It's hot! Shade cloth for over TOP of my AS?

[FCloud9]

Originally Posted by basecamper

We have an Airstream Basecamp. In the heat of summer, when we are parked in the sun, we strategically place three triangular shade sails (Amazon) to block the direct sunlight on the roof and sides....and it makes a huge difference. Shade sails are rain and wind permeable, so you don't have to worry about the wind getting under them/lifting them up, plus you still get breezes underneath. We attach them to the top of the Basecamp with bungees and to the ground with bungees and lightweight metal stakes. The shade sails even look "cool"....not at all like tarps.

Base camper,
Would really like to view a photo of your sails setup w. your Airstream....sounds like an excellent idea!

[basecamper]

I should have taken photos, but I didn't...so I'll try and describe exactly what we do with shade sails. A big part of the solar gain from sunlight hitting directly on the Basecamp is from the sides (not so much from the top). We attach one corner of each triangle to the top with bungees. (The Basecamp has some bars on top that we can attach to.) We then bring the remaining two corners of each triangle OUT and downward toward the ground and, using bungees and lightweight aluminum tent stakes, attach to the ground. So, the shade sail is actually at about a 45-degree angle in relation to the Basecamp. (You can walk underneath between the Basecamp and the shade sail.) We do this with all three shade sails, overlapping them in places and placing them where they will best follow the path of the sun as it moves across the sky. (We ordered our shade sails from Amazon. Prices were reasonable there. They are available in triangles or squares in various colors and sizes. Our blue triangles are very cool....both in appearance and function!)

[carver 1]

Phifertex.

Used on boats to provide shade and repel insects under the Bimini. Can be made to shape with a sewing machine.

>>ron<<

[cwf]

Along the "sprinkler" thread, you could dig up some mister nozzles on some Flamingoes beaks..... Mount all over the AS!

Nah... May come home to "roost"...

Seriously, water misting reduces temp by evaporation, but water impurities will be an issue.

So, rather than put up a big tarp, what about rolling out some Reflectix on the roof? That would mean install/removal to tow the AS, but if you bungee from side to side it should hold in place unless you get a bad wind.

[KrisE MN]

Originally Posted by basecamper

I should have taken photos, but I didn't...so I'll try and describe exactly what we do with shade sails. A big part of the solar gain from sunlight hitting directly on the Basecamp is from the sides (not so much from the top). We attach one corner of each triangle to the top with bungees. (The Basecamp has some bars on top that we can attach to.) We then bring the remaining two corners of each triangle OUT and downward toward the ground and, using bungees and lightweight aluminum tent stakes, attach to the ground. So, the shade sail is actually at about a 45-degree angle in relation to the Basecamp. (You can walk underneath between the Basecamp and the shade sail.) We do this with all three shade sails, overlapping them in places and placing them where they will best follow the path of the sun as it moves across the sky. (We ordered our shade sails from Amazon. Prices were reasonable there. They are available in triangles or squares in various colors and sizes. Our blue triangles are very cool....both in appearance and function!)

Love your idea! Can you tell me what size you got? There are quite a few configurations. There's 12 and 16'

I found this Video on how to attach sail shade to awning track rail.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBtV1RtimzE

[basecamper]

We bought three different sizes of shade sails....16.5', 11.5', and 10' (Amazon.com : Outsunny Triangle Outdoor Patio Sun Shade Sail Canopy, 16.5-Feet, Blue : Patio, Lawn & Garden) ....and use them in different configurations, depending on the angle of the sun as it moves across the sky at a specific location. You would probably want to choose your sizes based on the size of your Airstream. Our AS Basecamp is small....only 16' long.

[DearCatJ]

I have been considering NASA insulating paint on Insulating Paint | Insulating Ceramic Paint Additive | Official NASA Spinoff if this becomes a hugh problem when I am full timing. But the loss of the beautiful glow of the aluminum....... booo!

[SeeMore]

DearCatJ- Research thread re: coatings here. You'll want an elastomeric paint.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f478...lex-98479.html

[cwf]

Originally Posted by DearCatJ

I have been considering NASA insulating paint on Insulating Paint | Insulating Ceramic Paint Additive | Official NASA Spinoff if this becomes a hugh problem when I am full timing. But the loss of the beautiful glow of the aluminum....... booo!

The Ceramflex is no longer available... per the manufacturer..

Thanks for posting this... looks like a great replacement!