Rain Camping!

[Shurdist]

My wife and I love the rain, and a good thing it is, as we live and camp in the Norhtwest! So my questions are as followes:
1. What custom add ons have folks used to better kit out there trailers, i.e. awnings for the windows that open etc.

2. What accessories would be prudent ( beyond the wellington boots)

3. Are the installed awnings well suited for downpours?

Thanks in advance

 

[Karen H.]

Golly, I camp all winter long and I haven't done anything to my trailer to enhance my rain experience in the PNW. I love the sound of it on the roof and it doesn't keep me from going on beach or forest hikes as I have excellent rain gear. I have never put my awning out during these times as wind is a factor where I camp so I can't address that one.

 

[Shurdist]

Thanks again Karen, I would like to be able to have my windows open during less windy rain, but obviously would prefer to enjoy the experience from a dry perspective .

 

[float5]

Shurdist, so you would likely want the opening version of the kitchen window. That way, when not too windy and you have the awning out, you can open that window.

You seem to be asking about individual window awnings that are often installed on large trailers. Those are not seen on small trailers as a rule. You would be making holes in the fiberglass, not that it could not be done.

 

[Karen H.]

I guess I didn't understand the question very well. I have two opening windows at the front corners (awning types) so don't worry about having rain coming into the trailer. Techfan added some awnings for sun purposes but I don't see why they wouldn't work in the rain, too, except if there are high winds:

http://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f8/latest-mods-2274.html

 

[gbaglo]

The awning doesn't have to be all the way in or all the way out.
If I anticipate rain and winds overnight, I'll bring the awning in about half way, fold and lean camp chairs against the trailer, under cover, and put any other things I want to protect under the awning.
This is what it looks like partially open. You pull down on the awning arms to apply tension, before tightening the knob on the top support.

 

[padlin]

We use the awning unless or until the wind picks up. You can also tie it down and leave it out in the wind, at least within reason. If you are new to this, it's best to tip it one way way or the other for better water run off, just drop one end a couple notches.

Just picked up a Waterhog for the door mat, the small fits the 5.0 TA perfectly.

An awning mat keeps you out of the wet dirt, at least for a while. You do often have to put it away wet, having a pickup truck this doesn't bother us.

I also carry a small 25 pint dehumidifier which works great if you have hookups and the room to bring it along, gets kind of noisy though.

Good lightweight hiking rain gear.

TV or laptop to play Redbox movies.

I haven't needed to buy one yet, but there are these. I've heard they aren't the nicest looking things if such bothers you. You'd have to look to see if they would work on your windows, I only have 2 of the passenger side windows that are sliders. If they open on the front side I could use them.

 

[C&G in FL]

I haven't needed to buy one yet, but there are these. I've heard they aren't the nicest looking things if such bothers you. You'd have to look to see if they would work on your windows, I only have 2 of the passenger side windows that are sliders. If they open on the front side I could use them.

I do not believe sliding windows have to open from the front to use these. They are designed to allow you to open that portion of the window that is behind the assembly, whatever it is called (Rain Guard, maybe?). Then can be adjusted to fit any height trailer window, but are screwed into the window frame. I have seen them installed on a trailer and also at Camping World. The person who had them said he loved them (he frequently posts on FGRV). I personally don't find them to be "ugly." The intent is to allow a small opening when it is raining to allow the use of the exhaust fan to draw air into the trailer while prevent wind blown rain from coming in. I do not know if they are intended to allow sliding windows to be open during travel in the rain if the windows did open from the front, but I probably wouldn't do it due to swirling conditions when various shaped objects such as TVs and trailers are moving at any speed faster than one can walk.

 

[padlin]

I was thinking more of the trailers areodynamics, better if the opening part of the window is towards the front of the trailer. But then I could be all wet. Looking at them again they really don't stick out much.

 

[cpaharley2008]

I installed one of those on my Eggcamper and then got water coming inside from around the screws, took it off and sealed the holes.

 

[Donna D.]

I'm in the corner of the MaxAir Vent things are gross. When I'm inside, I want to see outside. So while you can open your window (if the wind isn't blowing), the vent thing distorts the view. If you must have a window open and have a bathroom window, open the bathroom door, open that window. At least if it gets wet inside, it's contained in an area designed to get wet.

 

[cpaharley2008]

and do not forget the stove vent which can be lodged open to allow fresh air and not rain to enter, I use a clip to keep it open and then turn on the ceiling fan for a breeze.

 

[techfan]

Shurdist, so you would likely want the opening version of the kitchen window. That way, when not too windy and you have the awning out, you can open that window.

You seem to be asking about individual window awnings that are often installed on large trailers. Those are not seen on small trailers as a rule. You would be making holes in the fiberglass, not that it could not be done.

Not necessarily... I created three individual awnings with NO holes. You can search for the thread "latest mods" or look on our website. They hold up well in the rain and keep it from coming in the slider.

 

[Karen H.]

Not necessarily... I created three individual awnings with NO holes. You can search for the thread "latest mods" or look on our website. They hold up well in the rain and keep it from coming in the slider.

See Post #5 of this thread.

 

[Dave&Kathie]

We use the awning, our Pahaque shelter (wouldn't be without it!) and love our Campfire in a can. Here's a pic that Jon V took at a rainy NOG, the sun had just come out:

 

[J Mac]

http://www.escapeforum.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=2858&d=1372640121

gabeck posted this picture in 6/30/2013. I think it would be rather effective in keeping cross rain/light wind from being an annoyance. I like the idea and these curtains are a work of art and work to some degree as a privacy measure. Of course a couple inexpensive shower curtains could be used if one wanted to see if the idea appealed to them.

 

[techfan]

See Post #5 of this thread.

Thanks Karen, thought I read all posts. Additional info: Met some really nice people at the Blue Bonnet last year and they liked the awnings and took the info and made their own. They just sent me pictures of their completed project and indicated that they used them in a torrential downpour in Texas and they worked great. They are bungie cording them to the "belly band". They added a nice fringe and more colorful fabric. (Please ignore that they are on a Casita, these work on any trailer.) Pics below:

 

[Shurdist]

techfan,
this is what i was looking for thanks!

 

[steve dunham]

We have the window maxx vents . Ours work as advertised ,do not leak and as far as looks, function over form prevails in my world .

 

[FMLNM]

Not necessarily... I created three individual awnings with NO holes. You can search for the thread "latest mods" or look on our website. They hold up well in the rain and keep it from coming in the slider.

We followed Techfan's lead and did the same thing, plus you can decide which/how many windows you want to set up on a given day/situation. They are also handy for keeping the trailer dark during the night...just remove the arm braces and let the canvas drop down against the window. The tracks for the awnings also act as rain gutters even when the awning is not deployed. For the loft windows where we do not have awnings, we used regular RV stick on rain gutters.