When you spend long hours on the road the constant noise will take a toll on your comfort. The constant noise will make you exhausted very easily.

With the noise, you cannot concentrate on driving and focus on the noise and you’ll think about the actual reason for the noise and where this noise is coming from in the truck.

According to Intechopen traffic noise increases the frequency of arterial diseases, hypertension, strokes, and vascular dysfunction. Nonhearing effects such as sleep communication disorder can trigger a range of emotional reactions.

If you want to soundproof your truck cab in this guide I will walk you through how you can soundproof a truck cab the challenges and how you can tackle that to make the truck quiet and peaceful.

There are a lot of people who don’t soundproof truck cab in the right way they consider the interiors for soundproofing and this is neither correct nor wrong it just solves a part of the problem. But Why? Let’s find out.

Key Takeaways:

• Truck cab can reach noise levels up to 87 decibels, equivalent to a lawn mower.
• Soundproofing your truck cab improves comfort and reduces distraction while driving.
• Types of noise to deal with for soundproofing include structure-borne noise, airborne noise, and sound caused by rattling
• Using constraint layer damping (CLD) also known as sound-deadening material and a mass-loaded vinyl (MLV) will effectively reduce the noise.
• Addressing the rattling with a cell foam material will enhance the overall experience and reduce the noise caused by rattling.

Benefits Of Soundproof Truck Cab

• Quieter and more peaceful ride eliminating distractions and better concentration while driving.

• Soundproofing enables pleasant conversations with co-passengers without interruption of external noise.

• Soundproofing will enhance the overall audio experience in your truck you can listen to your favorite music without distraction.

• You can focus on the road avoiding uncertain with the peaceful and quiet environment in the cabin 

Types Of Noise To Deal For Soundproofing

Before stepping into a soundproofing truck cab you need to understand the challenge if you understand what type of noise is entering into the truck it will be easy for you to deal with it and effectively block the noise.

By knowing the challenge we are facing on the road with the vehicle the job of blocking can be effectively done.

Here are 3 types of noise to deal with for soundproofing

• Structure Borne Noise

• Airborne Noise

• Noise Caused By Rattling 

Let’s take a look at this problem individually and discuss the ways to tackle it.

Structure Borne Noise

Structure-borne noise is a common issue in trucks it is caused when the tire interacts with the road the noise from the wheel is transferred into the cabin through the suspension system. 

To effectively reduce this type of noise using a constraint layer damping (CLD) material is highly recommended. It is also known as sound deadener, stretch, and control vibrations resulting in noise reduction.

Tackling Structure Noise

For reducing the structure layer you need a constraint layer of CLD material that will effectively absorb the vibration and keep the noise down.

An industry leader in CLD is Dynamat known for its high quality and performance. However, there are other affordable options available that deliver great results.

One of the downsides of Dynamat sound deadener is the cost however as said before other competitors provide great results like Kilmat, noico, and Siles. If cost is not your concern, it’s better to go with Dynamat as it provides effective results.

All the other competitors mentioned will provide effective results but not as effective as Dynamat. Check out my complete review guide on Dynamat sound deadener.

Airborne Noise 

While CLD materials like Dynamat are effective in reducing structure-borne noise, they may effectively counter airborne noise. Airborne noise in a truck cab is caused by external factors such as road noise, traffic, and horns.

To address this issue it’s crucial to incorporate the high mass sound barriers into the soundproofing process.

Tackling Airborne Noise

CLD material will reduce only the structure-borne noise and is not effective at reducing airborne noise that’s why most people are confused and soundproofing the interiors with the sound-deadening material and waiting for it to reduce airborne noise.

You get it right airborne noise cannot be reduced with CLD material it is effective for structure-borne noise.

Then which material will reduce the airborne noise?

Let’s find out.

Mass-loaded vinyl (MLV) is the recommended material for soundproofing truck cabs. MLV offers a combination of mass and flexibility making it an ideal choice for countering airborne noise. It should be applied on the interior surface of the truck can, especially on large surfaces.

By strategically applying MLV on the surfaces, particularly those areas that are prone to airborne noise transmission you can deaden the airborne noise. The MLV’s mass helps absorb the noise and block sound waves. 

The flexibility allows the installation process to be straightforward and conform to various surface shapes.

While installing MLV for a soundproof truck cab it is important to cover the cabin floor, walls, and roof. These areas tend to have larger footprints and play a vital role in transmitting the airborne noise in the truck.

Noise Caused By Rattling 

Rattling in the truck can be quite annoying and bothersome which will affect the overall comfort of the ride The noises are often caused by loose interior trims and doors that vibrate while driving.

Tackling Noise Caused By Rattling 

One of the cost-effective and easy solutions is to use a close-cell foam sound-dampening material. By lining the interior trims and the doors with closed-cell foam you can significantly reduce the rattling noise inside the truck.

