Keeping cool, boondocking

[LoveCamping58]

Originally Posted by oldmanAZ

There are probably as many different ways of 'camping' as there are people that 'camp.' That's why there are so many different types of camping gear/trailers/vehicles available.

Saw that in action years ago: People with a class-A pulled into a national forest campground that had no amenities, except for pit toilets. They pulled in, pushed a button(s) to level the unit, closed the curtains, and fired up their generator. After dark, the only 'flicker' at their site was from the TV while they watched a movie (VHS or Beta? - yes, it was a while back). They left the next day and never set foot on the ground. They probably think back on the wonderful time they had camping in the national forest.

So true, couldn't have said it better myself, boondocking is more about the where...

As to my original questions, we went camping over the 4th and even here in mt it was 95. I tried a little experiment. On Friday I left all the windows open but the shades pulled, on Saturday I closed the windows and the shades and it was a lot warmer in the 5w on Saturday evening then on Friday. The outside temp on both days was comparable, so you definitely want some air movement. So I am going to look into the 12v fans. I also bought some blackout fabric to make some drop curtains. I know it will make it darker when they are down but I hope to help keep it cool. My shopping is pretty limited and couldn't find any of the solar curtains, and the windows are already black, so don't think the window film would be that helpful. But was wondering about using the film on the 2 skylights. Has anyone tried that?

Thanks everyone for all the suggestions and input.

[Edd505]

Originally Posted by TWP723

No matter how you slice it, there's absolutely no way to stay cool during hot summer days without a/c. Campers are just insulated boxes on wheels. You can have all the fans you want running, all the windows open..breezy out. Regardless, you're gonna bake. Trust me, I love camping where no one else is as much as the next guy but I make sure it's in specific times of the year. Summer boondocking on the East coast? Um.eh eh. You can have it. I've hiked the AT from Ga. to Maine in the beginning of summer and roasted. I guess what it comes down to is, I've had my share of 'boondocking'. I tent camped for many a year without alot of the creature comforts. Sweating in bed does not appeal to me whatsoever. Been there..done it. MANY times.

But again, to each his own.

Boondocking in the SW you can expect 100+ so a generator & spare gas is the only way to stay cool until dark. It's 1030 pm and a balmy 82 right now, windows open and fans running.

[oldmanAZ]

LoveCamping58,

Thanks for sharing your experiment. What you found does make sense... with good air flow, the inside temp should be nearly the same as the outside air temp.

The sides and roof of most trailers are white. In theory, that should reflect most of the sunlight and result in little temperature gain through those surfaces. With sun shining through the windows, items on the inside of the trailer would get hotter than the air temp. With the windows closed, that additional heat would stay trapped inside the trailer.

If you can, try your experiment with material covering the OUTSIDE of the windows. It may be more effective to stop the sun from heating the inside if you stop it before it shines through the windows. And, like you said, it seems that adding film to the inside of tinted windows may not help much.

To cover skylights, these and similar items are available but making your own should not be difficult... Robot Check

I plan to conduct some experiments regarding heat gain through windows etc., but that is unlikely to happen this season.

[Panhead]

You could make a portable bucket air conditioner that could be run with a 12 volt fan. See the video below. There are lots of other examples on Youtube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxSLbpAwibg

Steve