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Post by jayjay on Sept 22, 2007 14:34:08 GMT
Hi, Got a bedford rascal romahome, the cab is separate from the unit/pod. My dog won't travel in the cab with me, but she's quite happy to travel in the romahome. However, I can't open the roof vents when travelling and the side windows don't open either, not that you could drive along with the windows open anyway... In warm weather, this is going to be a real prob, I want to have some air circulating, so the dog doesn't get overheated. There are air holes underneath the seats, but not a lot of use when packed up to go. Anyone got any good ideas? Seen some solar powered extractor/ventilator gizmos on ebay and just wondered if anyone had one, used one. they seem good, apart from having to cut a hole in the window glass to install!  thanks, JayJay ;D |
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Post by jayjay on Sept 22, 2007 17:13:57 GMT
Just had another thought on this - can't I just tilt one of the airvents in the roof so they slant \ and leave one open for a bit of a draft? Or will I damage them doing that? Only plastic after all..... but then only doing average of 40 MPH... hmmmm!
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Post by martinw on Sept 23, 2007 9:02:30 GMT
Hi Jayjay,
Are you saying that your living area windows don't open at all?
On my Roma the living area windows can be opened slightly then locked in that position, can yours, I don't think you could do this though if it was raining.
Do you have a window between the cab and the living area?
If you have can you remove it, if not can you make one, I.E. a big hole, done correctly it would look OK. But then, as yours is a demountable keeping the rain out may be problem.
I personally would not drive with the roof vents open because, as I have noticed on mine, with age they become brittle and if you do loose one you are in real trouble.
Without knowing the Bedford Rascals exact setup I can only guess at a solution, you cant be the only Bedford Rascal owner with a dog, so come on you Rascal/dog owners out there lets help JayJay, I know that if NIQK (my dog) thought I was going away in the camper without him he would never forgive me.
Martin
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Post by Graham on Sept 23, 2007 9:38:05 GMT
Is there a window in the back door, if so, does that open?
I would imagine that would be safe while travelling as there would be no wind resistance.
I have seen people in motorhomes travelling with the roof vent tilted front down but as Martin says I am not sure I would recommend it.
Graham
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Post by jayjay on Sept 23, 2007 10:36:00 GMT
Hi Martin, nope the windows don't open at all, neither are they the usual double glazed ones. I can't afford to replace them, so that's not an option! All I have for air intake is to open the roof vents and the door. I imagine it might be a touch warm in the summer, but I haven't been camping in it yet, so maybe it will be ok. I'll see if I can take a photo a bit later so I can show you what I mean! Hi Graham, no there are no opening windows in the back door either! You don't notice these things when you buy them - others would, but I didn't....  There are two windows in the cab area - the one on the romahome has been removed, but it doesn't seem to rain in (i wonder if air comes in from there??? - will have to get someone to sit in the pod while I drive around). However the one on the cab is still intact. I heard someone somewhere say they had replaced this with a sliding window, so maybe that would be a solution. Just found something which might help - in B&Q online - a marley clear rotary window ventilator at £12.98.. I don't know how to get a link from here to there, but if you just type in ventilator to the search the site window, you could see it. Perhaps I could install two of these, one each side??? Although I'd have to cut a round hole in the windows to install - EEEK! |
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Post by martinw on Sept 23, 2007 14:02:11 GMT
Hi Jayjay
Yes, EEEEEEK, be very very sure be for cutting holes in windows, glass or plastic, if it is glass it is probably toughened and may not be "cutable".
I looked it the vents and I suspect they will not be water tight.
Sliding window? why not remove it completely if it is opposite the hole? left by the removal of the window in the living area.
Please take some pics at different angles because I really don't know what I am talking about.
I have just had an idea - got to look into it, will be back later.
Martin
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Post by martinw on Sept 23, 2007 14:57:07 GMT
Jayjay this is the idea I had www.plylineuk.co.uk/acatalog/Rotating_Air_Vents.html We used to use them in our vans, when I was working, transporting animals, dog,cats, etc. be for we had air conditioning installed in the carrying compartment, they work quite well but when you are transporting a number of animals in their boxes around Europe and the UK you need something better. I am sorry about the price, it shocked me to see how much they are, you might be able to get some second hand ones, 2 would be good, one front and one rear. I have just had another idea (I'm fool of them (some people say I'm full of something)) I think I might know where I can lay my hands on one/some. How about a motorized one!! My old boss NEVER throws anything away, thats why he had so much to take with him when he moved to France, he might have some laying around, I certainly remember packing a motorized one, and I cant see him using them again. I will be Speaking to him tomorrow so I will ask him if he still has any. If he does and he wants to sell I will let you know. As it happens I am going to France to stay with him on October 10 for 2 weeks, so collection from there is not a problem, and delivery to Congleton also no prob. Please don't count on it, but I will do my best. Hope this all makes sense, as I have been thinking while I have been typing, which I don't do very well, I cant type well either. Martin P.S. this all assumes that you dont mind the spinners ontop of your camper, let me know if you dont like the idea. M. |
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Post by jayjay on Sept 23, 2007 16:43:14 GMT
Wow, Martin, you go the extra mile for ppl, don't you!!! ;D ;D ;D
Those spinning things look just the job - even at £70, it's still worth it for the dogs sake....
