kimberst
PA
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Anyone have tips as to how to keep a tent cooler when camping in an area with no shade? I'm planning a trip to Ocracoke Island this summer and there are no trees on the campground. I've come up with using a tarp to shade the tent, and maybe periodically spraying the tent down with water to cool it via evaporation. Any other ideas (other than the air conditioner/duct tape solution)? Thanks!
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skipnchar
Topeka Kansas USA
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Surely you're not planning on being IN the tent during the day are you? Just open it up and maybe erect an "easy up" shelter over the tent to GIVE it shade and still allow air around it.
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trails2004
Wyoming
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Sounds like you have a plan, try and position the windows or doorway downwind -this will help pull the heat from the tent.
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tallyo
Fort Myers,Florida
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Put a second canopy over the top of the tent. Keep it suspended a few inches over the tent. It will allow air to pass trough keeping the heat off the tent.
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m16fullauto
Louisburg NC USA
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I've saw some folks at Emerald Isle during the hot months using a very small a/c unit connected to their tent via a small piece of duct between the a/c unit and a side tent flap
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SAR Tracker
Sandy Eggo, Calif
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Coming from a "desert survival" viewpoint, rigging shade over the tent is the best idea, short of an air conditioner. If you can get a reflective tarp, put the reflective side up (towards the sun).
Another idea is to get a mister ("misty mate" or garden sprayer (new)) and rig the spray head onto an electric fan, on the exhaust side of the fan. The breeze from the fan will help with evaporation of the mist.
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goodcruisin
Greenwood, IN
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When I attended Boy Scout summer camp with my son I used a fan like this to help circulate the air. I'd turn it on about 30 minutes prior to sleep time to help circulate the air and it would run all night. Two batteries last three days.
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tallyo
Fort Myers,Florida
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goodcruisin wrote:When I attended Boy Scout summer camp with my son I used a fan like this to help circulate the air. I'd turn it on about 30 minutes prior to sleep time to help circulate the air and it would run all night. Two batteries last three days.
No self respecting Scoutmaster would allow fans? Next thing you are going to say is you used lighter fluid to start fires?
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weathershak
Delaware
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The tarp over the tent is your best bet (with an air gap) and a cooler with plenty of ice for your beverages. I dont think the CG at Okracoke has power anyway. I used to use a tent for years camping at Delaware Seashore State Park which had no shade at all. And yes I would be in the tent during the day at times and as long as there was a breeze, it felt pretty good.
* This post was
edited 02/28/08 11:18am by weathershak *
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CKAYAKER
Houston TX USA
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Ditto on the tarp over the tent. One thought is to use an old parachute tethered to the ground and let the sea breeze fill it. Position your tent in the shade. It also creates open shade for you and your party to sit under. Or use a pop up shade and place tent under (if tent fits). Enjoy.
CKAYAKER
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