When installing close cell foam ensure to cover the areas that are prone to rattling such as the dashboard, door panels, and any other trim pieces. The foam can be cut easily to fit the desired shape or size allowing for a precise and snug fit.

Tips Before Soundproofing Truck Cab

• Before applying any soundproof material make sure to clean the surface from dust and debris. Use rubbing alcohol to clean the surface thoroughly and ensure proper installation of material.

• When sticking the soundproofing material on the surface it’s important to apply pressure to ensure the adhesive sticks firmly to the surface if not bubbles will form. Use the roller to roll out the bubbles form and proper adhesion of the soundproof material.

• When choosing sound-deadening material it is best to Avoid asphalt-based CLD (constraint layer damping) which can melt at high temperatures compromising effectiveness in reducing noise.

How To Soundproof A Truck Cab: Step-by-Step 

To effectively soundproof a truck here is the step-by-step process to follow for great results and reduced noise.

Here are the soundproof materials that you’ll need:

Dynamat Sound Deadener

Mass Loaded Vinyl (MLV)

Noico Green Close Cell Foam

If you don’t want to go with Dynamat here are some of the cheaper solutions

Kilmat sound deadener

Noico sound deadener

Siles sounds deadener

Start from the areas that need much attention like the cabin floor as tire noise is transmitted through the cabin in the truck let’s start with the cabin floor.

Soundproof Floor

The cabin floor passes most of the noise in the truck as most of the vibrations and noises are transmitted through the cabin floor. It produces structured-borne noise and also contributes to airborne noise.

As the tires interact with the road it produces noise and most importantly floor is the place where the tires are underneath resulting in transmitting the noise in the truck.

Before starting with the soundproofing you need to take off the seat, carpet, and all the trim pieces so have a clear floor to proceed with the installation.

After cleaning and taking off everything you need to install the first layer of CLD you need to cover the entire floor and some portions would have been layered with damping material let it be.

Look for the areas that are thin and prone much noise transmission ensure to cover it thoroughly and pay attention to the areas under the feet of the driver and passengers as these are the areas where most of the noise is heard.

Press firmly it with the roller as there will be bubbles forming on sound-deadening material. After this step wait for a few minutes and proceed with the next step.

After installing CLD the next step is to install mass-loaded vinyl on the area for maximum coverage. If you don’t want to install the mass-loaded vinyl on the entire floor you can cover the surface below the feet which is recommended. 

As mentioned earlier in this guide mass-loaded vinyl reduces the airborne noise.

The next step is to line the cell foam on the areas from where a rattling sound is produced. Cut the cell foam precisely according to the shape and size and insert.

Voila! The truck floor is now soundproof.

Sound Deadening Doors

After the floor the most vulnerable part from where the noise is transmitted are doors. For soundproofing the door the same procedure will be applicable.

Cover the surface with CLD material depending on the door size you can take the pieces of sound-deadening material on the inner and outer skin. 

Check out the complete guide on sound-deadening car doors.

Once you’re done with soundproofing the car door which is a similar method of soundproofing the floor you can proceed with installing mass-loaded vinyl on the thin surfaces of the door which is prone to noise transmission.

Finish up with a closed cell foam for door rattling noise as this material will reduce the rattle sound. Doors rattling is one of the most common and most important issues to address.

You can successfully soundproof the doors.

Soundproof Roof

After soundproofing the doors let’s move to take care of the roof and the soundproofing the wall.

You can install mass-loaded vinyl on the roof and back wall as it is cost-effective and you can save. Mass-loaded vinyl is recommended for both roof and wall.

Generally, sound-deadening material is installed on the roof to achieve effective noise blocking and the other alternative solutions that work best in reducing noise are mass-loaded vinyl, soundproof blankets, and soundproof mats.

Check out the complete guide on soundproof car roof.

The procedure will be similar to that of floor and doors that sound deadening material as the first layer, mass-loaded vinyl followed by lining closed cell foam.

Final Thoughts on Soundproof Truck Cab 

Investing in a soundproof truck is a smart choice for owners who are looking to enhance the driving experience. If you’re bothered by the cost then it’s worth every penny you spend. 

I have shared some of the alternatives of Dynamat that provide effective results in soundproof trucks. If you drive a lot then Dynamat is the effective solution for you as it’s built to last long.

When soundproofing your truck it’s crucial to identify the areas that contribute most noise transmission such as the cabin floor, door, and roof. Using CLD material for structure-borne noise is effective and for airborne noise mass loaded vinyl is recommended.

With the right material and approach you can achieve acoustic insulation for your truck. Take some time and research the soundproof materials and invest in quality sound-deadening materials like Dynamat for great results.

If you like this don’t forget to share it with family and friends.

Related Articles:

10 Best Automotive Sound Deadening Materials

Best Dynamat Alternatives

FAQ