Heat from the windows

I should also mention that we want to add a rv cover or large carport over the 5'er eventually.

We use similar stuff to keep our camper cooler at the beach.

KathySandpiper wrote:
I have dark tinted windows on our Sandpiper 5th wheel, but the sun and heat still do a job and the a/c's seem to run overtime compared to our stay put home. Right now I have redneck curtains on the windows (foil and that foil covered styrofoam insulation) The styrofoam stuff is in the large back window and some of the skylights. If I ever order another trailer, it will not have skylights.

What do you all use to keep the heat out of your camper trailer?

Also, the very back bedroom does not get as much air as the other areas so we bought a portable a/c unit and wallah, comfort. That means 3 a/c's running. waiting to see the electricity bill. We will only be there a few days out of the month because hubs works 14/14 and we have cattle and it's hay season as well.

if you are referring to a sandpiper 365saq the very back bedroom vent in the ceiling needs to be pulled off the ceiling.Then put a piece of cardboard up there and some silver duct tape because its the last vent in the duct and forestriver decided not to stop the ductwork.Instead it goes past the last vent and cools the entire ceiling void.I fixed mine and the airflow easily doubled and now the kids complain of being too cold.Even if its not the model I referred to pull the last vent and look.

You are correct, it does go way back, I stuffed a sock in there for now. Not so bad on the sides. I was just looking for the book that tells me exactly what kind it is but no luck finding them. The front slide has a queen bed, the back room has a queen bed with half bath and the living area has a blow up queen bed. I'm thinking Sandpiper fb? I'll look some more, it has to be around here somewhere.

I bought a roll of Reflectix at HD. I have cut it to fit each window tightly and the vents and the skylite. Here in the Texas heat, it would reach 87 or so inside and the air would not stop. Now, with 50% humidity and 99-104 degree days, it stays at about 78 with the Reflextix. I then pulled all the vented covers and foil taped everything that looked like it would leak air. I then went upside and took the cowling off the air and foil taped the styrofoam back in place around the fan, plugged holes where air was escaping around the coils and also cleaned the coils with coil cleaner from HD. It made all the differenence, it now is staying 76 and will cycle ocassionally with my 1 13.5 air. I turned around and did the same on my 80 year old Dads Cardinal. I also changed out thermostats to Digital. Now his air cycles where before it never did. He is one Happy Camper now.....as well as myself!

I'll have to do look in to that. I also live in Texas and right now our trailer is in Olivia. It's a bit cooler there, but not by much. Thanks for the info:B
how did you know air was leaking around the coils? If you go back upside and you take a picture for me?

I also live in Texas. Even with 2 a/c's we struggled to get below 80 inside on 100 degree afternoon. Wife is handy with a sewing machine. She bought lined drapes and custom fitted them to the windows of our Cardinal. We also painted and covered the inside the huge shower skylight. Now we can expect 75 on those 100 degree days.

billmac wrote:
I also live in Texas. Even with 2 a/c's we struggled to get below 80 inside on 100 degree afternoon. Wife is handy with a sewing machine. She bought lined drapes and custom fitted them to the windows of our Cardinal. We also painted and covered the inside the huge shower skylight. Now we can expect 75 on those 100 degree days.

That's pretty good, 75 degrees. That's a good idea about the lined drapes. I'm not super with my sewing machine but I might give that a try. I like to look out the windows at the Gulf and foil won't let me do that. I told hubby about covering the skylight in the shower, but he said he likes the light and in the winter it will help keep the place warm.

I have 3 skylites and often camp in 100 degree heat,you can get skylite covers that are very effective at reflecting the suns rays and still allowing light,although somewhat shaded.

Might want to consider this Kathy. I like to have my cake and eat it too. :)

I painted my shower skylight white on the roof and it still lets in plenty of light. I guess someone could just paint a portion of the skylight, if they wished.

Then I put some plastic channel in the skylight screws and slid a piece of Styrofoam in the channel to cover the skylight from the inside. I can slide out the Styrofoam and have light or leave it in and take a nap in a dark trailer. :)

The Styrofoam was basically the same material used for making flimsy signs posted on the side of highway on how to get rich. Bought materials at Home Depot for less than $10.

The skylight cover really helps with keeping out the heat and controlling the light in the bedroom. Wife likes the light and I like the dark. It is not uncommon to see the Styrofoam slid half way. We even leave it in during the winter to control the light. :)