---- Jim Felder <jim.felder@GMAIL.COM> wrote: The best way to keep the rig cool is to keep it shady. If > you don't, even if the night is cool the camper will be hot, and so will > your food and water. > > I have not wanted the extra weight or complexity of a conventional awning > setup, so a year ago I bought a $20 items at Dicks Sporting goods that was > meant to clip onto the roof rails on a minivan or similar. (description of Jim's installation cut for brevity) Jim, I have something similar. I use a tarp. To fit the rain gutter, I use a piece of pvc electrical conduit and c-clamps. The end of the awning is supported by two extendable tent poles. The whole things stores in a small sack. Works great. However, I have not found that it necessarily shades the camper itself, since it does not cover the roof. For that, I need a tree. Last weekend I was at a spring-fed creek in the Oklahoma Ozarks, on private property. I spent much of the day in the water, wade fishing, swimming, or snorkling. That kept me cool in the 97 F heat. Took a nap in the afternoon, in the van, with a nice breeze coming off the water through the van. Night was similar. But had I not had a shade tree, the camper would have heated up, even with the tarp. You're right, shade is the most important contributor to coolness in camp. David McNeely |
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