Keeping Cool at FW

[WDWFWfan]

Hi, I am going to FW in July-August and am looking for suggestions on how to keep the interior of my pop-up cool during the day. I have an air conditioner and a fan, but it is a large pop-up and the air simply cannot compete with the sun on the canvas (especially the bunk ends).

Does anyone have a suggestion for keeping the interior cooler? I have read that some people use silver tarps? to cover the bunk ends. Any suggestions?

Trying to keep my cool.

 

[AuburnJen92]

When we had our pop up, I would run the air all day, non-stop. I also got the tarps, like others had suggested. They do help. One other thing I did was get three fans and situate them in a way to make a circle with the air flow. It seemed to keep the pop-up cooler. I had an infant at the time, and he got really hot, really fast. The three fan system really helped keep my 6mo old cool. I hope that helps you. I would try it at home first so you know exactly where the best place is to put your fans. If it is a bigger pop-up, you might need four.

 

[jima53]

We run our ac only when we are at the popup. It does a god job of cooling. We also have the reflective bunkends made for the popup from another website forum. This is the major reason we don't camp in the summer or late spring. Families with kids can't really avoid this heat problem and visit WDW so good luck.

Jim

 

[DisCamper]

When I had my popup we used the silver emergence blankets in the sporting good section at Wal-Mart for about $2.00 ea and the big black springy paper clips.

 

[CarolinaBlue]

We run the AC all the time and use the bunkend covers. We ordered ours from another site. They are custom fit for our bunkends. They make a HUGE difference in temps. You can also reverse them in cold temps. to keep the heat inside.

 

[olbear]

Where so you find these relective covers. I looked on e-bay and nothing.

many thanks,
Winnie

 

[mamaloya]

Check out popupgizmos. Not sure of the website, but you can google it. It will come custom fit with the clips and everything. One more thing is that they sell fans that plug into the 12V plug in the ceiling of your popup. They are called bunkend fans. They will sometimes have a light as well. Not sure how effficient they are as we never used them. I have also heard of people putting one of the emergency blankets under their mattresses to keept he cold air from falling, not sure if it helps or not.

What we did do was run the air on high and point the vents up towards the ceiling. The air would sort of bounce and head to the bunkends. Just play with them until you find the right angle. We had a king on one end and could get the air to almost hit that "wall". Our problem was when the bunkends were comfy, anyone sleeping on the dinette had better have a good blanket because they would freeze. LOL

Wish I could be more help.

Happy Camping!

 

[tim5055]

The first thing many folks started using to cover the bunk ends is Reflectix®, which is a 5/16" thick, seven layer, reflective insulation which is available in rolls of various widths and lengths. Two outer layers of aluminum foil reflect 97% of radiant heat" It is unfortunate that it is not available in a width to cover the entire bed end and because of this it must be spliced to cover the end. Most users add grommets to the corners to allow it to be tied into place. A standard roll of reflectix of sufficient size for a pop-up is around $50 (with lots left over). It is available from most home improvement stores (Home Depot/Lowe's).

Other options include Mylar "space emergency blankets", which while highly reflective but are thin and susceptible to tearing and holes. Additionally the "silver" can rub off and stain the tenting on you pop up.

Some people use silver or gray tarps which are heavy duty, but are not as reflective.

Fo a while I used Sportsmens Blankets which are very reflective on one side. Again, it is unfortunate that they are also not available in a width to cover the entire bed end. Purchase 3 or 4 to spice or overlap toc cover the ends (depending on your roof size.

A couple of years ago custom made reflective covers exactly sized to the make/model of your pop up became available. I held out for a while, continuing to use other things but then gave up and purchased them. They are made by a nice guy in texas named Bob who had already been manufacturing a bracket for the Coleman roof air conditioner called a "Popupgizmo". If you look in the rearview mirror and see the shroud for your A/C unit shaking and jumping as you tow you need one of these. Take a look at it HERE.

Now, back to the solar bunkend covers. I must say the ones Bob makes work great. I used the sportsmens blankets first and I like Bob's better. They are an exact custom fit for your pop up and keep the bunk ends nice and cool. Just clip them on the top of the bunk ends (and the slide out in our case) before you pop all the way up. It helps keep the pop up cool.

Check them out on the Popupgizmos web site. Please note he has a notice onthe site that he will be closed from June 23nd - June 30th. All orders received by June 20th will ship by June 22nd. Orders received after June 20th will ship when we re-open. So if you want them soon order by the 20th.

For more information check out my Pop Up Camping Frequently Asked Questions Web Page
.

 

[tim5055]

Oh, and I forgot... Keep the A/C running all the time. It takes a while to get al the "stuff" inside you pop up cool, and turning it off and on just takes too long to cool things down when you get back to the site. After a long day of visiting Mickey you will love the A/C when you get back to the site.

 

[WDWFWfan]

Thanks for all the great advice. We will be running the A/C nonstop and using fans when we are present. I might also try out the solar blankets from Popupgizmos. They look interesting, do they really make a significant difference or just a minor one? I'm trying to determine if it's worth the investment. Also, how about the $2 space blankets? Do they help at all or are they too thin?

Thanks to all who have replied, sorry it took me so long to respond (Sundays are very busy for me).

 

[Colson39]

Is it just me or does anyone else find it ironic that someone named WDWFWfan is posting about using fans at the Fort???

lol

Agree with the above posters, we always keep our A/C running!

 

[tim5055]

They look interesting, do they really make a significant difference or just a minor one? I'm trying to determine if it's worth the investment.

They make a BIG difference!

Also, how about the $2 space blankets? Do they help at all or are they too thin?

As I said above, the space blankets will work - but the coating can rub off of them on your canvas and stain it. Once stained I have not heard o anyone who could get it off.

 

[kitamom]

PopupGizmos©

Solutions for campers created by campers

Date line June 15th, 2007: We will be closed from June23nd - June 30th. All orders received by June 20th will ship by June 22nd. Orders received after June 20th will ship when we re-open

So if you need them for Forth of July you need to order by tomorrow.

 

[CarolinaBlue]

I might also try out the solar blankets from Popupgizmos. They look interesting, do they really make a significant difference or just a minor one?

They make a HUGE difference in the temps inside our pop-up.

 

[olbear]

As I said above, the space blankets will work - but the coating can rub off of them on your canvas and stain it. Once stained I have not heard o anyone who could get it off.

Could you explain a bit more. What would make them stain??
Thanks for info

Winnie

 

[WDWFWfan]

Thanks, that's what I needed to know. I guess I forgot about the whole staining issue...it's looks like we will be ordering from popupgizmos. However, I will have to measure first...they do not list my model. Thanks for the suggestions.