Do you need the size of my roof vents?
Would a motorised one do the job and would it turn off when not in transit? Don't fancy something whirring away while I'm try to sleep! Where would the power supply come from? Sorry to ask all these q's, I know nowt about owt, me.
That certainly is a brilliant suggestion and solution! I'm overwhelmed by your generosity and it if fits, I would love to buy a motorised one from your friend in France. ;D ;D ;D
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Post by jayjay on Sept 23, 2007 16:48:37 GMT
... And my dog Merlyn (also female - deerhound/lurcher) would never speak to me again if I went away without her. I'm planning a long trip out to some of the Scottish Isles next year, prob in May... Here's a link to the Calmac ferry site: www.calmac.co.uk/hopscotch_route17I've put this suggestion in the new meets section thingy. ;D |
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Post by martinw on Sept 23, 2007 17:15:16 GMT
Hi Jayjay,
Just been in touch with my friend, it was his 60th birthday yesterday so you can imagine what he is like, and he had another session today , any way I asked him about the spinners and he has two motorized units with switches that he doesn't want any more and he said that I can have them.
They will be VERY cheap.
I don't know if one will do the job or if you might need two, but I will be speaking to him later in the week (when he is sober) and I'll ask his advice.
One thing though they do not fit in the roof vents, a hole of the right size must be cut into the roof, but if fitted properly they will not leak.
A switch is fitted in the circuit so it can be switched on and off at will, and as they are 12 volt they would be connected the the battery, probably to the leisure battery so that you can run it while stationary with no fear of draining the engine battery.
Will be back later in the week with more news so watch this space
Martin
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Post by jayjay on Sept 24, 2007 8:06:29 GMT
Sounds like the perfect solution to me - don't know how I'd get a hole cut in the roof and install/wire up, but I daresay I'll find someone who can help me! I have a small electric unit under the seat, with wires going off to the leisure battery, so it's a definate possibility! I will have to go look and see if there's a spare connection for anything. Bless you, and thanks again. I think one will be all I'll need though! JayJay :-)
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Post by martinw on Sept 24, 2007 13:56:46 GMT
JayJay,
I am sure you could find a COMPETENT person to fit it, its quite easy, if there is no spare connection it can be taken directly from the battery via an in line fuse.
Martin
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Post by yamaha on Sept 24, 2007 14:07:28 GMT
The solution to this conundrum is crystal clear to me - just strap the dog to the bonnet - loadsa fresh air !!  Mike |
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Post by jayjay on Sept 24, 2007 14:19:32 GMT
The solution to this conundrum is crystal clear to me - just strap the dog to the bonnet - loadsa fresh air !! Mike LOL!!! That made me laugh!!! ;D ;D ;D - especially as I haven't got a bonnet - the engine is underneath the seats in the cab - have to be the roof then!! |
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Post by martinw on Sept 24, 2007 15:29:55 GMT
The solution to this conundrum is crystal clear to me - just strap the dog to the bonnet - loadsa fresh air !! Mike LOL!!! That made me laugh!!! ;D ;D ;D - especially as I haven't got a bonnet - the engine is underneath the seats in the cab - have to be the roof then!! Or you could put a halter on the dog and use her like a Husky, it would also save on fuel |
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Post by jayjay on Sept 25, 2007 9:45:47 GMT
Well, I took son Craig out and he said there's plenty of air getting into the van, as the pod window(which looks out to the cab) has been removed... This is under the overhanging bit over the cab, so it doesn't rain in or anything. So it's just a big hole - (re Martin - i.e., a big hole in a previous post!) 'Twill suffice for now, although I still don't think it will be enough in the summer months in the way of air though, so I still think the spinner is the way to go.  |
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Post by martinw on Sept 25, 2007 10:25:52 GMT
This is under the overhanging bit over the cab, so it doesn't rain in or anything. JayJay, doesn't the rain drive in when you are going forward? Martin |
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Post by jayjay on Sept 25, 2007 19:16:15 GMT
This is under the overhanging bit over the cab, so it doesn't rain in or anything. JayJay, doesn't the rain drive in when you are going forward? Martin Doesn't seem to! All seems quite dry in there, but I wouldn't know for definate as I'm in the cab, quite separate, when I'm driving! I did wonder if driving rain might get in somewhere, will have to check in the driving rain, I suppose!!! Lol! |
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Post by martinw on Sept 28, 2007 23:32:43 GMT
JayJay,
Spinners are being sorted out by my friend in France and he says one should be enough, but I will bring both back with me when I come home, which will be in about four weeks time.
Martin
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Post by jayjay on Sept 29, 2007 17:25:23 GMT
Awww! Thanks Martin! I went to Aberystwyth for a couple of days - ended up opening the hatches and risking them blowing off, (although I did angle them backwards) for her b/c it was warm in there and she was gasping! Considering it's now Autumn, whatever will the temp reach in summer? Me thinks it's the perfect solution, much cheaper than fitting new windows, and I'll be able to get it fitted over the winter. Thanks again, will pm you when you get back. ;D ;D ;D
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