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Topic: Sun & Heat Damage Protection (Read 993 times) previous topic - next topic

Sun & Heat Damage Protection

I'll be spending the summer along the Colorado River in AZ this summer -- where it gets REALLY hot -- and would like to protect my skylight and AC shrouds from the sun and heat. It will be 100+ next week and as high as 126 in June, July & August.
Any suggestions for cover material?
Do I need to lower my tire pressure?
1993 U225 Build #: 4285
500 Watts Solar
Honda CRV AWD
Former 1981 Foretravel Travco
Retired, Full Time Off Grid Snowbird

Re: Sun & Heat Damage Protection

Reply #1 –
Reflectix, from Lowes, Home Depot, etc. is what I used on windows, trapped between the panes and the pull-down curtains on the sun-side when parked.
It's lightweight, not expensive, and insulates as well as reflects the radiant heat.
Reflectix - The Home Depot
I even ran a 12" tall strip across the top of my windshield, in two pieces, which cut down on a LOT of heat while driving.
Steven
1997 U320 40'  Orlando, FL
"Purple Haze" which will soon be for sale.... !

Re: Sun & Heat Damage Protection

Reply #2 –
Quote from: StevenOrlando –
Reflectix, from Lowes, Home Depot, etc. is what I used on windows, trapped between the panes and the pull-down curtains on the sun-side when parked.
It's lightweight, not expensive, and insulates as well as reflects the radiant heat.
Reflectix - The Home Depot
I even ran a 12" tall strip across the top of my windshield, in two pieces, which cut down on a LOT of heat while driving.
Steven

Thank you Steven. Did you use it on the exterior? If so, what did you use to secure the Reflectix?
1993 U225 Build #: 4285
500 Watts Solar
Honda CRV AWD
Former 1981 Foretravel Travco
Retired, Full Time Off Grid Snowbird

Re: Sun & Heat Damage Protection

Reply #3 –
Quote from: Dakota Slim –
Thank you Steven. Did you use it on the exterior? If so, what did you use to secure the Reflectix?
We use lite weight velcro strips , works great!  b^.^d
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: Sun & Heat Damage Protection

Reply #4 –
Great. Thanks Mike.
1993 U225 Build #: 4285
500 Watts Solar
Honda CRV AWD
Former 1981 Foretravel Travco
Retired, Full Time Off Grid Snowbird

Re: Sun & Heat Damage Protection

Reply #5 –
I used spray adhesive on the Refletix. Let it cure completely and it will still have enough 'tack' remaining to adhere to the inside of the windshield. The glue is holding up only a few ounces of material per square foot.  It can be removed without any residue even after a year or three.

I also lined each of the interior overhead storage compartments with Reflectix. It greatly reduced the heat in those compartments, where food and supplies are kept.

I also added it to the inside of the plastic frig cover, being careful to not obscure the air vents. This is the outide flue cover where the frig igniter, etc. is contained.
1997 U320 40'  Orlando, FL
"Purple Haze" which will soon be for sale.... !

Re: Sun & Heat Damage Protection

Reply #6 –
Dark paint takes more work to insulate from sun heating
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Sun & Heat Damage Protection

Reply #7 –
I'm not sure if you should reflectics on the inside of thermopane windows. It could trap the uv and heat inside the glass and compromise the seal and or glass.

Re: Sun & Heat Damage Protection

Reply #8 –
Quote from: JohnBest –
I'm not sure if you should reflectics....... could trap the uv and heat inside the glass and compromise the seal and or glass.

If it does not trap it on the way in, why would it trap it on the way out?
97 U295 40, Build #5040, 6C8.3 325 HP
Oregon Continuous Traveler
Samsung Residential #RF20HFENBSR,
Xantrex SW2012, (3)AGM8D Hse, (2)AGM Grp24 Eng, Victron BMV-712, 1800w Solar 4 LG & 2 Sunpower
Extreme Full Body Pt w/hdlmps, new furn/floor, 4 down Lexus 2004 GX470 AWD curb weight 4,740 lbs
Prev: 1990 Barth, 10L 300 2 yrs; 91&92 Monaco Signature, 10 yrs, 10L C 300 &  6C8.3 300; 1997 ForeT 6C8.3 325 since May 2017.  Employed by Guaranty RV 14+ yrs.  Former VW New Car Dlr/Service Dlr, Sales Mgr, Rv Sales, and Service Adviser from 1968-2017
"Don't criticize what you can't understand" Bob Dylan

Re: Sun & Heat Damage Protection

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Jack L –
If it does not trap it on the way in, why would it trap it on the way out?


