Here are my basic recommendations for a simple cooling set-up for your car. If you decide to do all day trials and such you my need more than the basics, and all of those extra items are included in the links below. But don’t let the long list daunt you, I am happy to helming you determine what is the best and most cost-effective option for your situation!
Basic Kit
2-4 silver emergency blankets (NOT the super flimsy ones) OR silver aluminum shade cloth 7’x10’ (or sized for your vehicle) $22-44
4-8 magnets $12-24
1-2 sets of expanding window screens $11-22
Shade cloth and car cooling info:
• Bulk Shade Cloth by the Foot, 70%, Silver, Aluminet Shade Cloth
I recommend the 7’ wide and ordering 8 to 12 feet of it depending on the size of your car. You can also order the 14’ wide size and get 8-12 feet of it if you want lots of side coverage. This has no edging, but it folds up smaller and more compactly. I use magnets to hold it in place. I prefer not having the binding it makes it easier to fold up and smaller to store; I have had mine for 7 years of heavy use and it has not yet begun to ravel!
• Premade Sizes with Binding and Grommets, 70%, Silver, Aluminet Shade Cloth
I recommend the 7’x8’ or 7’x12’ size depending on the size of your car.
* You can find the pre-made sizes with binding and grommets at other places including many on-line dog supply companies. I prefer not having the binding, as noted in the first link, as it makes it easier to fold up and smaller to store; I have had mine for 7 years of heavy use and it has not yet begun to ravel!
• Silver Emergency Blankets
These can be used by themselves or in combination with the Silver Aluminet Shade Cloth. I use both. The nice thing about the blankets is that they foldup really small and can be stored in the car at all times without taking up much space. You will need magnets to hold them in place. You can find these on-line and at outdoor sporting goods stores. They are typically 5’x7’, I keep at least two in the car, but I have 4 of them. The down side is that they do not allow airflow, so you have to position them so that you get airflow through the open windows.
2-pack:
Magnets
These are fish tank cleaning magnets, but work very well for holding shade cloth to your car. You will need 4-12 individual magnets. These come in pairs of 2, so order at least 2 packages to get the minimum of 4 magnets.
• There are other strong magnets out there, just do a Google search, the most important thing is that they have a handle of some sort so you can actually pull them off your car. If you get them too strong with no handle it will be a real pain! 20-40 lb magnet strength is probably plenty strong unless you live where there are high winds or you are trying to put several layers of cloth under one magnet.
Window Screen/Vent
These come in a couple of sizes, I would suggest the largest.
Made to Fit Your Car
Ventlocks
https://www.ventlock.com/
http://leerburg.com/1332.htm
https://www.cleanrun.com/product/ventlock_car_tailgate_locks/index.cfm
Heavy Duty Battery Fans
Travel Water Bowls
Pet Dividers for Vehicles (Not intended as safety barrier when driving, only when parked.)
Canopies to cover vehicles
Pop-ups (10x10 is a good size for most vehicles unless it’s a large SUV or truck)
Roof-top canopy
Pet Crates for Vehicles
• Pet crates for vehicles are a whole subject unto themselves with lots of varying opinions on safety of the various types. Please do the research and determine if a crate and what kind is best for your personal situation and vehicle. If you use a crate it must be securely attached to the car so it does not slide or move, especially in a crash situation.
