Portable Shade

[VJG1977]

<p class="MsoBodyText"><span style="font-family:Arial">Has anyone added a double roof to the top of their van?&nbsp; I first saw this back in the 70’s.&nbsp; An army buddy had a Land Rover that had this feature. The air gap between the two roofs kept the interior much cooler than a car parked beside it.</span></p><p class="MsoBodyText">&nbsp; <img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/file?id=1310904"></p><p class="MsoBodyText"><img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/file?id=1310903"></p> <font face="Arial"><br></font><div><span style="font-family: Arial; ">I am considering a full size van for retirement travel.&nbsp; A full-length roof rack with metal roof panels could provide portable shade. This platform could also have solar panels mounted to it and solar shower bags laid on it.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA">&nbsp;</span></div>

 

[stude53]

<p style="margin: 0px;">Check out Charlenes ride ... with double roof <img border="0" align="absmiddle" src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/idea.gif">&nbsp;<img border="0" align="absmiddle" src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/thumb.gif"></p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;<a href="http://cheaprvliving.com/Charlene.html" target=_blank>http://cheaprvliving.com/Charlene.html</a></p>

 

[VJG1977]

<p style="margin: 0px;">Check out Charlenes ride ... with double roof <img border="0" align="absmiddle" src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/idea.gif">&nbsp;<img border="0" align="absmiddle" src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/thumb.gif"></p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;<a href="http://cheaprvliving.com/Charlene.html" target="_blank">http://cheaprvliving.com/Charlene.html</a></p>

<div>Thanks, that is&nbsp;exactly what I was thinking about.</div>

 

[akrvbob]

Following Charlene's example, I did the exact same thing with my cargo trailer conversion. Look at this page for pictures of how I did it; Bob<br>http://cheapgreenrvliving.com/Heat_Cold.html<br><br>

 

[SoulRaven]

Here is mine... Made of aircraft aluminum and sits above my roof about 5 inches... Spans the full length of the van and its width is 9 foot going over all the doors for a rain shield... Is solid enough for 4 grown men to walk on... Houses my solar set-up with plenty of other storage, and acts like a heat exchanger keeping me comfortable in a noons day heat....<br><br><div align="center"><img src="http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j... G20 4x4 upgrades and projects/BuckCreek2.jpg"><br></div>

 

[highdesertranger]

<P>i have done this for a long time.&nbsp; it works very well your vehicle is always in the shade.&nbsp; no need for ac. have not had ac in a vehicle since the 80's.&nbsp; ac is the most ungreen thing out there.&nbsp; most people out there go from thier ac house to thier ac car to thier ac office and back.&nbsp; what a huge waste of energy.&nbsp; if enviromental groups were honest they would go after this simple fact.&nbsp; but?&nbsp; highdesertranger</P>

 

[SoulRaven]

Having a combo tarp and rack really makes life easy in both the rain and sun... It gets you out of the van in bad weather, cool and dry...<br>

 

[Rollin]

Nice set up SoulRaven&nbsp;

 

[SoulRaven]

Well it sure was not rocket science and does have a weakness... The tarp in the desert where it really should shine, is worthless because of the sudden and fierce winds... Thats the difference between ideas on paper and real world testing... Works great though in the Cascades of WA, my summer hang out...BTW this is my fav spot in WA, called "Ranger Creek", plenty of disperse camping...<br><br>

Nice set up SoulRaven&nbsp;

 

[stude53]

<p style="margin: 0px;">Soulraven,</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">I can't see how you attached your platform to allow the walkaround weight you mentioned. Could you enlighten us? I really like the idea of an aluminum framed platform.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Thanks, Bob</p>

 

[SoulRaven]

I will take some close up pictures of the frame and mounting... <br>

 

[stude53]

<p>Thanks!</p>

 

[SoulRaven]

Here is the link to show the mounting, hardware, and add-ons to the alum. roof rack... enjoy...<br><br>http://s79.photobucket.com/albums/j135/TooRisky/85 Chevy G20 4x4 upgrades and projects/<br><br>

<p>Thanks!</p>

 

[karl]

Serious rack .....you could add a second level living space if'n you wanted<img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" align="absmiddle" border="0"><br>I see you are not in the habit of under, or "good'nuff" building, Eh?<br>Good job Steve.<br>

 

[SoulRaven]

ohh I cannot take credit for the rack, I did not build it... It was built by a former owner who used the rack to carry Teepee poles... He had a buisness where he hand made big Teepee's and assembled them on site... The rack was one of the big reasons I bought the van with grand ideas of extended trips, holding fuel and gear... <br>

 

[cargovanconversion]

<p>Nice pics. I'm still searching for the best solution (for me) with regard to solar panels on my van. I'll keep yours in mind.</p><p>Van.</p>

 

[nimfacollins]

A van with a double roof is cool. I will want to have a van like that and I will have my own portable shade or canopy. <br><br>12' x 12' at the base<div>&nbsp;</div><div>144 sq. ft. of shade with a 12' x 12' top in Green</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>Fits 12-18 people</div>

 

[Patrick46]

WOW.....I can't believe I've found&nbsp;this many like-minded people with the same ideas as mine!!!<BR><BR>The second cover roof PLUS the utility trailers???.....<EM><STRONG>YES!</STRONG></EM><BR><BR><BR><EM><STRONG><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: x-large">IN!!!!&nbsp; <IMG class="emoticon bbc_img" title="Thumb - :thumb:" src="/images/boards/smilies/thumb.gif"></SPAN></STRONG></EM>

 

[MOTOWN]

Desert canopy you should turn the van around so your canopy is flowing with the wind not against it. Its hard to set up in the desert camping the winds are very turbulent.. oh the double roof is called a safari top. I like your roof rack its super duty.

 

[wagoneer]

It really does work in the early 80's I had a 66 land rover with what they called the "SAHARA" roof which was a roof over a roof Had a little 4 banger and top speed was 50 all aluminum entire vehicle. Attracted me because you could find land rover parts in any country in the world.