Beating the summer heat

[Paddler]

I've noticed there have been a couple post from folks who are experiencing trailer cooling problems due to the summer heat. Thought I share a tip or two we've picked up as seasoned Florida campers.

1) Park in the shade if at all possible. If you can't find total shade, then look for a site that will give you shade from noon til dusk. Ideally the you want the afternoon shade on the right side (awning side) of the camper.

2) Cut and fit solar shields for all your camper's windows. You can always remove some shields to let in some light if you find the camper too dark.

3) Purchase or make vent insulators. Campingworld sells a vent insulator/stadium cushion that works very well, summer and winter.

4) If you have the plexiglass dome over the shower, cut a sheet of 1 1/2 to 2 inch styrofoam to fit inside the opening (assuming you do not need the head room). You would not believe how much heat those suckers let in.

5) Start chilling your rig early in the day, its easier to maintain then to try to catch up. If you have just parked the rig and your AC unit(s) have the quick cool feature, use it! Also close off areas that you don't immediately need access to until the AC has brought the rig's core area to your desired temperature.

Hope this gives you some ideas,

[mikell]

92 Here in Michigan and we kept the Alapine at 73 but the single AC unit never stopped. This morning at 6 it was 80 and raining so it's going to be bad by the time it gets to 90 that they are predcting. 94 for Wednesday. A second unit might be on order for next year but so far it's fine

[hankpage]

I installed Mirrored Limo Window Tint to all windows. It made a big difference with inside temp when we can't find shade and even when in storage. The extra privacy is a nice plus also. The factory tint stops the windows from reflecting headlights while on the road.

[antiqfreq]

Paddler,

As YOU know, we too are from sunny south Florida.

We have taken ALL the precautions you mentioned in your post.

Traveling for a year in it - we needed all the help we could get
with keeping out the sun. We use the insulated cutouts for our windows and it helped to keep the heat in and in the summer kept the heat out. It all worked out well for us.

Finding the shady spot truly helps the most and if you gotta have the sun on one side, make it the awning side and extend that awning to keep sun off the windows as much as possible!

Jo

[Cathie&Al]

I really appreciated the hints, as we just got back from three days on Oklahoma's 105* temps. Will be getting the window shields. Did not think about closing the bedroom off. We would do that the next time, if there is a next time. We really don't plan on camping in these temps again!

[fla-gypsy]

As a year round Florida camper you learn these things early on. I have a 32' TT with a single 13.5k A/C and it does the job with proper planning and preparation. Made our own vent cushions, put the reflective covers on the door windows, always pick a site with shade. I'm a happy camper when the TT is nice and cool in the Florida summer heat and humidity.

[crash]

Thats what I like about our Raptor it came with factory dark tinted windows that you cannt see in in the day time and keeps some of the heat out,We will be installing something to the shower sky light and vent fans to keep the heat out there too..

[Lost]

Here in Michigan this year we have issues keeping the trailers warm. We haven't had a heat spell that has lasted more than a couple of days.

[JRTJH]

When we travel to warmer areas (Michigan is NOT a warm area this year) we have found that the "solar screen" which is a thick weave window insect screen works wonders to cut down an advertised 85% of the heat from the windows. I applied velcro along the outside window frames and cut the screen to fit the windows and applied velcro to the screen as well. We store them rolled up in the RV and if we get a campsite that's sunny, we can velcro the needed screens on the outside of the RV. It's actually cooler sitting in front of the windows with the screens applied than it was with the inside foil inserts we used in the past and you can still see out just like looking through a conventional window insect screen.