Do You Need a Roof Vent Fan on a Teardrop?

Teardrop Issues and Climate

• Because teardrop trailers are designed to be made out of basic, cost-effective materials, they are usually not equipped with much air conditioning. When transporting supplies instead of people, not much airflow is needed. But climates can have a key impact on the trailer. In hotter climates the trapped air inside the trailer can gain heat very quickly. The result is a build-up of temperature and moisture which may damage what you are transporting unless you cool the space.

Coatings and Windows

• If your trailer does not have a metal covering, you may want to consider adding one. An aluminum shell is a common component of teardrop trailers and can help reflect away much of the heat that warm climates can produce. This may be enough to cool your trailer down without the need to install a roof fan. Likewise, installing a couple windows and leaving them open on warm days may create enough air flow to avoid worrying about heat or moisture damage.

Fans

• If you live in a very hot climate, or often transport more delicate materials that can be ruined by the heat, you may need to take additional steps to cool the trailer. It is not necessary for all trailers or all climates, but in the dry Midwest or humid South you may find some additions necessary. In this case, attaching a roof-based air conditioner can keep the space cool. A simple fan may help, but will not make much difference when driving down the highway. A small air conditioner can perform the cooling job more reliably.

Considerations

• Air conditioners come with problems of their own. The unit needs to bring in air from the outside and cool it before spreading it through the teardrop, or you may accidentally create a low-pressure area in the trailer and overwork the unit. If you do install a roof vent, with or without an AC unit, buy one that can be securely winched shut if you are not using it, to protect against rain and debris.