shades ideas to keep the sun off Camper?

[kilboar]

Hey All,

I keep a camper in the woods and have been trying to come up with a simple way to put a shade cloth over the camper to keep it cooler and not make the AC run all day.

My latest idea is to attach some poles to the rear and front trailer hitch that I could then secure a shade cloth to. something I could even take down when I leave. The cloth would maybe be a 1'-2' higher than the roof to let air flow though. Kind of like out riggers on a fishing boat I guess.

Anybody make anything like this?

[Boomerweps]

There are shades you can buy in many sizes made for greenhouses. It is mesh like. Various colors, too. I bought a roll in tan, then grommet kit from Harbor Freight. I can hang it from my awning or my back porch which faces west and can be a killer glare.
I do not know the extent of the sizes.

[JoeH]

You might want to look into getting a camo net for a cover... won't catch the wind and will partially block the sun light Some examples of camo netting
One used as a shade cover

[spoon059]

OP, couple of ideas. If its a permanent site, I'd suggest a Carolina Carport. I bought a 31' by 18' on 10' legs for $2400 a couple years ago. Keeps sun, rain, branches, etc off my roof most of the year at home.

Otherwise, I'd suggest buying a large sunsail style shade and securing it to the trees around your camper. They do a GREAT job of cutting sunlight and heat. We have a large one over our deck at home and it makes it so much nicer on a hot sunny day. We paid about $45 for ours.

[Super_Dave]

I’m betting that the majority of heat gain is from the walls, not the roof.

[kilboar]

valhalla360 wrote:

kilboar wrote:

Thank you, yeah we get winds. Lots of trees around it as well but thats another issue.

I found this but not sure it leaves enough room for the AC unit to breath.

https://www.shaderv.com/shadervinstallation

Any idea how much it will cost to replace the roof after these chafe thru the rubber roof?

I wouldn't let it touch the roof and I'm really just looking for a temporary shade cloth while I'm there. 3-4 days a month.

[valhalla360]

kilboar wrote:

Thank you, yeah we get winds. Lots of trees around it as well but thats another issue.

I found this but not sure it leaves enough room for the AC unit to breath.

https://www.shaderv.com/shadervinstallation

Any idea how much it will cost to replace the roof after these chafe thru the rubber roof?

[kilboar]

steveh27 wrote:
I've been looking at this for a time. There are many on youtube. Here's one:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ulGTlmcffI

Here's some other threads:
https://www.forestriverforums.com/forums/f2/newbie-using-a-shade-sail-to-protect-rv-from-the-sun-147...

Here's a parts supplier:
https://www.a1tarps.com/low-peak-fittings.html

Thank you much, very helpful.

[Fisherman]

steveh27 wrote:


Here's a parts supplier:
https://www.a1tarps.com/low-peak-fittings.html

I used a bunch of those from that supplier, you can make a pretty stable frame from those, used it for a summer boat cover to keep the leaves and bird poop out of the boat.

[steveh27]

I've been looking at this for a time. There are many on youtube. Here's one:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ulGTlmcffI

Here's some other threads:
https://www.forestriverforums.com/forums/f2/newbie-using-a-shade-sail-to-protect-rv-from-the-sun-147...

Here's a parts supplier:
https://www.a1tarps.com/low-peak-fittings.html

[rlw999]

I've heard of people adding foam board insulation to their RV ceiling for extra insulation in the winter. I wonder how a sunshade compares to adding another R-5 or R-10 worth of insulation to the roof?

[dedmiston]

Lwiddis wrote:
One to two inches isn't enough IMO.

Read it again. It's feet, not inches.

[Lwiddis]

Firmly anchored from trees is the only way when their are winds. One to two inches isn't enough IMO.

[kilboar]

valhalla360 wrote:
If there is no wind, that might be viable.

If you've ever seen an awning caught in a good wind, it can be pretty violent. Might need 3ft from the roof so it isn't slamming into the air/con housing.

Bigger issue is you will need to figure a way to deploy easily.

PS: don't count on the 4" tube at the back handling heavy loads.

Thank you, yeah we get winds. Lots of trees around it as well but thats another issue.

I found this but not sure it leaves enough room for the AC unit to breath.

https://www.shaderv.com/shadervinstallation

[valhalla360]

If there is no wind, that might be viable.

If you've ever seen an awning caught in a good wind, it can be pretty violent. Might need 3ft from the roof so it isn't slamming into the air/con housing.

Bigger issue is you will need to figure a way to deploy easily.

PS: don't count on the 4" tube at the back handling heavy loads.