Tarp to shelter camper

Just spent three weeks in Qld with our camper. Every time we set up a tarp was thrown over the roof with about 1 to 2 feet over hang. Mainly to keep moisture off the walls and roof, not that it leaks but it allows us to have the windows open for ventilation.

Had no probs with rubbing and I would imagine it would have to be there for a long period to cause any wear. I had a pole on each corner and ropes pulling it down so it did not move much.

It also helps with heat. Our tarp is silver reflective and it was cooler in the camper during the day with it on. I am thinking of getting a thermal blanket to throw over the roof. I was checking out new campers this week in Adelaide in 43deg heat. We stepped into a camper with a thermal cover over the roof and it was lots cooler than the camper next door with out the cover.

We never had any problems with mildew or mold from our trip and we packed up a few time while it was raining but always under the tarp.

Cheers Matt

Hi Lores,
When it comes to a tarp over the top, Matt has explained it the same way we do it. Never had any problems. And if it's raining, we can pack up under it. Can be a bit of a pain if setting up in gusty winds, but we manage. Ours is a Silver & Green 8M X 6m, which gives us about 1.8M over in length which we use as a verandah out the front. Which is great on wet days, so your not stuck inside with three bored kids ;). In the picture below, It could possibly be another 600mm wider because it only just covers the width.
.Link to picture. Another Picture, Awning out the front, We also now use spreader bars in the four corners to help strengthen it(not shown in pictures). Hope these help

Matt, You wouldn't have a name for the mob that make the thermal cover? I'm just interested to have a look at it. See how much it weights, how big is it, and how much room it would take up when packed up for traveling.

Hi Lores,

We also do this and have found it quite useful. It also stops staining / damage from birds, bats and tree litter etc..... If you can get it high enough to create an air gap, this makes an amazing difference to the heat underneath. We put ours up on long enough poles to allow this and keep it taut with rubber o-rings from sewer line connections in the rope. These allow very flexible movement of the whole tarp and are far more forgiving than springs etc... We have been doing this successfully for over twenty years with tents and camper trailer for the past 8 years with no problems. Certainly helps when having to pack up in rain or full sun as well as we always pull this down last.

Cheers, db.

If its a cover you are looking for to store the camper for long periods I have a new one still in its delivery pack that I purchased just before I traded the camper in on a different type of van, going cheap if anyone is interested.

A cheap and simple method of raising the tarp off the camper roof is by shoving a few partially inflated wine cask bladders between them, or if you don't have access to these, go to a cheap toy shop and get some inflatable plastic balls to do the same.
Cheers

I always use a tarp on any trip of more than one night, regardless of what needs covering. Dont have one of those huge floorspace campers though.

The benefits of shade or rain / dew protection, make the max 20min setup / pulldown time more than worthwhile.

Does mean you need to carry more stuff though .... liked the idea of the goon sacks for a quick fix on lightweight tarps.

Regularly use a 20x20 canvas (approx) with home made A frames for the endpoles ... only need one tiedown per end and the shower bucket goes on as well. Height adjustment is by simply leaning the A frame to a desired angle. Side pole qty depends on weather conditions ... best of all ... a one person job.

As stated above ... this allows you to pack up a dry camp ... and then just lash the wet tarp/poles on the roof rack or trailer.

Lores - I'm pleased that you raised this topic because I have toyed with the idea of a tarp as both a way of keeping things cooler & cleaner but haven't cracked what I consider the ideal way yet.

Essentially I'm hoping to come up with an idea that will get around the need for extra poles & ropes by attaching some type of 'add-on' to the poles I already use for my CT annex or awning. The tarp would be attached to the existing poles and sit at a nice height above for air flow, etc.

Anyway I knew I'd seen something in my research that might be of interest to you & I've just now tracked it down.

So here it is & I hope you find it interesting. It's from the excellent Australia Camper Trailer website and the bloke shares his findings with attempts to cool his camper.

Enjoy http://www.campertrailers.org/solar_blanket.htm

Always used a tarp over ours for the exact reasons mentioned above, bird s h i t can be painfull to get off and without leaving stains on the canvas, the heat difference ia amazing if you can get that air gap. Some people think its just extra work but once you have set it up once and work it all out the next time will be heaps quicker and from then on. I love the idea of the rubber rings mentioned above.

This was ours set up for about the second time, since this pic I used one of those rubber balls they use for yoga etc and stuck it under the centre. I had a big enough tarp to make a carport out of as well to stop the weather on the car. I can actually put the car write back under, just had it forward in this pic for more room under the tarp, hanging towls etc.

I have one advertised in camping gear section of this site you could probaly get 2 campers under it if you travel with a friend.

Hi Lores - you could buy this van fly from ebay but its a bit pricey.

I fit a 20' x 20' tarp over my jayco swan camper and annexe and have a gap between roof and underside of tarp. it drops the temperature inside considerably and noticably. my brother also fits tarp but with no gap between his roof and the tarp. his is always hotter in his camper and annexe than mine - probably around 5 degrees hotter in his. apart from temperature, allows setup and pack up in the dry and a more comfortable all round holiday