Shade

[ZoNiE]

Has anyone put shade OVER their rig to cool it? I think the right kind of shade tarp with a 1-2 ft gap between it and the roof can eliminate AC in certain climates. I have a design Idea I am tinkering with.

 

[WriterMs]

I would love to be able to do that but my extended van is 9.5 feet high. I do not carry a ladder big enough and would not really want to try to be up that high rigging a shade -- -but would love to have it.

I am going to try a makeshift awning next week which would shade one side but not the top. My hightop is fiberglass so I'm not putting any holes in that.

 

[dogear52]

That's also what I'm working on now for my 7'x12' CT before I leave. Using 3/4" emt for 10'wx10'h frames and the tarp will be on top of one frame (attached and rolled up on 2" pvc pipe) staked down and set against the left side of CT and extend over roof and out 13' from right side to another frame 10'wx9'h line staked down tight. Tarp will be 2' over roof, but might need another frame against right side or mid way to the end frame. It will be an evolving project as I use it. I fitted the emt vertical pieces with foam pipe insulation top and bottom to protect the CT.....fits tight. I bought a silver solid tarp but will be shopping for a mesh one for dry windy weather. It should keep the CT much cooler esp if I put up reflectix on the ceiling and run the fan with door and ramp open. I really don't mind the heat as long as it's dry and there's at least a breeze. There's no way though I'll be able to deal with sleeping in an aluminum can that's been sitting in the AZ sun all day with no defense. Good luck with your project and post as you progress. I hope to be in AZ by early Aug and hopefully by then will have the bugs worked out.

 

[ZoNiE]

I'm working on an ez-up sort of thing, but for the roof. I have to weigh shade versus solar panel coverage... I have 400 W on my roof, but mostly at the back.

 

[dogear52]

From what I've read on this forum having shade is very effective for keeping the rig cooler with adequate ventilation of course. Plywood painted white or silver or a tarp secured to a roof rack.

 

[gcal]

Securing a tarp has to be a challenge in the southwest. We've had our heavy awning torn by sudden gusts before the safety sensor can react and retract it. I've seen solidly built units that do the job and stand up to the wind, but they aren't something that could be quickly rigged up for temporary use.

 

[dogear52]

I recently asked about the wind issue and it seems mesh tarps are pretty resistant but of course a degree of shade is lost. Always a compromise.

 

[Canine]

Instead of using a shade tarp as an awning, I've seen people wrap it along the side facing the sun with a foot of space or so. This provided shade while allowing a breeze to blow through and was less likely to get blown away by the wind.

 

[SoulRaven]

I carry 8 collapsible tent poles. The 6 for the sides are 8 footers, and the front and back ones for the ridge line are 12 footers.

Between them, I can set up any sort of structure I desire. I just use rope for the ridge line between the poles, and rope woven through the eyelets for outer ridges all the way around. This keeps everything pretty windproof.

For the problem of getting the tarp or shade cloth over the van, I just attach ropes to it, then throw the ropes over the top of the van and then simply pull it up and over using the ropes from the other side.

If I'm only doing an awning for one side, I put small pieces of rope under my tires, then move the van slightly. Using the same method to get the tarp up and over, then I just run ropes down the one side to connect to the two ropes secured by my tires.

 

[Bestcat]

I carry 8 collapsible tent poles.  The 6 for the sides are 8 footers, and the front and back ones for the ridge line are 12 footers.

Between them, I can set up any sort of structure I desire.  I just use rope for the ridge line between the poles, and rope woven through the eyelets for outer ridges all the way around.  This keeps everything pretty windproof.

For the problem of getting the tarp or shade cloth over the van, I just attach ropes to it, then throw the ropes over the top of the van and then simply pull it up and over using the ropes from the other side.

If I'm only doing an awning for one side, I put small pieces of rope under my tires, then move the van slightly.  Using the same method to get the tarp up and over, then I just run ropes down the one side to connect to the two ropes secured by my tires.

 

[Bestcat]

Check out Aluminet shade cloth. It cuts the heat by a great percentage and you could use poles to make an awning.

 

[LucyImHome]

I'm still stuck in a mh/rv park, with a non working ac. I bought a tarp type 20' carport to put over my 24' TT. It has helped. I keep the vents open and on. Also floor fans. On the 90+ days, it's still fairly unpleasant, but way better than before the carport. If you're looking for something easily moved though, this ain't it!

 

[SternWake]

Shade cannot be overrated in a hot climate.

I used to travel baja often/frequently, and would set up tarp shelters on the side of my van, which could handle 50MPH+ gusts of wind, which were frequent.

Attachment points are critical. Proper knots are critical, Tarp quality is critical.

Unfortunately I lost confidence living 1/4 of the year living down there due to Meth addicts looking for their next fix and The gringo's possessions being the easiest way of attaining that.


Coastal San Diego cannot be considered extreme climate wise. My Van is white, my insulation minimal, my ventilation overwhelmingly adequate.
I can still pull a tarp as tight as a guitar string to make shade over the side of My van, not the roof.

I look forward to being somewhere I have to/want to. With a white van and ability to reject sunlight from interior and lots of ventilation, I don't need to.

Extra grommets, and for those who think Duct tape is great, look into Gaffer's tape instead. Clean surface with rubbing alcohol before applying.
As far as the desert SW in summertime, I will not attempt to meet that challenge.

If I stray too far from the Ocean for too long, sanity seems to find a home elsewhere.

 

[cyndi]

Bob wrote a pretty thorough blog post with regard to shade, etc., not too long ago
http://www.cheaprvliving.com/blog/passive-cooling-how-to-beat-the-heat-in-a-van/

 

[WriterMs]

RV Sue posted a pic of a cargo trailer in a NF campground that had several "arms" that raised up from the trailer's roof. The owner had awning material of some sort that simply stretched across the top "arms" to make a little tent-like roof and then the material went out to other "arms" extended to the sides so that there was awning over each side of the trailer. Hard to explain but looks simple in the photo.

I did not want to rip-off Sue's photo to post it here, but below is the link to that post of Aug. 8:

http://rvsueandcrew.net/idle-at-idylwild/

 

[bigsallysmom]

I like the idea in the photo, but perhaps trouble in high winds?
Then again, aren't all tarps in trouble in high winds?
I put tarps over my chain linked dog pen that has a gable roof made of piping. Extra grommets are a necessity and are easy to add. Wind still lifts it so I run a length of rope about 6" from the end. Reduces flopping.

 

[DannyB1954]

My pickup had a ladder rack on it. On the part that hung over the cab I put plywood to always keep the cab in the shade. Works great. Without it, my A/c struggles to keep the truck comfortable. I live in Southern Nevada, the sun can be brutal here. With a van, you can get roof mounted racks or ladder rack and do the same thing. If you are not a fan of plywood, you could use the coverings they use over patios. That waffle fiberglass.

You could also take 2x4 put them on edge front to back and screw them to the roof from inside. Then fasten your material to them from the outside. You may need to shape the 2x4 to the contour of the roof.

 

[highdesertranger]

tip on tarps for windy conditions. when rigging the tarp don't make it rigid, use bungee cords good strong ones and a lot of them. this gives the trap the ability to move with the wind. it greatly reduces the stress on the tarp. the bungees allow the tarp to give. this method plus, quality tarps(not those junk blue ones) has served me well though the years and though many windstorms. highdesertranger