Adding Furring Strips In Your Van Build

First things first: What in the hell is a furring strip?

A furring strip is an essential element in your camper van conversion that helps create a sturdy framework for attaching interior materials like plywood, paneling, or insulation to your van's walls or ceiling.

When it's time to mount those wall panels, you'll face a crucial decision: Should you bolt or screw the panels directly to your van frame, or opt for furring strips? We recommend adding furring strips, and here's why:

Flexibility: Furring strips provide vertical flexibility, giving you more options to bolt or secure your structural components. With this approach, you're not limited to the space and location of van ribs, making your build more adaptable.

Contouring Ease: Working with challenging contours of the inner van profile becomes a breeze when you use furring strips. They let you adjust the spacing of your wall panels, ensuring a smooth fit against the van's curves.

Partial Thermal Break: Furring strips offer a partial thermal break, adding an extra layer of insulation to your camper van's interior.

Once you've decided to go with furring strips, it's time to choose the right materials and the best way to secure them to your van. Most builders opt for high-quality 3/4" furring strips, approximately 3 inches wide. To secure these strips to the van ribs, rivet nuts are a popular and reliable choice.

So, to summarize, furring strips are your secret weapon for a sturdy, adaptable, and thermally efficient camper van build.