I do construction work, remodeling mostly, and I like vans because you can lock them, organize tools in them and keep things reasonably dry. I also like my van. We have been together for years now, and I take good care of it.
My van still looks presentable. I repainted it a few years ago, and styles haven’t changed much. The brakes and engine have been redone and were giving good, dependable service. Why, then, was I getting an urge to spend money on a new van?
It was the noise. When I drove down a less-than perfect street — and Washington, D. C, has plenty of those — my van rattled like an old transit bus.
One day while getting a caulk gun from the back of the van, I noticed the support ribs were coming loose from the ceiling and the walls. The adhesive had given up. With silicone caulk and gun in hand, I filled all the seams, reattaching the van’s shell and its supports.
What a difference! I can carry on conversations now. And I can hear the radio. In fact, I’m thinking about getting new speakers.
—Bill Millard, Garrett Park, MD
Edited and illustrated by Charles Miller
From Fine Homebuilding #72
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Latex or Silicone?
Silicone "Might" be better but a Butyl works fine. The point is, Anything "Needs Maintenance" and Oil Changes, Brakes, etc. are what MOST People think about. Vans are Extremely Dependable, but ALL "Heavily Used" Machinery can use a "Little TLC"! A Little Caulk goes a Long-Way to Cutting Down Noise. So does a Little Lube (WD 40 works fine) in Hinges, Door Locks, Leaf Springs (a Little Oil is best there!), etc.
One thing's for Sure, the Better TLC you give your Vehicle, the Longer "It Works for You"!
PS: New Speakers are Definitely a Great Idea too!
As a Contractor, You have MOST of what's Needed to Keep your WORK Truck "Healthy" by yourself! ALL "Old Equipment" Gets better with a little TLC.
Also, use any leftover butyl flashing scraps and apply them to the inside van skin to quiet the resonating van skin.