Orientation toward the sun

[tommy_z]

Whenever I setup camp, I always try to point "nose north", to have optimum shade from my awning in the afternoon.

But I've had the theory this also puts the broad side of the trailer exposed to the sun, which would add heat load moreso than if the nose or tail of the trailer pointed towards the sun.

Anybody ever experiment with that to know if it makes any difference at all?

[Timon]

One thing to remember if you ever want to add solar is that it works best if you line up east to west.

[chuckster57]

I don't usually get the option to choose my site based on East/West or North/South orientation.

I do think exterior color has more to do with heat absorption.

[hankaye]

Howdy All;

Well, ... I'm sitting here with a nose to the North attitude.
With a 4' X 3'ear window and a 5' X5' side (faces West), window I'm here to
tell ya they sure do keep the place warm in the Winter and like a dry Sauna
in the Summer. Sure wish I could bottle the Summer's heat and use it in the
Winter. Those windows bump the temp. up at least 20º F.....

hankaye

[hankpage]

I installed mirror tinting to all the windows and it cut down on the radiant heat considerably. I have also found over the years that if you are in an area where flies are a problem that they prefer the sunny side (southern) of the trailer. I must not be the only one that has noticed this because when I request a site with my door facing north I have had two different CG owners say ... "Oh, we don't have a fly problem here anymore." JM2¢, Hank

[hankaye]

Hank, Howdy;

The big windows are a double edged sword, produce un wanted heat in
the Summer, yet help keep the propane expense down in the Winter. I just
slide some of the reflextec (shinney bubble wrap insulation), so I can dampen
the heat in the Summer. Knocking the boost of 20ºF helps considerably when
the temp. is 105ºF or 110ºF which is "normal" around here during June -
early Aug.

hankaye (the other hank)

[jkohler70]

We camped for 6 days in July when daily temps were 95+. The rear of our RV was directly in the afternoon sun without shade. It was bad enough that clamped some reflective heavy tarps I carry over the windows. It wasn't the prettiest, but dropped the inside down 5 degrees. Without them, I hit the mid to upper 80's inside. The tarps reduced inside temp 5-10 degrees.