I'm thinking of doing some boon docking and was looking for a system to block sunlight from hitting the roof, keep the camper cooler. I was trying to find, with no success, some kind of awning/canopy which I could extend to shade the roof - like the one on the side which shades/rain protects the outdoor seating area.
I was wondering if such a product exists or could be adapted from the mesh awnings dumptrucks and similar vehicles use to keep their contents from blowing out during transport.
A little something to reduce the need for AC when running on a generator. I've found websites where boondockers post about putting a deck over their rig for storage and an added benefit is shade to keep the camper cool.
I could envision a support bar or three going from side to side, depending on trailer length, to keep the awning suspended above the roof and out of contact with the stuff what live up there.
I have one I use over my open top deck in the summer months. It's 16'x20' that I put up in the spring and take down in the fall. The wind, rain will pass thru it yet provice protection from the sun. The temp difference is very noticable when under the 'sun shade sail.'
They are availalbe in many sizes and colors from multiple sellers like Ebay and Amazon and elsewhere.
X2 on the Sun Shade Sail. What ever you use it needs to be able to handle wind. Wind will tear up canopies awning etc. The trick to a Sun Sail is to get it tight when deploying.
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2015 FunFinder 210uds, 2014 Silverado LTZ-Z71 Regular Cab Short Box, 5.3l with towing package
Given that most camper roofs are white with 4 or more inches of foam in the ceiling, I would be real surprised if a sail or awning would really help much. You would be better off investing in a fantastic fan to move air through the camper.
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2013 Highlander AWD
2010 Fun Finder 189FBR
Into Camping and RC Flying
My experience is that it is cooler under my awning than standing in the direct sun. The shade will help keep it cooler but Fantastic Fans also help and work great. For maximum cooling definitely use both. Just my two cents. Silverado.
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2015 FunFinder 210uds, 2014 Silverado LTZ-Z71 Regular Cab Short Box, 5.3l with towing package
My experience is that it is cooler under my awning than standing in the direct sun. The shade will help keep it cooler but Fantastic Fans also help and work great. For maximum cooling definitely use both. Just my two cents. Silverado.
I know when stepping from direct sun to under the sun shade, it feels like there is a 20 degree drop in temperature.
My opinion.
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2012 Fun Finder XT 276 Toy Hauler & Harley Davidson Ultra Classic with Condor wheel chock
2014 Dodge Ram 2500 AT 4X4 Crew Cab 6.4 L Hemi, 373 gears, tow package, Rambox option, Revolver X2 tonneau cover, Equal-I-zer anti-sway hitch.
The sail will work great -- but only if you can find trees high enough to mount the ropes, and then find a way to get the ropes up into the trees without getting tangled in the branches. If you figure that out, let me know, because I want to copy whatever you did to solve those issues!
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2008 Fun Finder 189 FBR, (replaced by) 1996 Shasta 265DBFW April 2017.
2006 Jeep Liberty 3.7 (replaced by.....)
2006 Chevy 2500HD, Duramax, crew cab
It's a big world...explore it!!!
That is the insulation I placed behind the fiberglass cap on our 2015 FF 210uds. I found out how poorly the front was insulated when I pulled the front wood panels to install the clothing racks above the clothes hangers in the two front wardrobes. Makes a difference with the heat and cold. Shade for the whole trailer is still the ideal solution. Silverado
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2015 FunFinder 210uds, 2014 Silverado LTZ-Z71 Regular Cab Short Box, 5.3l with towing package
Unique tow vehicle you have connected to your camper.
Yes Eagle it is. Lol I use it to move my trailer around the farm, I use the three point hitch to lift it and move around without using the jack. It saves getting in and out of the truck a bunch of times just to move it around when camping there or working on the trailer.
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2015 FunFinder 210uds, 2014 Silverado LTZ-Z71 Regular Cab Short Box, 5.3l with towing package