Just got a used 31' trailer w/ 2 slide outs and ONE, yes, 1 roof A/C. Still haven't determined BTU of said A/C...need to locate that info. We will be using it for the first time in about a week at Lake Havasu, AZ. I already know, it's gonna get HOT in there. I have combed the Innerwebz for ideas on keepin my cool, and already picked up some Reflectix for the windows and inside cabinets that back to outer walls, obtained a few shade sails to place strategically outside for shade, and will go get a portable A/C that vents out a window (anyone do that and have tips??) I will be ripping out the carpet and vinyl flooring to redo with wood laminate...hoping a beefy underlayment aids with this as well. What I'd like to figure out: IS there a way to add some more insulation to the hot box WITHOUT ripping into the walls and such?? I'm so afraid of the extreme temps, that I'm almost willing to sacrifice aesthetics and just roll that Reflectix right over the walls during Summer! ALMOST. GO.... (and thanks!;)

If your high-temp use is going to be a common thing, you should go ahead and invest in another AC unit.Otherwise, there is some stuff called Desert Shade Cloth, that people use at places like that. You could rig it overhead like a tarp. Found a link: Desert Shade Cloth

A portable AC that vents out a window will draw HOT air in from outside. I had a portable when our central quit in the stick and brick, and while it did blow out cool air it did not work very well at all. A floor fan to circulate the air helped but I was real happy to get a new central unit. I don't think anything you do is going to make a big difference in very hot weather. Remember you are in a big aluminum box.

Researching adding a second roof mounted A/C to aid the original one... Someone told me my trailer has that option already stubbed in, as far as framing/bracing up there...we'll see. But for now, just need more insulation ideas.

Found roof shading systems... ShadeRV.com or Evershade (but all I found for them was an older YT vid...no purchasing info. I can't get all ghetto with tarp/shade cloth install over the roof in the parks, so.... You'd think they'd plant a tree!

Adding insulation WITHOUT tearing up the rig?? | Good Sam Community

carringb
Explorer
Jun 20, 2017
BEWARE of Reflectix inside windows in the sun on hot days. It can heat up the windows enough to melt the sealant! I caught mine early enough it only got tacky, but a quick search found plenty of folks who got theirs so hot the sealant ran out. If you can shade the window from the outside, then it works great! Just not when the window gets direct sun all day.

Also some sort of shade on the roof will help, as will slide toppers, since slideouts have much less roof insulation.
DoxieBox
Explorer
Jun 20, 2017
wowens79 wrote:
This may seem minor, but put some 3" foam in any skylight, or vent fan openings. It really made a difference in our camper in the bathroom.

I was just looking into that- the bathroom skylight is the larger "bump up" type and I wanted to cover that, but wasn't sure what to use that would not get mildewy from showers.

And the skylight in the bunkroom needs covering. I know they sell inserts for just that. But what type of foam do you use and where do you get yours? Thanks!
DoxieBox
Explorer
Jun 20, 2017
Timmac...Sweet shade set up! I wish they'd allow that where I stay! I guess I sacrifice shade for lake front. :/ Altho- there is a park or 2 along the river that allow shade structures like that if your monthly. I know the shade guy at the OC Marketplace (at the OC Fairgrounds swap meet) has been going out to the river area to do set ups. They have to be extremely well built due to the sudden micro-bursts of hurricane force winds that pop up out of the blue. I should ask if my park would allow that.

Caveman Charlie... agree on that. We told the service guys to do just that. Also found out we DO have the larger A/C at 15k, so that's good.
wowens79
Explorer III
Jun 20, 2017
This may seem minor, but put some 3" foam in any skylight, or vent fan openings. It really made a difference in our camper in the bathroom.
CavemanCharlie
Explorer III
Jun 20, 2017
Make sure that the roof unit you have has a clean condenser and evaporator.

I took the cover off of the top my roof unit after 5 years of just weekend use and was surprised to see how much dirt had accumulated on the coil.

