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mondotiki's avatar
mondotiki
Explorer
Aug 18, 2014

Would Roof Carpet to Cool RV?

Would carpet on our trailer roof help keep it cooler on high temperature days? Or will it just create problems? My wife wants to make this addition, but I think it will be bad for the RV.

19 Replies

  • In the short term probably yes if it is white carpet.

    In the long probably way more problems than it's worth:
    - Wet carpet will add a lot of weight up high where you don't want it.
    - It will likely breed mold and mildew.
    - It likely won't stay white for long and as soon as it turns a dark color, I suspect, the cooling advantages will turn against it.
    - It will make roof sealing much more difficult in the future.

    Now if you could build a frame with some sort of tarp a few inches above the roof, you might have a winner but even that comes with complications:
    - You would almost have to have some sort of roller mechanism to stow it for travel.
    - How would it pass over the A/C, antenna and other items on the roof without conflicting.

    Reality is, it's probably more trouble than it's worth for the small amount of energy savings. If your A/C is having trouble cooling, probably easier to find a shaddy site.
  • Interesting thought about cooling. How about a reflective plastic tarp, that could be suspended above the roof to create a layer of air between the roof and tarp. Perhaps foam pool noodles to elevate the tarp to allow air flow below?
  • It would cause more trouble than it would fix. Look into a second a/c or try Bear's idea. But make sure that coating is safe for your roof type. Insulation would need to go under the roof not on top and I doubt the R Value of a carpet would amount to much.

    I've seen someone say that a portable a/c works well as a second:

    portable a/c

    The guy using it is a gate guard in west Texas.
  • I know one of the car ports would be the most ideal, but we don't have that option. We are looking at putting it on the outside roof top. Just like a couple mentioned, I am concerned with the weight and the mold issue.
  • Are you wanting to put it on the roof (outside) or ceiling (inside) ?

    If on the roof you may want to look into a product designed to insulate roofs. It's a white or silver coating you can spray on or roll on.

    Like this http://www.homedepot.com/p/Henry-4-75-Gal-287-Solarflex-White-Roof-Coating-HE287SF871/100051140
  • It probably would, by just keeping the sun from beating on the roof, but it would need something breathable between the roof and the carpet. I think that if the carpet were to get wet (rain, humidity), it would just set up an ideal condition for mold, mildew, etc. to accumulate. That would NOT be good for the roof.

    I think a heavyweight tarp with some support system underneath would be just as effective, and much less heavy under wet conditions.
  • teton use to use afabric for noise every one i always saw after it aged looked like******and held oders so i would say no go.but you know if mamma aint happy

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