we just bought a 85 Bluebird Short bus pre converted to a camper and are currently re converting it for everyday life. We've run into the issue of insulating the ceiling and wanted to know what others had done! Any pointers?
The best thing you can do is read the various threads on the subject to make a determination for yourself. Try this search: https://www.google.ca/search?q=site:...O4aIjwPQuabQDw. After doing that search on Google you can click on "Images" to get a view of what people have been dealing with.
1. Do nothing and live with the heat/cold
2. Remove the inner panels and strip the old fiberglass (typically very moldy)...then...
3. Add new insulation...
a. Pink fluffy
b. aluminized heat shielding (aka...bubblewrap type)
c. rigid board (various size/R-value choices
d. spay on urethane foam
e. stuff with goose down
The general consensus is that urethane foam provides the best in insulation plus it greatly reduces noise.
There will no doubt be those here with more to offer based on real life experience so watch these pages.
One more trick...add a solid cover roof rack a few inches above the outer sheet metal. That way, most of your roof is always in the shade. Worked great on the old Range Rovers in Africa.
We are currently installing our new ceiling We started with a layer of 1/4 cork for sound. Then, added 1 1/2 of rigid board. Next furrowing strips and last wood panel. Still debating whether we are going to add another layer of cork to the back of the paneling! The difference in temperature between the metal supports and the rigid board is amazing. We also painted the roof with the elastomeric paint. Verdict is still out whether all the layers are worth it or not!