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07-01-2014, 02:35 AM
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#1
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Silverdale
Posts: 275
M.O.C. #7117
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Cooling on the road
We are heading out tomorrow morning for the annual summer trip across the state. Our first stop is Lake Chelan (love that place) and it is supposed to be about 98 degrees for a high. We cannot check in until 2:00 PM when it will already be pretty warm (read that as HOT). We have about a 4 1/2 hour trip to get there and I plan on having all the shades down in the 5er while on the road. We only have one air conditioner and I know it will not keep up with those temperatures. I would like to keep the trailer as cool as possible on the road and I thought about maybe leaving the Fantastic Fan on while traveling. Any thoughts? Thanks, Glenn
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07-01-2014, 03:32 AM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
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I've left the vents open when traveling. That's the main reason we bought the vent covers.
__________________
Dick, Joyce, Diego, Picatso and Gustav
2017 3720 RL, and 2013 HC 343RL
Pullrite Hitch, IS, Disk Brakes, 3rd AC, Winegard Traveler, Bathroom door mod, Dometic 320, couch for desk swap, replaced chairs, sun screens, added awnings, etc.
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07-01-2014, 03:33 AM
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#3
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by DQDick
I've left the vents open when traveling. That's the main reason we bought the vent covers. If you hit a dust storm, however, find a place to stop and close them.
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__________________
Dick, Joyce, Diego, Picatso and Gustav
2017 3720 RL, and 2013 HC 343RL
Pullrite Hitch, IS, Disk Brakes, 3rd AC, Winegard Traveler, Bathroom door mod, Dometic 320, couch for desk swap, replaced chairs, sun screens, added awnings, etc.
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07-01-2014, 04:34 AM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Land O Lakes
Posts: 932
M.O.C. #9053
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Without covers I'd be concerned about rain, etc, but even with covers I wonder what fumes would be sucked in? Never considered doing it myself, but I'm sure there are many with experience.
__________________
Walt and Carol Ashley, with fond memories of Bailey the Chesapeake! Land O Lakes, FL
2009 Big Sky 365REQ 10th Anniversary Edition
2008 Ford F350 King Ranch Super Duty
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07-01-2014, 04:48 AM
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#5
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Silverdale
Posts: 275
M.O.C. #7117
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Thanks. I am not too concerned about fumes because our Fantastic Fan takes a "suction" from the inside of the trailer and blows out. I have a cover over the fan (supposed to be very dry anyway), so I am not worried about rain either. Just looking for way of keeping it a little cooler while on the road.
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07-01-2014, 05:15 AM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: McKinney
Posts: 7,159
M.O.C. #6433
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If you have power available and can run the A/C, cool down the inside as much as possible overnight and then keep the shades down the next day. If you can do that, then do not run the fan or open the vents. That will only draw in the hot outside air and displace whatever coolness you may have gained.
If power is not available, then the fan and/or vents are a good idea as long as you have covers.
__________________
Bill & Patricia
Riley, our Golden
2007 3075RL (recently sold, currently without)
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07-01-2014, 06:26 AM
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#7
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Silverdale
Posts: 275
M.O.C. #7117
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Thanks Bill, I do have power out there and will try that.
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07-01-2014, 03:49 PM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Englewood
Posts: 3,095
M.O.C. #164
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In my opinion if it 98 out the trailer is going to be 98 or more inside.As for cooling it over night traveling at those temps it going to be over 90 inside in an hour.My advice would be when you arrive at the CG plug in open up turn on the Fantastic Fan then unhitch close up fire up the AC and head to an Air Conditioned Resturant I would wait till Sun Set to return.I speak from experience trying to cool a 92 degree trailer in the Sun with one AC unit
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07-01-2014, 04:16 PM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Galena
Posts: 989
M.O.C. #7380
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When we had 1 air and traveled we closed off the bedroom and put the air on dump as soon as we got there. Once the living areas get cooled off then open up the bedroom and closed the dump. Kept all blinds closed and put sun shades on the skylight in bathroom and front door to keep heat out. It did work pretty well. We did put in a second air eventually. In the larger units it's almost a must if you summer camp.
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07-01-2014, 04:29 PM
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#10
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: McKinney
Posts: 7,159
M.O.C. #6433
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Cooling as much as possible for as long as possible will "cold soak" everything in the trailer; appliances, furniture, walls, etc. They will retain some of that and will require less cooling upon arrival. The air will warm up, sure, but the air can be cooled quicker if you do not have to cool everything else at the same time.
__________________
Bill & Patricia
Riley, our Golden
2007 3075RL (recently sold, currently without)
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07-01-2014, 04:43 PM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Winfield
Posts: 7,327
M.O.C. #6846
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Or.....take the drastic approach as we did on our first rig. Installed a front receptacle and carried a 3000 watt generator in the truck bed which was plugged in during travels. Ran the AC as we pulled the rig. Of course, our primary reason was for the crated furry creatures which travel with us in the rig. The same reason we opted for the built-in genny on the last two rigs. There are options available if you are desperate enough.
Bingo
__________________
Bingo and Cathy - Our adventures begin in the hills of WV. We are blessed by our 2014 3850FL Big Sky (previous 2011 3750FL and 2007 3400RL) that we pull with a 2007 Chevy Silverado Classic DRW CC dually.
