Truck Topper temps

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TSAMP

TSAMP

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Hot one today. Mid 80s in Iowa, topper temp was 93 when I started my drive home and it got down to 87 once air was moving at highway speed. Dogs ended up in the cab(one crated). I have fans rigged up but had the room so didn't want to risk it for a 2 hr drive.

I suspect they'd of been fine. I need to crawl back there and make the Mrs drive us down the road. With these windows and a front slider im not sure how much airflow there is.
 

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Look into a gasket that seals the cab to the camper shell. Then you can open the back truck glass and camper.shell and let your ac get into the back. I found a small battery powered fan to pull air through the cab into the shell.
 
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Look into a gasket that seals the cab to the camper shell. Then you can open the back truck glass and camper.shell and let your ac get into the back. I found a small battery powered fan to pull air through the cab into the shell.
Ya that only works if you have a slider on the truck. It's on my list. This is my setup for now.
 

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It’s always hotter when it’s hot and colder when it’s cold. Mine has windows for when it’s hot. Cold they can deal with.
 
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Curious if anyone that has a topper could assist with a experiment. It was 87 today and my internal topper temp was right around 87-88. I even removed the front glass against the cab to try and get more airflow. I'm curious with someone who has a sliding side glass that opens fully, If they can achieve a lower temp or not than outside.

Trying to decide if my topper windows are the limiting factor.
 
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I use to run around Iowa quite a bit with a Chessie crated in a topper. I had crank windows on the side and a slider near the cab. To keep the crank windows open and the tailgate window, use a few sections of pool noodles that have slit on one side. You can slide the noodle over the window and it won't close all the way and cushions it to keep it from breaking. People would put exhaust fans out of the topper to draw air in when not driving. I use to have a cooling pad I would also put down. They make some elevated mesh cots that can go in crates also so allow air flow 306 around the dog. Also, keep fresh cold water available for them.
 
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Well men. In my constant pursuit of tinkering with my dog kennel setup I thought I'd share some updates. I've raised the kennels to get closer to the airflow from my open side glass. I've also secured my Amazon fans to my gunner doors quite successfully. You'll see in the images below I just bought 1.5 inch EMT conduit brackets from a hardware store for $1.59. I think I have less than $45 per setup.

My dogs managed to ride back here seemingly comfortabe for an hour in near 90 temps. I was checking on them every once in awhile but all appeared well.
 

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Curious if anyone that has a topper could assist with a experiment. It was 87 today and my internal topper temp was right around 87-88. I even removed the front glass against the cab to try and get more airflow. I'm curious with someone who has a sliding side glass that opens fully, If they can achieve a lower temp or not than outside.

Trying to decide if my topper windows are the limiting factor.

Maybe I'm misunderstanding your question, but you won't be able to get your topper cooler than outside unless you have a cooling system. That pesky second law of thermodynamics gets in the way.
 
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Maybe I'm misunderstanding your question, but you won't be able to get your topper cooler than outside unless you have a cooling system. That pesky second law of thermodynamics gets in the way.
Everybody knows we're talkin feels like temp here. Humidity and airflow included. Take your nerd science elsewhere.
 

Weldor

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They have some very good solar fans available, that might be worth alook. Thay also make some 12 volt refrigeration units and AC units.
 

Watrdawg

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When travelling to Hunt Tests, Trials or just Hunting I'd keep my slide windows open and run a fan in front of each crate. Never had any issues with my Labs. I'm in NC and temps here even in late spring and early fall can get in the 90's. Now during the winter when hunting I kept the windows closed to help keep the inside warmer for the dogs. As others have said never put wet dogs in a crate when its hot out. They will cook pretty quick.
 
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I think the while moving temps are more easily managed. I'm still having issues getting my Internal Temp to match outside air temp. I think the windows are my issue since they aren't half sliders. With front glass removed and highway speeds I get close to outside air temps but man when parked it cooks back there. I think windoors and a fully open canopy is the only way to make that work.
 

H2PVon

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Look into a gasket that seals the cab to the camper shell. Then you can open the back truck glass and camper.shell and let your ac get into the back. I found a small battery powered fan to pull air through the cab into the shell.
Got any links to this?
 

Weldor

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The nice part is does not rub your paint off like the old boots.
 

Stalker69

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I don't think your thermometer is wrong. We have idiots lose their dogs alot do to this. Another is exhaust fumes in the bed.
 

jmez

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If it isn't parked in the shade with a pretty stiff wind you will cook them. Even then I would have windows open, topper back door and tailgate open.

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