Forum Discussion

ReillyWood's avatar
ReillyWood
Explorer
Jun 01, 2019

Newbie help - keeping cool

I'm new to this forum and somewhat new to camping with a travel trailer.

My initial question is: how to keep the trailer cool enough for sleeping?

We have a (used) Dutchman Cub 16' with pop-out sleepers. One of the sleepers is shaded by trees the other is not. And of course the other is the one we sleep in. By 6am it's starting to get some sunshine and by about 7:30am it can be annoyingly hot (too hot to sleep at least). The air temp is probably around 25C/75F by this time (Penticton). And it can be too hot when going to sleep too, depending upon the day.

I've read about about some solutions, e.g. various AC types, radiant barriers, a cool DIY AC with ice and a cooler and a fan.

The site has electricty.

I am just looking for some general ideas and advice and recommendations from those who know much more about trailer camping than me.

I appreciate any and all help.

Thank you in advance.

Rob W
  • WayneAt63044's avatar
    WayneAt63044
    Explorer
    Jun 01, 2019
    What's the folks around you doing? If your trailer doesn't have an A/C unit then you're pretty much limited to fans (perhaps blowing across a block of ice).
  • wildtoad's avatar
    wildtoad
    Explorer II
    Jun 01, 2019
    Does you TT not have an AC already? If not, I’d definitely look into getting one added. Perhaps it is already wired for one at one of the roof vents. Or, there are several standalone units that can be added.
  • rexlion's avatar
    rexlion
    Explorer
    Jun 01, 2019
    The fan blowing thru a soaked cloth or foam, or across ice, is often called a swamp cooler. It on
    Y works in a dry climate since it adds moisture to the air and can make it clammy.

    Maybe a portable AC vented thru a window would be easiest. Get a 2 hose model, 1 for intake and 1 for exhaust. Or what about a plain fan to move cooler air from the other end to your bed?
  • pianotuna's avatar
    pianotuna
    Nomad III
    Jun 01, 2019
    Add an air conditioner. Add a way to run that when "off the grid". Try to find an air conditioner with a high Seer number.
  • ReillyWood's avatar
    ReillyWood
    Explorer
    Jun 01, 2019
    Thank you all for the quick replies!

    Other folks around us mostly have more modern trailers, some are pretty big rigs. We seem to have the smallest & oldest trailer, only those with tents have a lesser setup.

    We have used fans but haven't found them to be enough (though better than zero). At least, not for the morning heat.

    I'll look at a ceiling AC but might not get it in this year. Might give the diy AC / swamp cooler a try and a radiant cover over the one side.

    Rob W
  • time2roll's avatar
    time2roll
    Nomad
    Jun 01, 2019
    Forget the other stuff and just get an air conditioner installed into the vent opening.
    Everyone will be so much happier.
  • MitchF150's avatar
    MitchF150
    Explorer III
    Jun 02, 2019
    16' trailer with pop out tent sleepers is just a very large tent... ;)

    Is this a pop up trailer or a hard sided trailer with beds on each side?

    I've seen pop ups with an A/C unit on the hard pop up roof part.. But, I don't think you will be able to sleep with the fan noise these kinds of units produce..

    Heck, even in my 22' TT with a roof top A/c unit, it's only good to keep it cool if you don't mind all the noise..

    If it's that hot, we just open the vents and the windows and sleep on top of the bed at night, because there is no way to sleep with the A/C running all night long.. Just no way.. Think "Jet Airliner"... :)

    Anyway, hope you find your solution.. Been there, done that in tents for decades and survived... ha, ha....

    Good luck!

    Mitch
  • ReillyWood's avatar
    ReillyWood
    Explorer
    Jun 02, 2019
    MitchF150 wrote:
    16' trailer with pop out tent sleepers is just a very large tent... ;)

    Is this a pop up trailer or a hard sided trailer with beds on each side?

    I've seen pop ups with an A/C unit on the hard pop up roof part.. But, I don't think you will be able to sleep with the fan noise these kinds of units produce..

    Heck, even in my 22' TT with a roof top A/c unit, it's only good to keep it cool if you don't mind all the noise..

    If it's that hot, we just open the vents and the windows and sleep on top of the bed at night, because there is no way to sleep with the A/C running all night long.. Just no way.. Think "Jet Airliner"... :)

    Anyway, hope you find your solution.. Been there, done that in tents for decades and survived... ha, ha....

    Good luck!

    Mitch


    Thanks Mitch. It's a hard-side trailer with beds on each side. I hadn't thought about the noise.

    I'm now looking at the swamp coolers, they look to be cheaper, practical for our camping location, and I am guessing less noisy.

    Rob W
  • toedtoes's avatar
    toedtoes
    Explorer III
    Jun 02, 2019
    There is a product called popup gizmos. They are placed over the tent ends to reflect the sun away. Popup owners swear by them. Worth looking into.

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