
|
04-25-2020, 09:17 PM
|
#8
|
Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Texas
Posts: 9
THOR #4602
|
Approx. how many square ft. did you use?
__________________
|
|
|
04-25-2020, 09:20 PM
|
#9
|
Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Freedom Elite 23H
State: Florida
Posts: 19
THOR #12935
|
[QUOTE=JGallagher;231080]I was quite surprised to find out how extremely loud the RV got traveling down the road, particularly once speeds exceeded 45-50 mph. Could not hear the radio and could barely have a conversation with my wife.
Using an app on my iphone, I determined that I was averaging 95db at 65 mph. This is loud enough to cause hearing damage. I ended up driving with earplugs just to make things bearable and safe.
I searched the forums, found that this is a common complaint and found several solutions. I went ahead and ordered some Dynamat from Amazon.
Arrived yesterday, installed today. Just waiting for the chance to get on the highway and take some new measurements and will report back at that time.
Thank you JGallagher. I appreciate you sharing this information. I have the same noise problem with our 2017 Freedom Elite 23H. We drove to Moab, Utah in 2018 and we would just stop to give our ears a break. I will order it and put it on since there isn't a whole lot else do these days. I am sure it would not affect the engine's temperature. Again, thank you so much and eagerly await your reporting back the results.
Martin
Ocala, FL
__________________
|
|
|
04-26-2020, 11:09 AM
|
#11
|
Member
Brand: Still Looking
State: Indiana
Posts: 34
THOR #6252
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by JGallagher
I was quite surprised to find out how extremely loud the RV got traveling down the road, particularly once speeds exceeded 45-50 mph. Could not hear the radio and could barely have a conversation with my wife.
Using an app on my iphone, I determined that I was averaging 95db at 65 mph. This is loud enough to cause hearing damage. I ended up driving with earplugs just to make things bearable and safe.
I searched the forums, found that this is a common complaint and found several solutions. I went ahead and ordered some Dynamat from Amazon.
Arrived yesterday, installed today. Just waiting for the chance to get on the highway and take some new measurements and will report back at that time.
Thank you.
|
Looking forward to how the installation worked.
__________________
|
|
|
04-26-2020, 11:23 AM
|
#12
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Freedom Traveller A27
State: North Carolina
Posts: 2,407
THOR #17765
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by jbwilli1
|
Did you just stick this stuff up directly onto the surface exposed to the road? I thought about this but wasn’t sure it would stay stuck exposed to the elements inside the wheel well. I was scared ir it came unglued going down the road it would tear something up.
__________________
|
|
|
04-26-2020, 01:12 PM
|
#13
|
Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 27.2
State: Texas
Posts: 81
THOR #12722
|
sound proofing
I'm looking at doing that to the underneath, but was wondering how well it would hold up to the elements like water and road other stuff that fly's up and hits it
__________________
|
|
|
04-26-2020, 02:02 PM
|
#14
|
Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Thor outlaw 38MB
State: Florida
Posts: 70
THOR #18251
|
I can only speak to “Fat mat” product as that’s what I have used. The exposed side is like an aluminum tape it’s thick. So far with less then 300 miles I see no visible adverse damage to the fat mat I applied in top of wheel wells. To my ears it has made a big difference to the noise level inside when driving. My next project with it will be to line the compartment the generator is mounted in.
__________________
Into the great wide open,under them sky’s of blue
Outlaw 38MB
|
|
|
04-26-2020, 03:23 PM
|
#15
|
Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Vegas 27.7
State: North Carolina
Posts: 65
THOR #16745
|
In Fayetteville also
Hello, we are in Fayetteville also and are new owners if a Vegas. Would love to connect and learn more about your mods.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Long & Winding road
Yeah I guess Ford is saving money on the Cutaway chassis (C Class) and THor is saving money on the Stripper chassis (A Class) but NOT adding insulation.
But IMO the customer satifation of the Thor products would go up greatly if they would add some insulation (esp. in the dog house area).
Heck Thor could have an option of "Super Quiet Ride" for like $1000 more and many of us would pay for it. But I would expect significant insulation like I have done to mine (under Dash, Firewall, Dog House, Under my feet etc).
|
__________________
|
|
|
04-26-2020, 05:11 PM
|
#16
|
Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 27.2
State: Texas
Posts: 81
THOR #12722
|
Thanks for the info.
__________________
|
|
|
04-26-2020, 07:32 PM
|
#17
|
Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Quantum WS31
State: Texas
Posts: 9
THOR #18253
|
Road noise
I have a 2018 Thor Quantum 32W and the road noise was bad started looking around and the floor 3 inch drop between the Thor body and Ford cab had a half inch OPEN gap between the two bodies that was only covered by a 3 inch strip of carpet. Quality workman ship. Dynomat great on that and the entire floor in the cab
__________________
|
|
|
04-27-2020, 01:10 PM
|
#18
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Chatea 31E
State: Maryland
Posts: 453
THOR #5837
|
I insulated the doghouse in my 2018 Chateau with Dynamat, and it helped, but it wasn't a huge difference. I think adding insulation above the engine would also help. There is a metal sheet between the engine and the dash, and adding insulation on that might help.
My next project will be to add insulation to the floors and firewall inside the cab.
__________________
|
|
|
|
Thread Tools |
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
|