Skylights???

[nathanhdunn]

<p>Hi all, <br /><br />I'm looking at buying a cargo van to convert/live in, and sat in a lwb sprinter with the doors shut at a dealer yesterday. It's pretty dark and gloomy! I'm going to be stealth parking in the city most of the time so I can't leave the doors open all the time.</p><p>I've been thinking about a skylight or 2 to let some light in. Does anyone have this installed in their van? Does it add to the heat in the summer time? Do you have to find places away from streetlights to park? Whats your verdict?<br /><br /></p><p>Thanks,<br />Nathan</p>

 

[rvwandering]

We don't have a van but we do have a large skylight and vents. Several small vents would probably better than a skylight. The vents let in light and can be cracked opened to let heat out. While a skylight will let in light it also does cause heat to build up. We use foam pillows that are made to fit in the vents to block light at night and to conserve heat in the winter. For the skylight we use a piece of corrugated plastic board lined with Reflexite.<br /><br />

 

[Les H]

sunroof? ive never had one in any vehicke ive ever owned. my wife has one in her car, it has a sliding cover on the inside to block out the sun when not wanted. they used to sell self install ones at auto parts stores, not sure if they still do. mabye a google search or JCWHITNEY.COM ( whitney has everything auto!)

 

[nathanhdunn]

For reference, I was thinking something like this. They&nbsp;normally&nbsp;lock down watertight, and have a vent setting 1-2 cm open that is still secure and rain proof. &nbsp;<br /><br /><a href="http://www.boathatches.com.au/attachments/Image/Lewmar_hatch.jpg"><img src="http://www.boathatches.com.au/attachments/Image/Lewmar_hatch.jpg" alt="" width="215" height="148" /></a>

 

[rvwandering]

That would work great for letting light in and for ventilation. Does it come with a screen?<br /><br />&nbsp;Just thought of something else. You might want to get opaque ones especially if you're parking in the city.

 

[nathanhdunn]

The roof of the van is well above the heads of curious pedestrians or police officers. I guess you're thinking people looking down from buildings? you're right, could be a problem....<br /><br />I'm thinking of mounting solar panels and anything else away from the edges of the roof, so it's not so obvious when walking past.

 

[Sunny1]

Nathan, if you are going to put a vent or skylight on the roof of your van, you might consider getting something like a Fantastic Fan.&nbsp; They have transparent domes that you can open, but also have fans that you can adjust to draw in cool air or to vent hot air.&nbsp; And you can just open the vent without using the fan, too, if you prefer.&nbsp; <br /><br />They also let in light, which is what you need.&nbsp; Mine never bothered me when I parked our trailer at Walmart or under street lights.&nbsp; But if the light did bother you, you could do as tonyandkaren do and use something to block the opening.<br /><br />

 

[MrNoodly]

If you just need light, not ventilation, cheap LED flashlights could do the trick quickly and easily (as compared to wiring up permanent light fixtures running off the house battery). I found some the other day in a bin at Home Depot for $2 each. About an inch in diameter and 3.5" long, three AAA batteries. You could velco them here and there, with some pointed down for task light and others reflecting off the roof or walls for soft overall light.<br /><br />Then there are the self adhesive hockey puck shaped lights you press to turn on and off. I found them in the lighting section at a home improvement store, marketed as under cabinet lights, 3 to a pack. I think they're called pop lights. They use AAA batteries too. The problem is that the only way to replace the batteries in some is to pry the light from wherever it's stuck and unscrew the back plate.<br /><br />Or if you want something that doesn't require replacing batteries, there are hand-cranked lanterns in the $25 range.

 

[bee]

Like already mentioned A powered vent like a fantastic fan would come first. &nbsp;They come with different lids depending on how much light you want let in. &nbsp;You can also get them without the fan.<br /><br />If you are looking for something in addition to a powered vent I have looked into hatches like the one you posted, but wow are marine components expensive.<br /><br />I managed to pickup an rv grade hatch by Seitz in elkhart (the location of rv surplus stores) for $150 though they retail for $800ish. &nbsp;And frankly the quality is borderline in my opinion. &nbsp;Part of me doesn't want to install it, because if it breaks then what do I do with the huge hole in my roof.<br /><br />Rvs also use clear plastic fixed bubbles that don't vent, but they are junky and I think meant for rubber roofs, so installation might be tricky.

 

[mockturtle]

A skylight will add significantly to the interior temperature in sunny weather.&nbsp; If you get one, make sure you get a cover you can place in the skylight from inside.&nbsp; Personally, I wouldn't have one in an RV but the Fantastic Vent [fan] is great and, to me, indispensable.

 

[peacetara]

I TOTALLY want a marine hatch, but yes, they are super super expensive. *pouts*.<br /><br />Someday, I hope.....&nbsp; In the meantime, I just crack a door a little for air, or the 1 window on the passenger side will 'pop' out about 1" at the bottom, so it works even when raining. A fan right in front of it, and YAY fresh air!<br /><br />With Love,<br />Tara

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

Im thinking something like this for 40 bucks <br /><br />http://www.amazon.com/Ventline-V2092SP-28-Radius-Screen-Garnish/dp/B0030G7XWY/ref=pd_sbs_auto_6<br /><br />Tho if you can afford it the one with the fan is prolly better.

 

[bk2valve]

Hi Nathan...My Chinook conversion has two upper windows in the roof...I'll add a photo....I live in the southwest and both are covered with reflectix since they add a huge amount of heat when it is hot....I wish they weren't there...of course it depends on the climate where you will be using the camper but in the north they may help with passive solar heat and you can cover when necessary...where I live they are just a PITA....<br />Bri

 

[Willy]

&nbsp;What I've seen on some newer grumman vans is a strip of fiberglass sheet about 2' wide running from front to back; let's in a surprising amount of light. You could do something similar by cutting a hole in your roof and attaching a patch of the same stuff to the outside, suitably waterproofed. ..Willy.