SILVER
LININGS
Keeping cool isn’t just about pumping the
AC, clever heat management can help too
Words TIM VAN DUYL
PicsJack MurphyW
e knew what was in front
of us in Far North
Queensland — long
hot days and the
need for cold beers. Even in
Dan’s brand new Ranger the
AC struggled to keep things
cool. We couldn’t bear the
idea of the fridge failing and
the middies getting warm,
so we went on the hunt for
insulation.
Solarscreen duly came to the
party. Ripping into the boxes that
arrived a few weeks after our order, we
realised quickly these were no cheap window
sunshades won at a local pub raffle. There's a
real feel of quality in the thickness of them, not
to mention double stitching around the edges,
which also impressed.
Quick sticks they were suckered onto the
LandCruiser 200, Celso's Prado and Dan’s blue
rocket and, across all three Race to the Cape tow
tugs, they went on like a dainty hand into a kid
glove.
We didn't carry a thermometre (who does?)
but doing the old leave-it-shut-a-while-and-
RRP $POA
Where
OnlineMore info
http://www.solarscreen.com.auopen-it-quick science experiment, we
found the inside of Dan’s
ute tray cooler for sure
— probably a few
degrees, which is
what Solarscreen
said we should see
at a minimum.
Talking to the
Queensland-based
team we got some
insight into what
makes them work. It
turns out they have triple
aluminium layers with two of
polyethylene and one of Dacron
insulation between them. The net
effect is effective sound deadening,
as well as condensation and heat
control.
The crew has patterns for almost
every ute, fourbie and canopy on the
market and can turn them 'round to
order quickly.
If you’re hitting the road over the
hot months, these are a cool option.ee,LATEST AND GREATEST GEAR