Loaded question I know, but it s one I need an answer too. Has any one used Cabella s Survival Blankets as bunk end covers for more than one season, and if so, how did they work out? I understand that they work well, but am wondering if they hold up. I am considering buying Popupgizmo s bunk end covers before the price goes up, but right now the lower price investment in the blankets seems wiser, since I just bought a plethora of other toys and want to order the Bal leveler on sale @ Camping World. If I knew the blankets would hold out a whole season, I go that way then buy popupgizmos next year. Any ideas/comments?[:)]
scpreacherswifeIf you are actually talking about survival blankets, no they will not last.
But if you are talikng about the thicker " quilted" blankets (silver on one side, red or blue on the other) yes - they will last.
I used the quilted blankets for about a season and a half and they are still going strong. I did by the Popupgizmos covers and am impressed with the fit and quality. The Cabella s blankets just won t cover the whold king bunk end on my Santa Fe.
scpreacherswifeThanks for the info! I am actually talking @ the Grren or red/silver thicker blankets from Cabellas Sporting. We have an " vintage" [;)]popup " 86 w/ double size bunk ends, so the fit should be fine. I m sure Gizmo s are better insulated and easier to put up & down, but I m really leaning toward the blankets for right now.
scpreacherswifeI use " space blankets" --silver on one side and red or blue on the other. They appear to be exactly the same material that the solar bunk end covers from Pop-up Gizmos are made from. The standard space blanket should fit a double or queen bunkend with no problem. Cost about $10-15 depending on where you get them and you can hold them on with clothespins or clamps. I put them on the bunkends when the camper is half-way up.
We ve been using these for years at dog shows to keep our vans cool in the sun--just drape them over the top of the vehicle and clamp. I did buy new ones for the camper, but we ve used the same ones at shows weekend after weekend. They last for years.
scpreacherswifeI just ordered the Popupgizmo s bunk covers yesterday. We don t have a/c and there were a couple of trips this past summer where I would have paid twice as much to have cooled the camper even 2 degrees! PUG s covers have gotten rave reviews from those who have purchased them, and I ve never seen anything negative written about them. Don t forget that as a PUT member, you get 10% off.
I ve heard that the thicker survival blankets, like the ones at Cabela s work well, but there have been reports of the colored side (red, green or blue) rubbing off onto the pu s tenting material. You may want to be careful about that if you decide to go that route.
Stay cool![8D]
scpreacherswifeWe purchased our covers from PopupGizmo s and Bob (The owner of the company) gave them to me at Inks Lake State Park last week.
I like them because...
1. They fold up into almost nothing (very thin)
2. Very lightweight
3. They come with a TON of clips to attach them with (we have enough extras that we could hold down another cover if we wanted to)
4. I ve heard NO negative feedback about them
5. The first day we had them on, I noticed an IMMIDIATE difference in the temp in the PU from the day before at hte same time of day/same temp outside. I actually had to shut the Fan off because it got too cool
6. Bob guarantees his product. If you have any problems with it, he ll replace it.
7. They re VERY easy to set up and take down
The way I see it, I d rather spend a few more bucks now and get something that I know will work, last, and is exactly what I m looking for vs. getting something that may not work the way I want it to, may not last, and is not what I m looking for.
Jennifer
scpreacherswifeJennifer
I will second your post
scpreacherswifeI agree with GeneF.......[:)]
scpreacherswifeWe ve heard so many good things about Bob s bunk-end covers, we ve also ordered a set and are awaiting their arrival. Bob wrote me saying that he was waiting for a new shipment of material and would be shipping shortly.
We can t wait after spending a hot June in Palo Duro Canyon last year.
C & T
scpreacherswifeWe have the Popup Gizmos and wouldn t go without them. They really make a difference on the temp in the trailer. I did have to buy some heavier clamps, as the small ones don t hold in heavy winds. They also help keep the bunkend tops cleaner. We used the cheap space blankets and sometime soon I need to scrub off some of the silver that rubbed off. Another thread suggested using Velcro on the part of the cover that goes under the roof. I like that idea, as it reduces a couple of clamps.
scpreacherswifei have ordered the solar bunk end covers from popup gizmos. do they come with any clips to hold them on? thanks!!!
