Cool air ventilation

[toypusher]

You always migrate to the shade becasue it's cooler. So this would be a system that would pull shaded air as apposed to suned air. I think it would be cooler and seems that we have a few members with it in action.

I was just thinking (can be dangerous sometimes) and maybe you would want to have a system that allows you to pull air in from one side or the other and be able to switch witch one is in use. That way, if the sun is shinning on the left side of your tear, then you use the duct on the right side to reduce the amount of warmer air coming in. Just a thought.

[Endo]

I really like the idea of a vent under the trailer for increased air flow. But how much time do you guys spend inside your tear when the sun is out?? The only time that I am in my tear is after dark, or maybe if it's raining. Don't get me wrong I still like the idea. A vent in the floor near my feet should really increase the air flow. If it's raining I could still open the floor vent and crack the roof vent for some circulation without getting wet.

Thanks for the idea.

[TRAIL-OF-TEARS]

You always migrate to the shade becasue it's cooler. So this would be a system that would pull shaded air as apposed to suned air. I think it would be cooler and seems that we have a few members with it in action.

I did not pull fresh air from under the tear because it is cooler I only did it because my A/C sits on the floor under the galley counter and that was just the shortest way to get the fresh air in.

Just as a note it might be wise (if you are pulling fresh air in from under the tear) that your fresh air intake is not too close to where your battery is venting.

[Woody]

That's good idea. It would concern though of dust getting in the teardop from people walking by. My son has tendency to drag his feet and in a campground setting he can stir up a lot of dust. I guess some form of filteration could solve the problem or just tell him to pick up his feet when he walks by. On a side note I have had raccoons and skunks pass by at night. I could really ruin your night if they got under the trailer while you were sleeping and the smell came in

[48Rob]

But how much time do you guys spend inside your tear when the sun is out??

Hi Brad,



I spend an hour or two a day inside while the sun is out.

At swap meets, shows, or even the campground, it is nice to go in, close the door, and get a little peace from the crowds of folks that "just want a quick look".

Sometimes, a movie or book.
Lots of reasons.

Even if we're not inside, leaving the ventilation system on helps to keep the trailer cool.
We try to get a spot in the shade, but the trailer still gets warm/hot during the day.
Venting off the noxious fumes from the construction materials and varnish doesn't hurt either.

For those concerned about the vent being so close to the ground that you're going to die from any stray fumes that roll by, unless you run your tow vehicles engine while inside the tear, intake placement really isn't an issue, cause the fumes are going to come in any opening they can find.

Campfire smoke, and other odors will be pulled into the trailer just as easily by a roof vent and open window.
If the ground is so dusty that using an under trailer intake is going to fill the trailer, its going to come in the windows too.

Skunk odor will find its way in any crack or opening no matter at what level if the skunk is a hundred yards or less upwind when it lets loose.

I was concerned about having campfire smoke come in at night, but it just hasn't happened.

When the fans are on, you really can feel much cooler air being drawn in...I'm convinced it is worth the effort to have installed the system.
Last July, I attended a show and stayed on the grounds.
Very little shade, no plug ins, about 95 degrees.
The 12 volt fan system saved the day (I really wish I'd of had power for the air conditioning...but there just wasn't any) the little fans ran all day and kept the interior temps 10-15 degrees cooler than the outside.

As an added bonus, when its raining (not sprinkles, but really raining) the lower vent and fan pull in air and keep a breeze moving.
During most heavy rains, if the vent is open even a little, the raindrops will bounce off the roof and come back through the top vent.
A wet bed is no fun!

Rob

[War Eagle]

Rob do you have some pis of your floor vent?

[BrianB]

But how much time do you guys spend inside your tear when the sun is out?? The only time that I am in my tear is after dark

Sounds like you've never camped out where it's 85 degrees all night long.

[48Rob]

War Eagle,

I don't have any of the fan and shroud under the floor, but here is one of the vent cover inside.
(I can get some, but the trailer is buried in a storage garage at the moment...).
It is at the end of the rug just in front of the cabinet.
It is an antique night light or indicator light cover that was used in institutions of the 40's-50's to light the hallways.'
Made of brass and bronze, I just removed the glass from the back, and cut the hole in my floor.
It has a lip all around and is plenty heavy so it doesn't need any screws.
Brass screen wire is attached under the floor, and a computer fan below that.
The metal shroud covers it all and is sealed to the floor with the opening toward the rear.
The opening has a downward angle to prevent any water from sitting in it.
I've been through several major downpours at 65-75mph and have not had any come in.


Rob

<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/1948rob/hill%20climb%20campout/blanket.jpg?t=1173359754">

[Endo]

But how much time do you guys spend inside your tear when the sun is out?? The only time that I am in my tear is after dark

Sounds like you've never camped out where it's 85 degrees all night long.

I do my best to avoid camping on really hot days. I do admit I don't care for really hot weather. If I'm concerned it is going to be too hot I just take the AC along for the trip!

[Micro469]

48Rob... Every time I see a pic of your Cabincar, i drool..... That is one FANTASTIC tear. Is there a spot where I can go to see/get plans for the Original? Or do you have the only one out there???

[glassice]

What great ideal you could save a lot of money with small fix Windows

[48Rob]

Hi John,

Thank you.

Mine is not an original, just my interpretation.

There are no plans I'm aware of...and if there are any out there, my guess is the owner isn't about to let them go...

According to Grant, there are only a handful or originals left, and a smaller number of "homemade" reproductions.

A couple photographs had to serve as my "plans".


If you like the Cabin car pictures, clicking on "my album" under my signature will get you 10 pages of them...


Rob

[IndyTom]

Rob,

I gotta agree with Micro. every time I see your trailer, it just amazes me. It is one beautiful trailer. Are you planning on coming to Turkey Run this spring. I am going to drive down for the day and visit and drool over all you guys trailers.

Tom

[Q]

I put a hole in the floor of my tear about 8" by 12". It's set to one side so that I can open it when I have the single matress in the trailer. I screwed a frame to the underside so that the plug just sets in place from the inside.

The airflow is good on a hot day, especially when I put a little box fan on the hole. The hole in the floor is also useful for other things like putting your shoes under the trailer from the inside, or taking a piss during the night without going outside. Don't piss on your shoes! Another thing you can do is covertly watch what is going on outside while you have the curtains drawn with the use of a mirror.

Q

[War Eagle]

Q, I like the way you think. Maybe a bucket under that hole would serve a good purpose. Any man that drinks and camps must always have the facilities on his mind FIRST THING. Our tailgating spots are always determined by proximity to the restroom or trees.