Would Roof Carpet to Cool RV?

[mondotiki]

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.

[christopherglen]

maybe cover the roof wit solar panels?

[Gjac]

I have carpet on my ceiling inside the MH and I think it provides a degree of insulation. I would use Bus Coat, solar extreme or one of the many other acrylic white roof coatings. Some have micro balloons in the acrylic that is suppose to insulate as well as reflect.

[Trlrboy]

I would remove the existing roof and cover the entire thing with mirrors.

[down_home]

It might make it quieter and warmer during winter but it is a half thought in progress. I would have one of the roof coatings put on the outside. i don't remember names. It would reflect heat and you wouldn't possibly have to worry with resealing seams every two years.

[agesilaus]

Just a guess but I think most park owners would be thinking about their water bill when they saw that.

[96Bounder30E]

How about a water mister set up?



I know of a house that has water misters on the roof.........I bet it works well.......

[LarryJM]

TXcampingfamily wrote:
Here is an interesting system. I also found this one.

WOW a whole other level of "GADGETS" for the RV ... WHO WOULD HAVE THUNK!! It never ceases to amaze me what people will come up with and be able to sell us RV fanatics. Of course they are laughing all the way to their daily trip to the bank to deposit our hard earned $$$ while on vacation at their "PRIVATE ESTATE" in the Bahamas!.

Larry

[westend]

Tell her you'll put it up there if she's willing to keep it vacuumed.

[TXcampingfamily]

Here is an interesting system. I also found this one.

[midnightsadie]

keep in your head SHADE, and air flow, that will drop the temp several degree,s.

[valhalla360]

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.

[Pangaea_Ron]

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?

[agesilaus]

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.

[mondotiki]

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.