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Floatingair · 08-07-2015, 10:15 AM

This summer has been blistering hot. My A/C, only 13,500 btu just isn't cooling my Airstream down. I was thinking about doing a greenhouse shade for my Airstream.
I thought about buying two Monarc Portable Canopies (10'x18') from
Portable Garage Depot: Instant Temporary Portable Garages, Carports and Building Kits
Does anyone have any thoughts? Should buy this or something else?

kb0zke · 08-07-2015, 08:13 PM

Hmmm, when we left Stillwater the end of May it was still fairly cool and rainy.

Seriously, I would wonder about airflow with a cover. It sounds like you are living in your coach permanently, rather than moving around. You will still need the a/c now and the furnace later. If you get a cover that is open at both ends you may create a wind tunnel if the wind is from the right direction. If not, what will let the heat from the a/c escape? Remember that an a/c just moves heat from one place to another, and that heat has to go somewhere. Since heat rises, will it be trapped at the roof? Also remember that an a/c acts as a dehumidifier, which means that it takes some of the humidity out of the air inside the coach and dumps it outside. Usually that water is exposed to sunlight, so it evaporates. In your covered area it may not evaporate, and you might have a puddle that could attract mosquitoes.

Just a few things to think about.

chaseav · 08-07-2015, 08:57 PM

We use our AS to migrate north to cooler weather for that very reason. Just returned south and agree that the AC unit can barely keep up when in direct sunlight. The tent / awning idea seems logical but they catch wind very easily and I assume would go airborne with not a whole lot of wind. I'd suggest finding natural shade first though not sure how much of that there is in OK.

AWCHIEF · 08-07-2015, 09:23 PM

I have used portable garages. Issues I had was short life of the cover, UV kills them in less than a year. They are not very storm resistant.

sbeckett · 08-08-2015, 12:20 PM

Try a window unit. Cut plywood, thickness to match window slot, to fill the gap and provide strength for supporting AC unit. I have 2, one in the bedroom and one in the living area. This actually lowered our electric bill considerably! Good luck and be cool!

silverwheels · 08-08-2015, 12:58 PM

I use reflective bubble insulation for window covers which work surprisingly well!!

something like this
Double Bubble Foil Insulation 500 sq ft - Bubble Wrap Insulation

Additionally, I use a DC fan which I purchased from the Airstream website
https://store.airstream.com/product/...-portable-fan/

** the fan has doubled as a home made air conditioner when used with a cooler of ice- while boon docking! :roll eyes:

Floatingair · 08-08-2015, 01:49 PM

I'll move the AS to another RV park spot with shade ASAP. This winter, I'll move the AS back to a no shade RV spot. I'm going to buy a UV Shade Sail as a temporary AS roof shade. This winter, I'll upgrade my A/C to a 15,000 btu unit.Being a full timer in an AS is going to be allot harder than I thought.
Thanks for the suggestions.

AWCHIEF · 08-08-2015, 02:20 PM

To me Airstreams are just not the best choice for full timing. They simply are not designed for it. Marginal contractor spec grade appliance, waste and AC systems. Hot in the summer and cold in the winter, minimum storage, Etc.

badkat · 08-08-2015, 03:32 PM

Been full-timing in by 28' for 2 and half years and love it. Just move with the weather..go to places that are cool in the summer and vice versa. Also have met many other Airstreamers on the road.. Watson's Wander, Aluminarium and met a few at the AS plant in Jackson Ctr. One had been on the road in a 34' for 16 yrs.

Not for everyone but I have no complaints!

merchantmm · 08-08-2015, 04:37 PM

We had a street side awning installed on our 2015 fb twin Flying Cloud just a couple weeks ago for exactly the same reason. Taking it out next weekend. Will let you know how it works out.

Adiredneck · 08-08-2015, 05:27 PM

If you are just looking to be in the two RV parks (one for winter, one for summer), You might want to look at an aluminum carport/shelter(s). It will give you the shade, be open enough to vent well, and protect your A/S from hail. I've heard about your OK hail - they make your Airstream look like a golf ball!

chaseav · 08-08-2015, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by merchantmm

We had a street side awning installed on our 2015 fb twin Flying Cloud just a couple weeks ago for exactly the same reason. Taking it out next weekend. Will let you know how it works out.

Please do! I'm thinking about getting them but need incentive. Those things are expensive!

basecamper · 08-08-2015, 08:31 PM

We always have shade sails packed away in our Airstream Basecamp, in case we are parked in the sun in hot weather. They make a world of difference.

Unclebill53 · 08-14-2015, 06:37 AM

Shade sails? Can you explain that a bit more. I have considered military style camo covers. They use it to hide big guns etc but they provide great shade. Bulky but manageable.

Remax gal · 08-14-2015, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unclebill53

Shade sails? Can you explain that a bit more. I have considered military style camo covers. They use it to hide big guns etc but they provide great shade. Bulky but manageable.

I agree, I love shade sails and would love to know how those of you that use them are setting them up. We live in Florida and could sure use the extra shade!

Laura & Tom

Danattherock · 08-14-2015, 07:31 AM

When I lived in arctic Alaska, locals used aluminum foil and scotch tape to block out 100% of sun from entering windows. I realize an Airstream with aluminum windows would be, well, shiny. But if you have a few lower priority windows, this would be a cheap experiment. $5. You remind me why everyone I've talked with recently says to get two AC units when we buy our Airstream. The older I get, 42, the less I enjoy the heat of summer. One of many reasons we want a camper.

Dan

slowmover · 08-15-2015, 01:16 AM

Reflectix for the windows.

Charcoal fabric on outer side and complementary interior color for that side. Super 33 aerosol and some staples. Or UV resistant garden shade cloth.

Avoids the ghetto look.

Dingo Girl · 08-15-2015, 04:41 AM

I think they are talking about the triangular shaped nylon sun shades available at camping outlets.
I just looked, Target carries them.
Just Google "sun shade sail"
They are what I will get for my Airstream when it is completed.

basecamper · 08-15-2015, 07:43 AM

Shade sails can be purchased at Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00IOT...110_SY165_QL70

Different colors and sizes are available, and they are relatively inexpensive. They fold up compactly. We figure out how the sun will be traveling across the sky and place the shade sails (3 of them) strategically to block the sun fron the side(s) of our AS. How many you need will depend on the size of your AS. We attach a corner of each shade sail to the top of our Basecamp, then bring remaining two corners of each shade sail out and down to the ground (about a 45-degree angle) and secure with bungees and lightweight stakes. Shade sails are water and wind permeable, so breezes and rain are not a problem. If you color-coordinate, they even look cool!