How much window area to cool a teardrop

[EZ]

I picked up my "truck topper" windows today. I have 2 that are 18" X 15" crank out. Will that be enough ventilation with 2 of those windows and an un-powered roof vent? It doesn't usually get super hot here in Minnesota but I guess I was wondering how well a light color and insulation help keep it cool inside compared to a tent out in the sun.

Let's say a guy just happened to be in the camper with his wife on a summer afternoon; would it get too sweaty inside?

I am drawing the plan on the ply and I have to make a management decision on cutting window holes.

Ed

[mikeschn]

EZ,

You know, I thought I had a pretty cool teardrop.... (maybe I was thinking kewl... ) when I went to one of the finger lakes in NY a year or two ago.


They were having an hot humid spell... It must have been 90* during the day, and it probably cooled of to 85* at night....

Alas, our teardrop never cooled off. We had both doors open, and the roof vent going full blast. (The battery gave up in the middle of the night, but that's another story.)

So when you ask how much ventilation do you need to keep cool, all I can think is, it depends on the weather...

Typically all you need from your windows is to get some oxygen into the teardrop at night while you sleep. And we've camped many nights when it was so cold that cracking the windows an inch was plenty... But if you end up somewhere like NY where it is hot and humid, you might want to consider more than cross ventilation...

Mike...

[48Rob]

Let's say a guy just happened to be in the camper with his wife on a summer afternoon; would it get too sweaty inside?

Gee, that sounds like a loaded question

Two 18" x 15" windows, and a vent should do a nice job, but a fan may be needed for those lazy summer afternoons when the breeze takes a nap.

Rob

[Rob]

Ed--

We have two adults and a dog sleeping in our 'drop. The two open windows often don't cool it enough so have to open the doors. And we are just sleeping! Open doors means one hand on the dog all night. Alot depends on how much breeze you'll be getting and from what angle (side versus front/back), how much humidity in the air, etc. I'm giving serious consideration to putting in an after-market roof fan, but am having trouble getting the guts to cut into the roof.

Rob

[madjack]

Ed that is kinda like asking, how much wood could a woodchuck chop iffa woodchuck could chop wood see what I mean
madjack

[WarPony]

If you are camping with no shore power the inside is going to get stuffy. Last summer (August) we went to Arkansas for vacation and I have no roof fan but what I did have was a cheapo, MallWart fan-on-a-stand that was blowing into one of the windows at night. I worked great to keep the breeze moving. My GF has to have some "noise" to go to sleep anyway !! I'm planning on installing 12V wiring to my TTT so she can have her "noise" when we are out and have no power.

[EZ]

It sounds like a powered roof vent is a good idea. I really can't spring for a Fantastic Vent though. Having a fan on the interior is good too. I guess maybe a couple of computer fans in exhaust mode like I have seen some people have used might help some. Anyone ever mounted one in a roof vent? No Fantastic Vent but maybe as good as a JC Whitney vent, only quieter.

Ed

[mikeschn]

EZ,

A fantistic vent is a must... if you can't do it now, frame in for it, but don't cut the roof opening...

Save a dollar a day towards your fantastic vent... it's worth it... In 6 months or so, you'll be able to buy it... It really is one of the better investments you can make in your teardrop...

Mike...

[madjack]

ED, if you get an el-cheapo 14x14 vent(framed at 14.25x14.25) and run a wire pair to the opening, you can add the Fantastic Vent later if you wanna...the PC fan mounted in the vent opening issa pretty good idea also...maybe a pair of them
madjack

[WarPony]

I have taken a shine to the Turbo/Maxx vent because it mounts over the top of a roof vent and I like the fact you can have it open if/when it rains. I do have a TTT so the "traditionals" might not take a liking to the length or height but I don't think it's that obtrusive.

The T/M is alot more expensive, that's the downside. BTW, I don't have one of these so I can't vouch for them, I just like the idea.

http://www.maxxair.com/products/Turbo-Maxx.aspx

[Ira]

Ed, I don't have a fan in mine either, but my vent is just 15 bucks. (Plus shipping.)

RV Surplus Salvage, the link of which is in "Links" above:

https://www.rvsurplussalvage.com/catalo ... ct_id=2168

So like Jack said, at least stick this in there for now with the wiring, and you can always swap out for one with a fan down the road.

By the way, anyone, can't figure out why I can't download that image off that site and upload it to my album. It downloads as an HTML file.

[Joanne]

I picked up my "truck topper" windows today. I have 2 that are 18" X 15" crank out. Will that be enough ventilation with 2 of those windows and an un-powered roof vent? It doesn't usually get super hot here in Minnesota but I guess I was wondering how well a light color and insulation help keep it cool inside compared to a tent out in the sun.

Let's say a guy just happened to be in the camper with his wife on a summer afternoon; would it get too sweaty inside?

I am drawing the plan on the ply and I have to make a management decision on cutting window holes.

Ed

Hi Ed,

I'm guessing that everyone is correct about how good the the fantastic vent is.

As one who goes my own way, I've installed two computer fans to vent the cabin. A quick calculation shows that they will exchange all the air in the tear every 3 1/2 minutes. While it won't create a breeze, it will exchange the air. The good thing is that they have a low draw and are quiet. There are pictures on the electrical page of my website.

If my fans aren't up to the job, I'll swap out the roof vent for a fantastic one. I've already got the electric there so it won't be a big deal. I can still run the small ones at night to keep the air fresh.

Joanne

[critter]

hey all,
do any factory campers come with the fantastic fan,i have a camper junk yard up the road and thought about trying to scroung one up.i know they have a lot of airstreams and such?just thought i would try to save a nickel for old moneybags.

[madjack]

critter, alotta them come with the fantastic fan...at a recent RV show I attended most all the upper end units had them and many of the lower end ones as well...
madjack

[EZ]

How about the cheapie roof vent from RV Surplus with fan, $33.

https://www.rvsurplussalvage.com/catalog/display.php?product_id=2169

As long as I am running power up there anyway, might be better than no fan for an extra $16. Problem is again that I can't come to grip with the shipping cost. $15 shipping for $33 worth of goods. Hmmmmmmmm.

Ed