Keeping the heat out

[GScott]

We are snow birds in Mesa AZ living in our WH 23MRB. For some unknown reason Jayco made the side walls of the slide black even though the rest of the trailer is white. Wow do they get hot! In the 95 degree sun the black wall registered a scorching 189 degrees while the white surface next to it was 108. So in an effort to insulate while here for a few months I Velcroed foil bubble insulation to the side walls. What a difference! It lowered the wall temp
Inside the trailer by 15 degrees immediately. Obviously I will have to remove the foil and hope the little bits of Velcro don't interfere with the operation of the slide. Picture to follow.

Let me know if you have used this technique.

[oldmanAZ]

Great idea!

Our slide ends are white, but we took steps to keep the heat out from two other areas: We added a slide topper which significantly reduced heat entering at the top of the slide (it doesn't have the insulation that the other roof has) and installed a 'clothes line' above the outside windows and hung large, colorful Disney character towels to block the afternoon sun which significantly reduced the heat entering from the windows and shades.

[Mustang65]

You may want to add removable window shades like the ones I installed. They do reduce the heat that penetrates the windows. They come in a few colors and black, which I believe would defeat the purpose of reducing heat. The temperatures or of the window frame before and after the installation. Next is the HOME-MADE slide topper using PVC and SOLAR material. The plans look good and should cost about $30. Project pictures (maybe a video) to follow.

My future plan is to mount 2 SOLAR panels to the side of the TT above the slide out and when the slide out is open they will shade the top of the slide allowing a lot of free air space.


Don

[Ottawasteve]

Did you buy them pre-made ? Do you have close-up pictures of how they are attached to the windows ?

Originally Posted by Mustang65

You may want to add removable window shades like the ones I installed. They do reduce the heat that penetrates the windows. They come in a few colors and black, which I believe would defeat the purpose of reducing heat. The temperatures or of the window frame before and after the installation. Next is the HOME-MADE slide topper using PVC and SOLAR material. The plans look good and should cost about $30.


Don

[Mustang65]

We got them through the RVTOYSTORE.com They were having a sale on them last month I think.

They ask you for the size of EACH of the windows and they make them to fit your specifications. We ordered them with the SNAPS. I installed them on the side of the TT and the shades snap on to them. Wind does not bother them. Also on the bottom corners of the shades, we had them sew on their Velcro. They sent us extra self stick Velcro to stick on the window frame so that the windows that flip open will have a way to hold the shade while open. DW loves them.

You can see the SNAPS on the material and they have a screw mounted snap (male) on the TT. They are about 2" large than the frame. if you do not cover the frame the heat will transfer inside the TT.

Don

[GScott]

Ii have installed these solar shades from RV Toy Store. They work well and the customer service is great.

[Mad Cow]

Got to love that Reflectix bubble foil insulation. I use it in a variety of applications.

Another idea on it. Line your cabinet interior walls against the trailer side walls and ceiling. Will make a major different is both keeping heat in in cool weather, and keeping things cooler in hot weather. It is out of sight so won't be an eye sore.

[Quantum]

Originally Posted by Mustang65

Next is the HOME-MADE slide topper using PVC and SOLAR material. The plans look good and should cost about $30. Project pictures (maybe a video) to follow.

I'm curious to see what this is. I've been debating a slideout topper, but since they're like $600 I've been holding off.

[Mad Cow]

Slide out toppers can be a good thing, under the right circumstances. They can also be a PITA under certain circumstances. There are pros and cons. I am not convinced they are worth it for my situation. Here is a vid I came across that discusses the pros and cons.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmWP_nKE-0c

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xpggqurBYk&t=6s