Need advice for temporary insulation for summer TX heat

[KLK]

I’m living in my 1966 30’ Sovereign Airstream in central TX.
My AC went out so I bought a portable one, but it’s not doing the job.
I have access to some carpet pad material.
What are thoughts of glueing strips to the interior roof and if so, what product should I use to attach it that won’t leave permanent glue on the ceiling when I remove it?
106 degrees today outside.
Thank you!

[azflycaster]

I doubt that carpet pads have much insulation value. I think you would be disappointed with the results. Your best results will come from keeping your trailer out of the sun. Building a canopy with tarps would be a better short term solution, IMO.

[Bill M.]

You need to replace the AC. One thing that helps cooling a lot if you are where you can do is to mist water on the roof and sunny sides of the trailer with a garden hose. All awnings deployed. All the carpet is going to do is to add mass to hold heat and make it worse. Another thing is to block off the space in the trailer so you are only cooling a small space. Me, I would probably be in a motel room with AC until I got the AC replaced. Or riding around all day in the truck with the AC going.

[Julie-Bob]

Originally Posted by Bill M.

You need to replace the AC. One thing that helps cooling a lot if you are where you can do is to mist water on the roof and sunny sides of the trailer with a garden hose. All awnings deployed. All the carpet is going to do is to add mass to hold heat and make it worse. Another thing is to block off the space in the trailer so you are only cooling a small space. Me, I would probably be in a motel room with AC until I got the AC replaced. Or riding around all day in the truck with the AC going.

Purchase a roll of this to cover windows and exhaust fan opening

Reflectix Double Reflective Insulation.

Like someone has stated above Change out AC until then rent a room.

[Belegedhel]

Most of the "portable" AC units are garbage, because they only have an "exhaust" hose that goes to the outdoors, but no inlet. As a result, you are pumping the air you have already cooled out the exhaust port, and drawing hot air into the trailer through every crack.

If you can get your hands on a "cheap" 10k or better window unit, and have the ability to jury-rig a mount for it in one of your windows, you might find some relief. But definitely, putting Reflectix in all your windows and vents, and parking in the shade will be better than nothing.

My heart goes out to you!

[JohnTF]

As said - get out of the direct sunlight , a canopy .
I had the same issue - roof air died , so I used 1/4 plywood , took off the screen holders and used as a pattern for he screw holes , then cut a hole in the plywood to match a regular window AC , but the hole should be low as possible in window opening .
Now mount the plywood with the screws that held the screen frame inplace .
Then slide the window AC into the hole in plywood .
DO NOT TAVIAL WITH AC IN THIS !
I have a rear bedroom and did not want to have AC blow directly on the bed , so put one window AC in mid-bath window and another in front living room window .
I use 2 AC units because both units are small 500 btu AC units .
Also for a quick cheap , a garden soaker hose making a U shape long enough to make a U shape a wet down both sides of trailer - You do not need more then enough to just keep the roof wet .

[bibbs]

Yes a portable garage would work well.

[mikextr]

Originally Posted by JohnTF

Also for a quick cheap , a garden soaker hose making a U shape long enough to make a U shape a wet down both sides of trailer - You do not need more then enough to just keep the roof wet .

Great idea!

[suncoasteng]

Insulation does not work as well as shade. Reduce direct heat intake to your RV by parking it under a tree, or better yet buy some shade cloth from a greenhouse supply company, put up 4 or 6 vertical posts and suspend it 4' to 5' above the roof of your RV