Tuff-R foam boards for van top?

[barkingmad]

As I was flailing with putting up a 10x20 tarp (talk about lessons learned, just in my driveway with a mere 10 knot breeze!) , I started thinking about the feasibility of putting a couple of Tuff-R boards on top of my van to further shield it from the sun.

I know someone else *must* have tried this, or it's been soundly dissed on the Forum, but my search didn't turn up anything.

The panel sizes would be about 4x8 and the other about 4x4.

It would (obviously) need a good rope halo like a hexayurt to secure it, or some ratchet tie downs/guy lines.

One slight thread drift -- when folks talk about using material to block their car windows from the sun and to avoid heat sink, is that stuff secured in the inside of the vehicle or the outside?

Thanks for any ideas --

[Ratty]

On the outside of the windows. I can tell you it makes a BIG difference. My van is parked in full sun. A roll of that insulating silver bubble wrap was about $20. If the winds not howling I can open a couple doors and nap even during the day. Without the stuff it's an oven with the sun coming through.

[trilobyte]

I imagine that trying to do a hole/rope would lead to tearing and failure in high winds. If you look at hexayurt designs, they largely work because of the use of a specialized tape along all the edges. Their shape and design sorts out the issue of wind resistance.

I'd also guess that in order to provide better shading/heat reduction, you'd want to have a small gap between the shade above the van and the roof of the vehicle. Otherwise when the sun hits and heats up whatever it is you're using, it'll just radiate downward and heat the van up. If you've got or can sort out some kind of roof rack for your van, that would likely help out a lot. +1 to the reflective bubble wrap solution Ratty mentioned, actually anything reflective that you can sort out for those front windows.

It should also be mentioned (in case you hadn't read it), your van will never be quite the same if you're planning on camping in it at Burning Man. Even if you're really careful, opening it regularly throughout the week will lead to playa dust getting in there, even with a good detailing it will never be mistaken for new again. That may not be a problem for you, the van my gf and I use already had plenty of wear and character before we took it to the playa, and for us the occasional whiffs of dust in the vents (months and months and months later) aren't really a problem.

[Ratty]

Trilo is so right. I took my brand new van knowing it will NEVER be new again. Playa dust is still seeping from every crevasse. Long before you get to the event put your AC on recirculate. I don't have any playa blowing out of my ducts like I did in the last van. I kind of miss that.

[trilobyte]

We never even have the air on anywhere near BRC, the dust just finds its way in. That may or may not be a bad thing for you, but know in advance that it's a thing.

[barkingmad]

On the outside of the windows. I can tell you it makes a BIG difference. My van is parked in full sun. A roll of that insulating silver bubble wrap was about $20. If the winds not howling I can open a couple doors and nap even during the day. Without the stuff it's an oven with the sun coming through.

*****************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Ratty, did you have any other sort of shade structure over your van? I've been reading up on the difference between insulation and radiant barriers, LOL. This silver bubble wrap you used -- was it like this Reflectix stuff?

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Reflectix-16 ... /100012574

If I can avoid putting up a 10-foot shade structure, I'll be a happy camper.

Thanks for the info --

[barkingmad]

Trilo,

Using the standard old-head Burner advice of 'Load your structure on your car roof, then hit the freeway at 70 mph' to determine if it'll hold up --- I get a very bad mental picture of my foam-on-van-roof plan.

I think I'll just drop that whole idea.

It should also be mentioned (in case you hadn't read it), your van will never be quite the same if you're planning on camping in it at Burning Man. Even if you're really careful, opening it regularly throughout the week will lead to playa dust getting in there, even with a good detailing it will never be mistaken for new again. That may not be a problem for you, the van my gf and I use already had plenty of wear and character before we took it to the playa, and for us the occasional whiffs of dust in the vents (months and months and months later) aren't really a problem.

I've read that, and I think I'm willing to risk it. This van is 13 years old and destined to be a dedicated Burner vehicle from now on. have to laugh at the thought of playa dust coming from the vents months afterward.

Thanks again for the engineering info!

[DoctorIknow]

This van is 13 years old and destined to be a dedicated Burner vehicle from now on.

Hard to beat a beater van for burning man!