Clearly if you have insulation on the INSIDE, it will raise temperature in the air between glass and insulation and also the glass itself.
That is why the UV screens on the outside of the windshield work well for reducing inside temperature.

When dry camping with windshield facing the sun, have even placed the insulation under the UV screen/outside the windshield. 
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Sun & Heat Damage Protection

Reply #10 –
I found that placing pipe insulators between my Magna Shade and the windshield reduces the heat transfer into the coach to the ambient temperature outside.

Here are some pictures of it on my old coach looking from the inside out and from the outside.

Oscar & Janet Valent
2023 Coach House 261XLQD
Former 2004 U320 3820 PBBS
Former 2007 Newell Coach #815
2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit

Re: Sun & Heat Damage Protection

Reply #11 –
Interesting concept Oscar......would be alot of work on our 95 GV
Hans & Marjet
1995 U300 "Ben" (#4719)
3176B Cat,4060HD,Jake
SKP#139131
Motorcade#17579
2006 Honda Element (towed)

Re: Sun & Heat Damage Protection

Reply #12 –
I too live in the desert in southern Nevada. Always thinking of ways to get out of the heat. Our house has 5700 square feet of metal awnings around it and my shop. Metal stops the UV ultraviolet. Have joked for years about painting all my tires with white latex paint. Lower temps and a additional seal to help slow oils from out gassing from the rubber tires. Last year I had the windshield of my suburban tinted, yes tinted with ceramic tint which reduces UV by 90% as I recall. Very very light color. Home run. Will eventually do the coach. I don't adjust tire pressure down during the summer months. Actually run cooler at higher pressures. Less flex. Covering the south exposed side tires with anything will help. Cutting tire shades out of "polar ply" OSB sheeting will stop the uv and insulate well to protect them. Around $14 dollars a sheet and you can get Lowe's or Home Depot to cut to size for a couple more bucks. Stop by there paint department and grab a quart of miss matched paint to seal. Cheap. Under $25 and have life long wheel covers.
Scott

Re: Sun & Heat Damage Protection

Reply #13 –
Hans,

Not much work to it.  On my U320 I ordered a Magna Shade to fit the windshield and only use 4 half inch pipe insulators purchased from Home Depot or Lowes and cut them to fit the height of your shade and slip them up between the Magna Shade and the windshield.  That air gap keeps the heat from transmitting into your coach.

Other makes of shades would probably work too but I chose Magna Shade for I can put it up from the ground by myself without having to climb up on a ladder.

Oscar
Oscar & Janet Valent
2023 Coach House 261XLQD
Former 2004 U320 3820 PBBS
Former 2007 Newell Coach #815
2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit

Re: Sun & Heat Damage Protection

Reply #14 –
What do magna shades run price wise.
Are they held on by magnets?
1999 U270 40 #5518
USN. USPS.

Re: Sun & Heat Damage Protection

Reply #15 –
Our coach has a set of white woven clip on shades that came with it.  Made in palmsprings and the original owners lived in Arizona.  Work very well.  Careful when installing magna shades.  The magnet is so strong if you let it cover the distance to the windshield it can break the glass.  Had to be carefully slid off its mounting card onto the windshield.

 
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Sun & Heat Damage Protection

Reply #17 –
Quote from: Dakota Slim –
Do I need to lower my tire pressure?
Set your tires to the desired pressure when they are cold.  First thing in the morning before the sun hits them is a good time.

Once the (cold) pressure is set, don't worry about the increase in pressure due to temperature change.  The tires (and wheels) are designed to handle it.
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"