Might as well make sure the unit you have is working as efficiently as possible.
timmac
Explorer
Jun 19, 2017
DoxieBox wrote:
I would LOVE to park in the shade...but this is the desert. There just isn't any! No trees or what have you.

Anything I do for shade has to, 1: Look aesthetically tasteful due to park constraints, and 2: Not fly away or shred in the insane winds that pop up there in the desert.

I did a quick search and found Exterior Window Solar Shades for RVs/Trailers...snap on would work best for our applications.

Also found a few boondockers who venture out to Burning Man that have constructed a truss of sorts, up on top of their rig. It holds a solar shade cloth (sail shade) about a foot off the roof. You can use the truss posts to tie off more shades that anchor to the ground. Asked on of them how they constructed this truss/frame. Looks like aluminum posts somehow attached to the roof top, but can't see how, without disturbing the roof. Waiting for a reply. They say it really helps keep their old rig much cooler. Well, as cool as it can get w/o A/C in the blazing desert valley!

Most RV parks will frown on some kind of shade structure, maybe look for a rental private lot in that area for RV parking with hookups and build a shade structure like I did here in Vegas.

Even on a hot day the black paint is still cool to the touch

Holds up well even in Vegas high winds
DoxieBox
Explorer
Jun 19, 2017
opnspaces wrote:

Are you looking for lakes you can overnight on, or just something close for the day. there's always San Vicente and El Capitan in Lakeside for day use, but you can't stay the night.

Oh wow, I didn't know San Vicente finally reopened! It's been forever!! We overnight...we just leave the trailer at an RV park out at Havasu and go every other weekend for about 4 nights.

It's a huge lake/river, it's never closed like El Cap or San Vicente, we can go as fast as we like, there's plenty of beaches and coves, etc... I mean, I wouldn't mind going to one for the day, but it's not a "destination lake" for that RV/boating experience.
opnspaces
Navigator II
Jun 19, 2017
DoxieBox wrote:
Thanks for all the advice! I went to the service guys and asked for an estimate to install another...we'll see! Liking that dual hose Port A/C!

We vacay out there cuz that's where our boat is/it's cheap. Living in So Cal, ya gotta take what you can get! There are NO lakes we can use our boat on close. We ARE considering the ocean/San Diego- but it's expensive! After paying for the trailer space, boat slip and gas, WHEW! Plus, I don't love floating in salt like I do the fresh water lake. So we considered Big Bear, but there's that pesky money again! Plus that lake gets geechy and seems to evaporate while you're out on it till your dock is on dry land.

Are you looking for lakes you can overnight on, or just something close for the day. there's always San Vicente and El Capitan in Lakeside for day use, but you can't stay the night.
DoxieBox
Explorer
Jun 18, 2017
I would LOVE to park in the shade...but this is the desert. There just isn't any! No trees or what have you.

Anything I do for shade has to, 1: Look aesthetically tasteful due to park constraints, and 2: Not fly away or shred in the insane winds that pop up there in the desert.

I did a quick search and found Exterior Window Solar Shades for RVs/Trailers...snap on would work best for our applications.

Also found a few boondockers who venture out to Burning Man that have constructed a truss of sorts, up on top of their rig. It holds a solar shade cloth (sail shade) about a foot off the roof. You can use the truss posts to tie off more shades that anchor to the ground. Asked on of them how they constructed this truss/frame. Looks like aluminum posts somehow attached to the roof top, but can't see how, without disturbing the roof. Waiting for a reply. They say it really helps keep their old rig much cooler. Well, as cool as it can get w/o A/C in the blazing desert valley!
Naio
Explorer II
Jun 18, 2017
Shading the windows on the OUTSIDE, rather than the inside helps tremendously. I have done this with sheets and zipties for short term when desperate, but you can buy kits to make nice looking custom shades out of real shade cloth. Or put your reflectix on the outside.

And yes, if you can find a way to shade the roof that will be the other biggest factor. What about one of those portable carport things? Too $$?