Home on the Road
An RV is your home on the road, and a lot of times, you want your home to have some peace and quiet.
When you are travelling to your next destination, noise from the engine and road noise can detract from your enjoyment of a scenic drive. Soundown has solutions for both of these issues.
To reduce engine noise, you need to create an acoustic barrier between the engine and the interior. Soundown’s Vinyl/Foam composite absorbs and blocks noise from the engine before it can travel into the living areas. This material is available from 1/2″ to 3″ thick. If the space is available, go for the 2-3″.
IndustrialBest bet: 2″ 2lb
While the engine compartment is a confined area with an obvious path for the noise, road noise is a bit more complex. The rotation of the wheels, less than smooth road surface, and other sources excite the whole floor of the vehicle, allowing noise to radiate into the spaces you wish to enjoy. Soundown’s Premium Carpet Underlayment is an easily installed and effective solution. This material is laid under the carpeting in place of standard carpet padding to block structureborne and airborne noise.
Best bet: 1/2″ 1lb
For areas with hard finished flooring, you will need a different type of solution. Because it is not possible to use a soft padding under these types of floors, we suggest our Vibration Damping Sheet. This product is glued to the sole (below) and flooring (above) where it will absorb the acoustic energy in the structure before it can radiate to the interior.
Best bet: 1/4″ Damping Sheet
Once you reach your destination, especially in more scenic and remote locations without hook-up facilities, the generator becomes the biggest source of concern. Fortunately, there are a few small steps that can make a big difference. The first step is to insulate or improve the insulation inside of the generator compartment. Like the engine compartment, noise from the generator comes through the common walls into the interior of the coach, therefore, the treatment is the same. Soundown Vinyl/Foam Composite installed on the walls and roof of this area will block and absorb noise from the generator.
Best bet: 2″ 2lb
While the insulation treatment above is highly effective for blocking airborne noise, there is also a structureborne component that should be dealt with when you are seeking the lowest possible levels of noise. Structureborne noise results from vibration from the generator that travels through the frame of the vehicle and radiates into the cabin. Note: You will probably not be able to feel this type of vibration because the audible spectrum has very little overlap with the frequencies we can feel. Soundown offers a range of vibration isolation mounts that are highly effective at isolating generators of all sizes. We can help you choose an option based on the size, weight, and installation style of your system. Please have the generator specifications and some pictures available so we can help you choose the best option.