2001 flagstaff
flag01
QuoteORIGINAL: flag01
i have ordered the solar bunk end covers from popup gizmos. do they come with any clips to hold them on? thanks!!!
2001 flagstaff
Yes plenty of clips![;)]
scpreacherswifeI ve been using the Cabelas blankets for 3 years. No stains, no tears or rips, zero discoloration. PUG s covers seem to be about the same material. The Cabelas ones are not thicker at all. Having been camping with several people that have the PUG covers it s been easy to compare (Mr. PUG is in our club too). I keep mine on with little white clips that are available at Walmart by where you can buy the plastic clothes hangers. They work great.
The PUG covers have some very good advantages over the Cabelas blankets. For one, they are a perfect fit. On a queen sized bunk end the Cabelas product fits OK but the equivalent PUG cover seems to be slightly larger making it easier to install and clip into place. I agree with Bill from Oz and Us that the Cabelas blanket will not completely cover a kingsized bunk end. When I put it on it leaves an uncovered gap of about 9-10" on the top and bottom. The PUG cover again is a perfect fit. Though the Cabelas blanket works OK on this end there is some susceptibility to wind getting under it which is not the case for the PUG one. With PUG you also get the clips.
The Cabelas blankets Bill and I both use are not those silvery things that lose their coating. What would I do if I was going to make a decision on what to do? I would go for the PUG covers. They fit perfect, there have been zero complaints, plus you get 10% off for being a PUT member. Pretty good deal I d say.
Now if I can get Bob just to give me a kingsized cover for this excellent testimonial.....
oldmoose
QuoteORIGINAL: oldmoose
Another thread suggested using Velcro on the part of the cover that goes under the roof. I like that idea, as it reduces a couple of clamps.
Here s the link to that thread: http://www.popuptimes.com/members/tm.asp?m=17302&p=1&tmode=1
scpreacherswifeI have to add a question here. I ve been wanting to buy the PopupGizmo s solar covers since he first posted the question on the old board asking if anyone would be interested in them if he started making them. Since then, I ve been working hard on getting the money together to part with to buy them. Now that the price is going up, hopefully I can get a set, but before I do, I d like to know how long they last.
I saw a couple of people post that it was time to buy a new set, and other people asked if they only last a season or two, but there was no answer - so how long do they last?
scpreacherswifeI use the Cabelas product which appears to be made out of very similar product in terms of color, strength and flexibility. I ve had mine for 3 years. I camp about every third weekend and then for 2 full weeks each year. Let s assume that I camp about 55 nights a year X 3 years = 165 nights. I would guess that living down here in TX I use my covers about 1/2 the time, so now the total is about 84 nights. Mine show no signs of wear other than having some permanents creases in them due to being folded up. I think if you leave them mounted on your camper instead of folding them up, you may cause some wear due to the stresses of push/pull as the camper is set up. I would be surprised if the PUT covers are any different.
scpreacherswifeI ordered a set of Popup Gizmos blankets last week. I think I will like them.
scpreacherswifeWell, my son has kept track of all of our trips. We have taken the Utah out 19 times now (just returned this afternoon). We have used the Popugizmo s on all but one of them and there is absolutely no damage or wear and tear done to them so far. Great product that is custom fit to your specific PU!
scpreacherswifeJeff do you fold them the same way each time you use them?
scpreacherswifeTracy -
Good question. I ve never noticed, but there would really be only 2 different ways you could fold them and by the end of a camping w/e there aren t any noticeable fold lines or creases. We keep our 3 panels in a " ziploc" 2 1/2 gallon bag. The clamps we keep in a freezer " ziploc" bag inside of the 2 1/2 gallon one with the panels.
