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?

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.

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

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

Lwiddis wrote:One to two inches isn't enough IMO.Read it again. It's feet, not inches.

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?

shades ideas to keep the sun off Camper? | Good Sam Community

valhalla360
Navigator
Jun 07, 2021
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.
kilboar
Explorer
Jun 07, 2021
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
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Jun 07, 2021
Firmly anchored from trees is the only way when their are winds. One to two inches isn't enough IMO.
dedmiston
Moderator
Jun 07, 2021
Lwiddis wrote:
One to two inches isn't enough IMO.

Read it again. It's feet, not inches.
rlw999
Explorer
Jun 07, 2021
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?
steveh27
Explorer
Jun 08, 2021
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-147372.html

Here's a parts supplier:
https://www.a1tarps.com/low-peak-fittings.html
Fisherman
Explorer
Jun 08, 2021
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.
kilboar
Explorer
Jun 08, 2021
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-147372.html

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

Thank you much, very helpful.
valhalla360
Navigator
Jun 08, 2021
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
Explorer
Jun 08, 2021
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.