Staying cool in a tent

[mamaloya]

Ok guys, I WON'T be lugging an a/c with me to the fort. #1-don't have room. #2-I am not strong enough to move one around. Sooooo....

What type of fan is the best? In late May/ early June, is it going to be too hot at night to sleep? I was there in mid May a few years ago in a tent and it was perfect, no fan needed. I think we just kept a tiny one running for white noise but actually had blankets.

Is there a possibility that it will actually be chilly at night? Keep in mind that I get cold easy.

Here are the options I am considering. I have 2 little heater fans. They have a heat setting and a fan setting. The fan blows OK, but won't do anything if it is over 90. These will come in handy if I get cold. I could also bring my electric blanket just in case, if you guys think it may get below 60 at night. (I know I am a wus.)

I also have a big powerful fan that blows you away on hi and can be angled up to circulate if need be. I could also buy one of those oscillating fans.

Carol, I also wanted to ask you if I remember correctly that you recommend a fan be left on all day? I assume on low.

Thanks guys.

BTW, if any of you know of a small, lightweight portable a/c, I would consider that one. LOL

 

[clkelley]

Carol, I also wanted to ask you if I remember correctly that you recommend a fan be left on all day? I assume on low.

Yep, open/crack the windows in your tent and leave that fan on. Helps dry things out after breathing out all that wet air all night.

 

[NJRRK]

I can't imagine the temps dropping below 60 that time of year in FL, unless there is a spate of unusually rainy days.

 

[SandrA9810]

You will not be cold at night. I'm cold at 75degrees. I'm sitting in sweats right now at 65... (yeah, native floridian)...

After our first horendous trip to the fort in July for the first time, I've never left home without our window AC. The tables are usually pretty good height for the tent window (so is the tailgate on the truck). We've got two, a huge one and a little one room size, and the little one isn't much bigger than suitcase and not that heavy.

But as for what kind of fan... don't really have any ideas on that.

 

[darthspud]

you have peeked my interest..
how do you put an ac unit in a tent?

 

[ElementCamper]

you have peeked my interest..
how do you put an ac unit in a tent?

I have used one of the portable A/C units that has a hose on the back for the hot air to normally be blown out the window. You stick the hose in the tent door to blow the hot air outside,zip the door down around it and crank 'er up and enjoy! These are available any place air conditioners are sold.
(I have to admit, for a man I'm kind of a princess when it comes to camping, you should see what happens when a pea is left under my sleeping bag)!

 

[darthspud]

I have used one of the portable A/C units that has a hose on the back for the hot air to normally be blown out the window. You stick the hose in the tent door to blow the hot air outside,zip the door down around it and crank 'er up and enjoy! These are available any place air conditioners are sold.
(I have to admit, for a man I'm kind of a princess when it comes to camping, you should see what happens when a pea is left under my sleeping bag)!

Ok so they are specialty ac units for camping? I thought people like lugged down window air conditions...

 

[mnsprk]

Ok so they are specialty ac units for camping? I thought people like lugged down window air conditions...

No they are actually for homes/apts but since they have a hose to exhaust the hot air out thru a window they can easily be adapted for a tent or pop-up..They look like an extra large dehumidifier..Home Depot, Sams, Walmart, Lowes, Costco all usually carry them. Less money than an RV specific unit but not quite as efficient.

 

[Shasta]

Ha! I do lug around a small home unit but it works great! All tents are different but mine had two bay type window and I placed a piece of Styrofoam board in the window and cut a round hole to fit the vent into. It works great! I almost forgot, since it has a remote control, I can adjust the temp from my soft air mattress.

 

[SandrA9810]

I just set the AC on the table, and slide the tent up to it. I also use a tarp over the top to keept the air directed in. I probably loose a lot of air out the bottom, but it does it's job good enough.

I usually hook it up to a timer thing so it comes on in the afternoon and shuts off in the morning without me having to worry about it.

 

[ElementCamper]

That rig is exactly 'me' before I got the T@B, now I just flip the thermostat and 'ah!'

That is one of the best improvised setups I've seen, good on ya!

 

[clkelley]

There is also this:

http://acboot.com/

 

[Tigger1966]

I agree We were there that time last year and you will need some cool air at night to sleep after the hot days in the park. I would look into the portable AC units unless you like sleeping in sweat.
I never could understand how people can stay in a hot tent after sweating all day in the parks

 

[ElementCamper]

There is also this:

http://acboot.com/

Wow Carol, I have to bow to the master!
You find the neatest camping stuff!
That would have been handy at Dale Hollow two years ago in August, tent camping and the average daily temp was around 102!

 

[des1954]

I've also seen people create make-shift boots for A/C units with duct tape. That requires cutting a hole in the side of your tent - but it's doable. Just remember to bring something to raise the A/C unit off the ground - like a plastic crate - or something similar.

 

[chipscamping buddy]

We use the black turbofans from WM. Relatively small and nicely enclosed, but they are very powerful.

Of course a nice little a/c unit is even better.