One other note; It s nice to see the sap and bird $#^% on the covers instead of the bunk roof canvas. Whenever they do finally " go" , I will order a new set with a smile on my face.
scpreacherswifeHow do I get the PUG blankets?
Danny ODanny -
Here you go;
http://www.popupgizmos.com
You order them directly and not through the PUT store. Don t forget to mention you are from PUT and give your screen name. Once Bob (the owner) confirms your membership, you ll get a discounted price. He is having to raise the price on April 1st, so it looks like you decided to get these just in time.
Danny Othanks for the quick response.
Danny Oand Bob at PUG is very accommodating....i ve misplaced the paper with the measurements, want to take advantage of the lower price, but am not camping again until april 18.
he said it would be fine for me to send him a check in advance and the measurements later on.
i m looking forward to having the a/c drip on the the solar covers and not the tenting......
Danny OSandykayak... make one of the condensation gutters and you won t have any drip problem at all. Here s a link to Shawn s pictures, very easy to make... http://www.cox-internet.com/williamson/PUfix.htm
Danny Othanks for the link, bob. a fellow camper showed me something similar, but when my friend looked at my a/c unit, he didn t think it would work....couldn t find the " hole" or whatever...
so......has anyone make the pvc pipe modification for a Carrier a/c unit?
Danny OThe PVC doesn t actually attach to the A/C. It is used to collect the condensation as it drips off the roof. What I do is turn on the A/C and see which corner it drips off. If it s dripping on the canopy side I just tilt the camper very slightly until it s dripping off the other side and then slide the PVC under the edge of the roof so it drains off the camper.
sandykayakSandy, I did the same thing! Lol, wonder how many of us had to?
We set ours up in the driveway, though, so we should be able to get the measurements to him fairly quickly, rather than waiting for June (our first trip for the year).
scpreacherswifeHi All,
We just received our solar covers from Popup Gizmos on Friday and the quality is awesome! We can t wait to try them out on our next camping trip which is coming up in about a month.
Thanks,
C & T
Danny Otold ya [:)]
Danny OAbout that question I asked wondering why someone was getting ready to purchase a new set of covers after theirs only lasted a year. Bob of PopUpGizmos caught that post, followed up on it, and gave me my answer.
I was happy to hear that this was a seasonal camper who left their cover up 24/7, rain or shine! I thought I d share this with anyone else who was also wondering and/or hesitating.
I ve heard enough wonderful reviews of all of Bob s products to know he puts quality first and I am happy to say I have FINALLY purchased a set of covers!!! [:D] Now I can t wait for them to get in!
-Teri
Danny OI got my covers Friday. I am hoping to give the bunkends a good cleaning and then use the covers when we are camping Wednesday.
Danny OCan t wait to check yours out Tracy. Mine are on order but may take awhile. I got my order in at the end of March, which I imagine was a pretty busy time. BTW, I haven t mentioned to Chris that I bought them so keep let s show them off to him and hope he says he wants a set (hopefully a June anniv present). Key to our happy marriage - let him " think" it s " his" idea [:D]. Besides, he s happy as can be now that he s driving Rick s copcar.
Di
Danny OMine shipped last week, and they were waiting on my front doorstep when I got home from the SLO Escape Rally on Sunday. They look great and I can t wiat to try them at our next rally in May (there s stillroom if you d like to join us! http://www.popuptimes.com/members/tm.asp?m=2554&p=1&tmode=1 )
Now, I just want to add a strip of velcro to the covers and the underside of the bunkends so that the covers will fasten up under there, and then I ll be all set for the heat of summer![8D][:D]
Danny OFolks,
Am I to understand the most of you that have ordered the PUG type covers do not have or use A/C? I was in the process this pass December to buy them but backed off when I found out BOB did not take plastic money. After reading the thread I am now debating on get them because I do have A/C and use it. Partly due to having too. There is another company making them now and I beleive they are about 25.00 dollars cheaper. Don t know about the quality. Shoulds I try?
