Roof shade? Awning to shade roof?

[Beachseeker]

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.

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200349605_200349605

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.

Thoughts?

 

[Dakota 1120]

I believe a "sun shade sail" would work well.

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.

Here is an example: https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=sun+sail&_sacat=0

 

[Silverado-FUN]

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.

 

[Dakota 1120]

Yup, pull it up tight.

Mine has been up in 50 MPH winds and it will flutter some but no issues.

 

[twinster2]

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.

 

[Silverado-FUN]

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.

 

[Dakota 1120]

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.

 

[profdant139]

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!

 

[Dakota 1120]

Aluminum or fiberglass telescoping poles but then the OP didn't ask about that so probably already has that issue resolved. ;-) ?

 

[M Wilkie]

Rolls of......
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Reach-B...BEgLtdfD_BwE&dclid=COWMirPy6dkCFQUPPwodAvcL3Q

 

[Silverado-FUN]

Rolls of......
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Reach-B...BEgLtdfD_BwE&dclid=COWMirPy6dkCFQUPPwodAvcL3Q

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

 

[Dakota 1120]

Unique tow vehicle you have connected to your camper.

 

[Silverado-FUN]

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.