Radiant barrier on windows keeps T@B temps down in summer.

CruiserCamperChris

We are on a 49 day tour in the summer and know how hard the fridge has keeping the temps where we want because the TAB temps climb when driving hundreds of miles in the heat. It was running our battery down more than we wanted, even with the small rooftop solar. So, we bought a roll of some easy to work with radiant barrier at Home Depot. We cut it to size, and use self adhesive Velcro to keep it in place, makes a huge difference. (We know that you are not supposed to close the window shades during travel because it is bad on the string suspension that controls them.

manyman297

Curious if this helps with the fridge as I know ours struggled in temps above 90.

It has been mentioned that the window manufacturer recommends not using any radiant foil shades as the reflected heat can potentially warp the acrylic windows. Don’t quote me on this but I thought that was the case.  

CruiserCamperChris

yes it does help a lot with the the fridge. First time we could travel in heat while the fridge stayed at temperature!  Thank you for the info about the radiant barrier, can you share where you heard that it was bad for the windows. 

If you don’t use the shades or a barrier, your food spoils, but if you use a barrier the windows warp.  Huh.  Not sure where to go next.  

manyman297

The problem is the fridge and lack of adequate ventilation. Using an infrared camera pointed at the ventilation grill behind the fridge (2021 400 with the smaller fridge under the stove) temps were up to 112 degrees at times. I brainstormed ways to increase cool air from the outside but ultimately didn’t have the ambition to pursue it. 

Check this thread for the windows: 
https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/10072/warning-label-on-windows-not-to-have-window-shade-covering-windows-while-the-sun-is-shining-do-you/p1

mona

Simple solution to window warping, is to use the barrier on the outside of the windows, instead of on the inside. 

Jeannie 

fwunder

mona said:

Simple solution to window warping, is to use the barrier on the outside of the windows, instead of on the inside. 

Jeannie 

fwunder

CruiserCamperChris

@fwunder and they stay on cruising at 65mph? And with a 30mph head wind or side wind? Because we only need them when we are rolling down the highway. At camp we can open up the windows, on the highway we can’t.

fwunder

CruiserCamperChris said:

@fwunder and they stay on cruising at 65mph? And with a 30mph head wind or side wind? Because we only need them when we are rolling down the highway. At camp we can open up the windows, on the highway we can’t.

Whoops. Sorry CCC. No, I needed a solution for stationary sun fry. It does help keep my Tab a lot cooler in full sun. Your solution is the only thing that would work rolling down the road except for plugging into the back of our F150 Powerboost and running the AC.

Citruscountytab400

I'm a builder and also own a tab 400.  I ordered custom foil covers with a hem around the edges from amazon (around $20 each.)  I use  Velcro on the front and back windows and place the foil on the outside.  Any double pane window will be damaged by putting tinting or foil on the inside.  It ruins the seal between the window on glass, and deforms the plastic on the tabs windows.  I remove them when I travel.

CruiserCamperChris

Thanks everyone for your answers. What if we put white vinyl inside the windows, attached with Velcro? That would keep it cool when driving in the summer and wouldn’t hurt the windows would it? I mean, the built in shades are white.

RayJim

Elastic bungee style straps, work with windows open or closed, also hold up well on windy days with two horizontal straps.

rfuss928

For use while on the road, maybe an interior barrier could be made from a reflective mesh material.  It would reflect the radiant energy while still allowing air circulation over the window surface.
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=reflective+mesh+tarp&crid=1C8V5M3AEVE7B&sprefix=reflective+mesh,aps,252&ref=nb_sb_ss_pltr-xclick_4_15

CruiserCamperChris

@RayJim thanks but we don’t need radiant barrier when we are parked. We can pull up are built in shades. We only need additional sun barrier when we are rolling down the highway. Anything on the outside wouldn’t stay in place in those conditions.

Marceline

FWIW I've had reflectix on the inside of my windows for travel & storage at least 3 years now. I haven't seen any sign of damage to the windows.

Some caveats: I don't attach the reflectix to the windows. The only thing that holds them in place are the window handles. So there's a fair gap between the reflectix and the window surface and the reflectix covers kind of float around. I would guess that allows air to move around.  Also, I put a cover over my vent several years ago, so I can leave the vent cracked open a little when my T@B is in storage and also when on the road. It really helps prevent heat from building up inside. I don't have a stargazer window. 

Maxcamp

Reflectix between window and our homemade magnet-fastened insect screens has worked well for us.  No plastic damage in two seasons.  
https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/comment/202303#Comment_202303

jimcenname

I've been living and traveling in my 400 for almost five years. I always put my shades up when driving, I leave a quarter inch gap between shades as a bit of an air vent. I've never had trouble with my shade strings or windows. I have film on the outside of all of my windows to reduce the heat entering the cabin. Light blocking film on the rear and heavy tint on the other windows. My 3-way Norcold works well when traveling. I spend most of my time in the southwest. 

AZGal

The person I bought my TAB 400 Boondock from had put in a rod across just above the stargazer window. Then they made a curtain to cover the stargazer window on the inside, attaching it on each of the latching mechanisms. I use this when driving in hot country. Works pretty well. 

xdr

@jimcenname- could I get the brand name of the film you put in the outside of the windows. I really like the white shade on the stargazer. 

We in the SW and the summer sun is brutal. 

mary 

Bill&Suze

xdr said:

@jimcenname- could I get the brand name of the film you put in the outside of the windows. I really like the white shade on the stargazer. 

We in the SW and the summer sun is brutal. 

mary 

@jimcenname, I want to make the same request. Can you please provide information on the film and its installation?

jimcenname

This lasts a couple of years. Total Blackout Window Film on Amazon. I bought a window film installation kit at Home Depot (spray soap, squeegee and lint free cloth) and watched YouTube videos. 
https://a.co/d/52OXotU
I used this tint film on the other windows. It lasts less than a year. Previously I used Gila brand from purchased at Home Depot, which had a short life, 6 months. https://a.co/d/h1MUkLo

CruiserCamperChris

We took the advice learned here and got rid of our silver sun blockers and replaced with white vinyl sheets velcroed to the window frame with plenty of air flow. It keeps the heat way down while on route, so the fridge can stay cool and without draining the battery too much.

xdr

I like the vinyl and Velcro. Simple solution and would be great for us when it is sitting in the driveway. 

Seems like the gap at top and bottom should keep the windows from any type of heat damage. 

Nice! 

cottonmouth

Has anyone tried ceramic tinting? I've not tried it myself, but I have friends who swear by it. It's not cheap, and has to be professionally installed. And by tinting, you can go from pretty much total blackout to clear, but all are effective at blocking UV/IR and heat.

cottonmouth

Nevermind. I just did a little interwebbing and it doesn't appear you can apply tint films to acrylic. Shows you how much I know. But the ceramic tinting is said to be wonderful for car windows to keep heat down.

jimcenname

I've been using static cling film on the outside of my tab 400 windows for about 4 years. It's very effective. I have to replace it at least once per year.

lkc001

CruiserCamperChris said:

We took the advice learned here and got rid of our silver sun blockers and replaced with white vinyl sheets velcroed to the window frame with plenty of air flow. It keeps the heat way down while on route, so the fridge can stay cool and without draining the battery too much.

Where did you get the vinyl sheeting?