Danny Owhitestar505,
I have A/C and own and use the PUG covers during summer camping.
They allow the A/C to work a little easier and help keep the temperature stable.
I had not heard there was a new manufacturer and would be interested in the information. With that said, I am a believer that you get what you pay for. For an item in this price range, you are talking about a 33% price difference. I wonder if there was that much " fat" to cut before having to degrade the product to save $$$.
The owner of PUG is an active pop up camper and stands behind his products.
Danny OI also have A/C and use the covers. When camping at INks it actually got COLD in the camper with using both. We had to turn the AC off.
Bob (POP UP GIZMO OWNER) hand delivered them to me at one of our outings with NTPUCA. They re wonderful and fold up to a small size. He also includes all the clips which some dealers charge extra for.
SUre, you can get the one s that are $25.00 cheaper, but what do you know about them? Might as well spend a bit more $$$ to get something that you KNOW is great and will last.
J. [:)]
Danny OSure looks like Bob has built up some consumer loyalty on this board.
I guess that is what comes from having a great product and taking care of his customers.
When I ordered mine, last year, I asked him if I could have them for the Tenn Rally. He made a special effort and I had them in plenty of time.
Thanks again, Bob
Danny OBeing in Texas a cold A/C is a MUST and Popup Gizmo s Bunkend cover work great, they work sooo great it s like a icebox in there at night. The bunkend cover are great.
Danny OI ordered my covers and in a post here, at PUT, I mentioned that we were going on a trip soon. Without asking Bob to rush my order he did. He move our order up so that we would have the covers before we went.
scpreacherswifemy covers arrived last night...won t be using them until June 6.
Would whoever said they use velcro please splain it to me? I m guessing you used sticky velcro and glued one part to the inside " rim" of the popup top and then put the soft side of the velcro along the top edge of the cover.
Since it gets really hot here (can t even keep my SunPass doohickey glued to the windshiel!) I would have to reinforce the fabric velcro with basting stitches...but am concerned about the adhesive on the roof becoming unstuck.
sandykayakI ve used these covers and/or survival blankets for a couple of years now with only the clips to hold them on. I ve never had one blow off yet and they ve stayed on through some pretty good storms here in TX. I d suggest trying them as they are before you go sewing or gluing velcro on.
sandykayakSandy -
The velcro is my idea (I think, ha). It works perfectly and just like I planned for it to work.
Its only purpose is to be able to raise the roof with the SBEC s in place so all you have to do once the shepherd s poles are in place is to clamp the 3 remaining open sides.
In a nutshell, I stuck one side of the velcro to the plastic piece/strip that is under the lip of the ABS roof where the canvas meets the underside of the roof. I then stuck the other side of the velcro on the fabric that is around the top perimeter of the solar covers. My DW then re-enforced the velcro on the solar covers by sewing them also.
When popping-up, we raise the roof about 12" and then stop and attach the solar covers (we have 3 with the slide-out) to the roof and then finish raising the roof.
We then happily watch as the solar covers go up with the roof. Gone are the days of trying to get the solar covers under the lip of the roof after set-up and then try and pinch them in there with the shepherd s poles.
Last note;
We also put the velcro on the reverse side of the solar covers for when it is cold outside (January & February for us) and we want to keep the heat in the PU.
Hope this made sense as I m in a hurry here, lol.
Happy and cool camping!
sandykayakJust got back from 2 1/2 weeks in Florida. My PopUpGizmo s Bunk End Covers worked amazingly well! I m so glad we didn t have to go without them! Took me a while to part with the money, but I m very glad I did. The A/C actually turned off frequently, even during the day!
scpreacherswifeCan someone please contact popupgizmos.com for me.
I want to order covers for my pop up, but I can t respond to the email address listed on his web page. Something in my server keeps giving me an error message when I try to email him.
I have the order form, but I think that we get a discount if we re members and I want to find out what the cost would be as a Pop Up Times member.
Thanks, Ray Vaillancourt, Tampa
raymarco@tampabay.rr.com