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07-02-2014, 01:54 AM
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#12
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Silverdale
Posts: 275
M.O.C. #7117
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Thanks all, learned a few things with this post. I need to break down and get that other A/C. My biggest concern is that I don't have the overhead clearance where I store my 5er here at my house in the winter. The back one barely clears but even a low profile looks like it might cause issues up front. -Glenn
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07-02-2014, 05:27 AM
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#13
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Copperas Cove
Posts: 1,426
M.O.C. #12096
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That's the main reason we got the second AC installed. Even in Texas we rarely use it except for quick cool down when we pull in. Its worth every penny just for that use only. Once it's cooled down we shut off the bedroom AC and the main AC does the job. But we also close off the bedroom and put it on dump even during hot days since we don't use the bedroom during the day. We also travel with our vents open and when parked out back they are left open and we never get water inside even during some of our gulley washers....
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07-02-2014, 10:48 AM
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#14
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Land O Lakes
Posts: 932
M.O.C. #9053
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by steelpony5555
That's the main reason we got the second AC installed. Even in Texas we rarely use it except for quick cool down when we pull in. Its worth every penny just for that use only. Once it's cooled down we shut off the bedroom AC and the main AC does the job. But we also close off the bedroom and put it on dump even during hot days since we don't use the bedroom during the day. We also travel with our vents open and when parked out back they are left open and we never get water inside even during some of our gulley washers....
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We do the same with our bed room unit. Once the desired temp is reached we shut it off MOST of the time. Once or twice we needed both in mid afternoon, but not for long.
__________________
Walt and Carol Ashley, with fond memories of Bailey the Chesapeake! Land O Lakes, FL
2009 Big Sky 365REQ 10th Anniversary Edition
2008 Ford F350 King Ranch Super Duty
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07-02-2014, 10:50 AM
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#15
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Land O Lakes
Posts: 932
M.O.C. #9053
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by Glenn the fifth
Thanks. I am not too concerned about fumes because our Fantastic Fan takes a "suction" from the inside of the trailer and blows out. I have a cover over the fan (supposed to be very dry anyway), so I am not worried about rain either. Just looking for way of keeping it a little cooler while on the road.
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OK, I wasn't thinking about having the Fantastic Fan running, just open, so you make a good point.
__________________
Walt and Carol Ashley, with fond memories of Bailey the Chesapeake! Land O Lakes, FL
2009 Big Sky 365REQ 10th Anniversary Edition
2008 Ford F350 King Ranch Super Duty
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07-02-2014, 04:44 PM
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#16
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Depends on temps
Posts: 1,648
M.O.C. #13157
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Get it cool, and do not open any vents. They will only bring in hot air. The idea of going somewhere till dark is a great idea. A single A/C will not cool these rigs in a 98 degree day. Been there/done that.
__________________
2012 Ram Laramie 3500 DRW 4x4 3.73 Tow Max Pkg B&W Companion 60 gal RDS aux fuel tank. 2014 Montana 3150RL, 2 A/C's, Leather, 6 Point Jacks, Splendede WD2100XC, Mor/ryde X-Factor, Duravis 250 tires with TST 507RV monitors. 2 x Honda EU2000's
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07-03-2014, 02:45 AM
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#17
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Silverdale
Posts: 275
M.O.C. #7117
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Cooled the trailer off real we'll overnight before leaving home and when we got here after traveling 5 hours in 90ish heat, it was still pretty cool. The one AC brought it down to 74 pretty quick. These things are really insulated pretty well. Thanks for all the tips folks, second AC will be installed this fall and then I won't have to worry about it. -Glenn
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07-04-2014, 01:52 AM
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#18
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Okeechobee
Posts: 2,150
M.O.C. #11206
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Hi
To answer the OP’s original question!
The Fantastic fan is designed to be operated while moving; it has a rain sensor that will close it if it rains.
I check ours with a little water whenever I am on the roof.
Phil P
__________________
2009 Montana 3665RE
2009 Duramax 3500 DRW quad cab
personal web page https:// www.sallyscoffees.com
If you get a page not available then remove the "s" after HTTP
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07-04-2014, 12:30 PM
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#19
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Billings
Posts: 698
M.O.C. #12641
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I know the OP had their questioned answered but for those of you who do not have power ahead of time here is what we do. We often travel to campsites with no power and we do not run our generators to get the AC cooling off. We open the windows at night to let the rig cool down and we turn the Fantastic Fan on to 70degrees and let it auto run. The next morning we close all of the windows, with the exception the one right by the door. We leave it open a crack because the fantastic fan instructions say it is supposed to have one window slightly ajar, and then we run down the road. We go from about 68 degrees to about 75 on a 90 degree day on our 4 hour drive. We have a wireless thermometer inside and we keep track because we travel with our dogs crated in the trailer on hot days. The fantastic fan does a pretty good job of keeping it around 770-75 degrees.
We do have both air conditioners and when we have power we do a pre-cool as some other posters have suggested but that isn't always an option. Glad you figured it out and had a nice 'cool' home to step into on a hot day!
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