This video from Valley Campers details the process of selecting and installing headliners in a camper van, with a particular focus on their custom oak veneered ply headliner. The hosts, accompanied by Domy, discuss different headliner materials, the advantages of a new plywood headliner over the standard factory option, and crucial pre-installation steps such as planning electrical wiring and light placement. They demonstrate the bonding of the two-piece oak headliner, the dry-fitting process, and the final fastening method using aesthetic black screws. The video also covers the integration of LED downlighters and the transition piece connecting the new headliner to the factory cab headliner, emphasizing the importance of preparation and attention to detail for a professional finish.
Installing Camper Van Headliners: A Detailed Guide
0:20 Choosing Your Headliner: While standard van headliners can be recovered, the hosts recommend new ones made from a minimum of 3.6mm ply for better shape retention and suitability for lighting.
1:30 Oak Veneered Ply Headliner: The chosen headliner is an oak veneered ply, sourced from Cohibers, offering a yacht-like aesthetic and complementing the van's floor.
1:53 Building the Van Twice: A full disclaimer notes that the van's interior was fully built and then ripped out a year later (June 2025, after August 2024 completion) to film a comprehensive build series, demonstrating post-usage insights.
2:41 Electrical First Fix: Before fitting any headliner, it's crucial to plan and install all electrical wiring, especially for lighting (e.g., six bright white LED downlighters), as a "first fix" in the build process.
3:57 Standard vs. Custom Headliners: Standard headliners are often pressed board and can be damaged or unsuitable for conversions. Custom CNC-cut 3.6mm ply boards are available, with options for light and trim fixing cutouts.
5:03 Two-Piece Design: The large oak veneered headliner comes in two parts, which the hosts bonded together using expanding glue and strips to create a seamless single piece for a better aesthetic and structural integrity.
5:54 Pre-Drilling for Lights: All holes for downlighters (60mm diameter for their chosen lights) should be cut into the headliner before installation, emphasizing that preparation is key.
7:26 Installation Strategy: A dry fit is essential to mark fastening points and light positions. The headliner is supported by ceiling props during installation.
7:47 Fastening Strips: The headliner is screwed into 3.6mm ply strips (70mm wide, ~1215mm long) previously screwed into the van's metalwork, allowing for flexibility in screw placement.
12:17 Aesthetic Fasteners: Black pan head screws (3x12 Phillips) are used for fastening, matching the aesthetic of the oak headliner and providing a clean finish.
13:14 Adapting to Metal Ribs: For areas where screws penetrate the metal ribs, a 2.5mm drill bit is used for pre-drilling with 3x20 screws, ensuring correct length to avoid damaging the van exterior.
14:17 Installing Lights: LED downlighters are simply clipped into their pre-cut recesses. Wiring and components were sourced from Rain Automotive.
15:34 Bridging the Gap: To seamlessly connect the new oak headliner to the factory cab headliner, a factory strip (carpeted in wheat) is used, fastened with specialized replacement clips (sold by the hosts) that replace the often-failing original clips.
18:06 Final Approval: Domy expresses her love for the finished oak headliner, highlighting its beauty, the matching grain, and the dark screws, preferring it over a pop-top roof.
19:41 Product Availability: The oak headliner and matching floor are available for purchase from their website, offered as a headliner only or in a bundle.