Tips on dealing with the heat

[EV4D]

Going to embark on a week-long journey in the Oregon desert for the eclipse in August, and the temps will be hovering a little over 100 degrees each day - dropping into the 60's at night. I have my two Honda generators to run the AC but looking for other ways to help beat the heat. There are no trees or water anywhere close to us.

I wasn't sure if maybe putting a reflective tarp over the top or at least the slideout would help. Don't worry I wont cover the A/C unit or any of the vents. Just trying to figure out how to keep the thing cooler.

thanks!

[GraftonGuns]

Hi EV4D, I have used the Reflectix rolls in the past and they work well. Looks almost like aluminum foil bubble wrap. The home improvement stores carry it.

[ALJO]

Get an open army camouflage over the unit, works like a dandy and the A/C will still get air.

[tee-bone]

I 2nd the reflectix insulation. We put in all of our windows and it makes a big difference. Also fill your fan vent openings with foam. Good luck!

[EV4D]

Originally Posted by GraftonGuns

Hi EV4D, I have used the Reflectix rolls in the past and they work well. Looks almost like aluminum foil bubble wrap. The home improvement stores carry it.

Thanks! So do you attach this to the inside or the outside of the trailer and do you cover just the windows or use it anywhere else?

[spoon059]

Park in the shade.
Reflectix in your windows and close your blinds to reject as much solar heat gain as possible.
Be prepared for warmer temps during the day.
Keep the camper CLOSED during the day.

[Vaquero]

At the risk of being chastised, I've given up on the reflectix.
A couple of "space blankets" (mylar) cut to fit the windows block and reflect more heat and cost less than 10 dollars to cover all windows in an average trailer.
The heat reflection and insulation is superior to reflectix. Based on holding my Palm up to a window bathed in full sun.
It doesn't weigh anything measurable either.
Most any sporting goods store will carry these.
I let the shades hold the upper piece in place and use the screen to snap the lower in place.

[Vaquero]

This stuff.

[pawpaw]

Be sure to bring some fans to help circulate the air inside the TT - it helps! We mounted a couple of wall mounted oscillating fans in our rig and it made a huge difference. You just feel cooler when you can feel the air moving.

[TWP723]

I made my own mister system. Bought the tees and nozzles online. Used 1/4" icemaker line. Ran it back and forth under a 10x10 canopy with nozzles about 2ft. apart. Put a reducer on a garden hose as well as a on/off valve. On those humid hot summer days, walking under it is incredible. For the most part, the water coming up from the site spigot is usually ice cold. Works great and cost about $30.

[Jagiven]

I have heard slide out roofs are poorly insulated. Might be worth, a reflective tarp over the roof, or better yet, but could be a pain, bring in the bed during the day. There would be a lot less area to cool, and a lot less area for the sun to warm.

For your self, as you stated, you have no water in the area, bring an old style metal laundry wash pail, add some water, and put your feet in it!

Also one of those portable 4 legged picnic awning things, as a place to retreat out of the sun.

[Dustdevil]

Some good suggestions here. We have some significant experience with high temps and humidity, as we travel to the Colorado river every Sept 1 for opening dove season. It's usually around 110F or so outside during the day, + or - about 5 degrees. We use reflectix on the windows, cut to fit each one, a piece held with velcro to cover the skylight over the shower (source of enormous heat intrusion), and I covered the duct boxes in the air conditioners to insulate the cold side of the sheet metal from the hot outside air. Works like a champ.

Aside from that, be sure windows are closed, and keep the door to the RV closed. Don't walk out to put stuff in a storage cabinet for 2 minutes and leave the door open. You'll never get it cool.

If you are interested in the cold air duct insulation trick, there are a couple of entire threads here on this forum explaining it. Took me a couple of hours to get it done, but it was well worth it.

[EV4D]

Dumb question - you are putting the reflective material on the inside of the windows, correct?

[crumgater]

If you don't have slide-toppers, something to cover the top of the slides would be a big help.

For sitting outside in the heat, if you can carry enough water, the homer bucket A/C is nice. We have this one, placed on an orange Home Depot bucket of water, makes for a nice cool breeze:

https://www.amazon.com/Arctic-Cove-M.../dp/B01HOVO87S

You can also charge it at home, so at least the first day isn't running on the genny.

[Mustang65]

Here is a Gone with the Wynn's desert video.
Worth the time
Birng more water than you think you will need, a lot more.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UZJs694TjQ

I am watching it again....

Don

My Registry

RVing with SOLAR

[Mustang65]

I forgot to add the temperature difference between no exterior window shades and with exterior window shades. Prior to these we used the reflective NASA ones which still let the heat in.

IF your TT has a dark cap, you will be in for some real heat inside the TT.. see below, the insulation in the cap does not do much. The new light colored cap only hits 119 degrees.

Bring lots of fans

Don

My Registry

RVing with SOLAR