If you are lucky enough to have rain gutters, you might consider this $69 rack. VERY reliable and strong.
You could put plywood or 1x6's on a 2x4 "frame" and would need no insulation as the air space would be sufficient.
Also, of course, strap on whatever and have more interior space.

And, of course, don't test your rack and load at 70mph. Why bother, as you will be in line at the gate for hours....remember, just past the gate, you will be entering a dimension where time is altered, and all the efforts of "getting there" are of no consequence at all. You are THERE.

Another benefit of doing 60mph or less is seeing the other Burners with their creative rigs passing you.

quick and e-z car rack.JPG

Buy it here:
http://www.nrs.com/product/3200/quick-n ... -racks-set

I've used the rack for BM since 1998 (mounted on the 1940 Chevy that year,) and it rocks.
Funny thing: my neighbor that year was the owner of the Quick and Easy company!
The damn uncanny synchronicity that happens at BM vs. the default world....

chevy at bm.JPG

[trilobyte]

I'm not suggesting to load a structure onto the roof and drive with it, but saying that a shade structure is what's needed. In our case I'd already welded an incredibly heavy duty steel structure to the frame of the van, and for us shade's not much of an issue because I've got a massive chunk of art on one side and a very shaded structure built up on the roof - we're already getting shade, and have a foot or so clearance between the structure above and the roof of the van (airflow is key). That's admittedly way over the top (at least for your first crack). If you can find a cheap roof rack for the van (sometimes Craig's List or freecycle have awesome finds), you can bring that and then use the light-duty roof rack to support some kind of shade material (silver tarps, etc). Something like what DoctorIknow just posted - easy and cheap DIY.

[barkingmad]

@DoctorIknow

Those Quick & Easys are slick! Alas, The van doesn't have any rain gutters, but that system would be great for increasing the storage available. Also, I hope you have that Chevy photo framed and hanging up somewhere. Fantastic shot.

I'm looking forward to having that playa-induced time-space anomaly that I keep hearing about.

[Ratty]

No. I don't have any shade over my van. And yes that's the stuff I use. I can recommend that you buy that stuff and cover your windows. All of them. From the outside. I can't however guarantee that you'll be able to sleep in your van during the day. It lets me sleep in longer in the morning. Last year was mild and I had no problem napping. I sleep at night. There is so much to consider that you won't think of until you are there. All of my chair covers and bed covers are cotton. (Try laying down on polyester in the heat). There is a fleece curtain to cover one door in a mild windstorm and still let air in. My Toyota is practically airtight. There is emergency food and water in the van. On your 3rd or 4th day you can 'hole-up' in there for 12 or 14 hours and eat, sleep, pee, sleep....A battery op fan and spray bottle are enough for some people. Others need swamp coolers.

[barkingmad]

Hey, Trilo --

I'm not suggesting to load a structure onto the roof and drive with it, but saying that a shade structure is what's needed.

Sometimes things get lost in translation on the Interweb....you know that I know that you didn't mean that 70-mph thing literally, right? LOL...60 mph, maybe, but definitely not 70 mph.

I think I'm starting to suffer from overplanning syndrome. I'm going to throttle back and probably just do as Ratty suggested for the van, using Reflectix or some other type of radiant barrier. I'm in a camp that should have good shade for lounging around in, so f*ck it. LOL. Heck, I usually can't sleep past 8 AM anyway, and my volunteer shifts start about then.

I really appreciate your suggestions, and everyone else who's taken the time to give me advice! Thanks!

[DoctorIknow]

I'm not suggesting to load a structure onto the roof and drive with it,,,,

Absolutely.

It is not safe to change the center of gravity to the point where a sudden sharp turn could have the car/van/bus obey gravity and ruin your trip and maybe someone elses.

However, with great attention to road and traffic conditions, keeping a minimum speed can lessen risk.

Yes, the pic of the '40 Chevy (and below van pic) shows a classic example of having too much load on the top.

Don't do it. Keep everything heavy in the vehicle, and as far forward as possible as it is inevitable that weight will be unevenly distributed towards the rear
of the vehicle.

If you can tie water onto the front bumper as in the Chevy pic, that can help too, and is sure to get laughs from others.

Or you can go to burn-insane levels and put LOTS of water on the front (note the Quick-N-Easy racks still in use):

burning man van.JPG

[fernley1]

We are going to try using reflextic in the windows of our camper this year.
I heard it really makes a difference.