Solar bunk end covers from casualty blankets

[austinado16]

James' discussion on options to the Popup Gizmos product got me searching around and looking at the "Sportsmans Blankets" sold at campmor, REI, Cabala's, etc.  

On another PUP forum someone mentioned having purchased US Military "Casualty Blankets" from a source on ebay.  I couldn't get any info on how they compare to the Sportsmans Blanket, so for $15.99 plus shipping, I ordered the 3 pack; 1 for the small bunk and 2 to sew together for the big bunk.  I also thought they'd be nice under the bunk mattresses and I liked that one side was Olive Drab, rather than red or blue.

Anyone have the Sportsmans Blanket to offer up a comparison?  These casualty blankets appear to be very nice quality-wise, but they are no thicker than one of the nice/thick silver-on-one-side tarps you'd buy at the hardware store.

[wavery]

James' discussion on options to the Popup Gizmos product got me searching around and looking at the "Sportsmans Blankets" sold at campmor, REI, Cabala's, etc.  

On another PUP forum someone mentioned having purchased US Military "Casualty Blankets" from a source on ebay.  I couldn't get any info on how they compare to the Sportsmans Blanket, so for $15.99 plus shipping, I ordered the 3 pack; 1 for the small bunk and 2 to sew together for the big bunk.  I also thought they'd be nice under the bunk mattresses and I liked that one side was Olive Drab, rather than red or blue.

Anyone have the Sportsmans Blanket to offer up a comparison?  These casualty blankets appear to be very nice quality-wise, but they are no thicker than one of the nice/thick silver-on-one-side tarps you'd buy at the hardware store.

Thickness has nothing to do with the concept of the "solar reflectors". The whole idea is based around "Reflecting" the Sun's rays. They are not insulating blankets.

Technically, you could do the same thing with aluminum foil. However, it would fall apart. What you are looking for is durability, not thickness.

[austinado16]

Thickness has nothing to do with the concept of the "solar reflectors". The whole idea is based around "Reflecting" the Sun's rays. They are not insulating blankets.

Technically, you could do the same thing with aluminum foil. However, it would fall apart. What you are looking for is durability, not thickness.

I guess by thinking in terms of some sort of thickness, I was also thinking that thickness would provide some level of insulation, since even during reflection of the sun's radiant heat there would be some absorbsion and transfer to the bunk fabric.  No?

[wavery]

I guess by thinking in terms of some sort of thickness, I was also thinking that thickness would provide some level of insulation, since even during reflection of the sun's radiant heat there would be some absorbsion and transfer to the bunk fabric.  No?

It probably wouldn't hurt to have some insulating qualities but the concept is that the Sun's rays are reflected and not absorbed by the material.

We have the PU Gizmos. I have experimented by putting a cover on one bunk and not the other, on a sunny day. I put my hand on he inside of of the bunk ceiling with the Gizmo and it is cool. I put my hand on the ceiling of the other bunk end and it is hot.

On cold days, the concept is to turn the blanket to the colored side so that the Sun's rays will be absorbed and the heat will be transfered into the inside of the PU. In that case, the insulation would actually be a detriment.

Remember, heat rises and cold falls. On warm days, an insulating pad may tend to keep the heat in, as apposed to allowing it to escape.

[austinado16]

It probably wouldn't hurt to have some insulating qualities but the concept is that the Sun's rays are reflected and not absorbed by the material.

We have the PU Gizmos. I have experimented by putting a cover on one bunk and not the other, on a sunny day. I put my hand on he inside of of the bunk ceiling with the Gizmo and it is cool. I put my hand on the ceiling of the other bunk end and it is hot.

On cold days, the concept is to turn the blanket to the colored side so that the Sun's rays will be absorbed and the heat will be transfered into the inside of the PU. In that case, the insulation would actually be a detriment.

Remember, heat rises and cold falls. On warm days, an insulating pad may tend to keep the heat in, as apposed to allowing it to escape.

Great points!  Thanks for "tuning me up" on this.  I really wanted to spend up and get the Popup Gizmos, but thought I'd take a chance with these and if they were a POS, I'd keep one or 2 in each of our cars "just in case."  

So are the Popup Gizmos thick at all?  Or just sort of a "nice tarp" or "good canvas" type of thickness?

[wavery]

Great points!  Thanks for "tuning me up" on this.  I really wanted to spend up and get the Popup Gizmos, but thought I'd take a chance with these and if they were a POS, I'd keep one or 2 in each of our cars "just in case."  

So are the Popup Gizmos thick at all?  Or just sort of a "nice tarp" or "good canvas" type of thickness?

The Gizmos are extremely thin but they don't tear (that's the important thing).

Just looking at the pic that you posted, those look good. In fact, that dark green will probably absorb more heat then the red that the Gizmos use. I'm not sure what the concept is with the red color. I would think that the more pigment (darker color) the warmer the material would get. Just like a black car gets hotter inside than a red or white car. A white car has little pigment so i reflects most of the Sun's rays.

[austinado16]

The Gizmos are extremely thin but they don't tear (that's the important thing).

Just looking at the pic that you posted, those look good. In fact, that dark green will probably absorb more heat then the red...

Yes, these are very nice quality and the silver is "metalized" so it doesn't rub off, like the mylar type finish that comes on Reflectix Insulation (for example).

I'm very happy with them, just didn't know if the Popup Gizmos were insulated and all special inside (same question I had about the Sportsmans Blankets) or if they were a thing "single layer" type material.

Looks like I did okay then purchase wise.  Cool (literally)!

Here's a link to the ebay auction where I got mine.  I called the seller and talked to him prior to purchase too:  Casualty Blankets on Ebay

[austinado16]

Doing a little test today......

I've got one blanket laying crossways on the front bunk which is cooking in the sun.

With my infrared temp gun aimed at the canvas from inside the camper, I get 130*F on the roof in the sun and 100*F on the roof panel that's protected by the casualty blanket.

Not too bad!

[austinado16]

Finally got a chance to clamp down, measure, cut and sew two of the casualty blankets together to make the front bunk cover.  I bought the large "binder clamps" from Staples for $4/12.  Bought 2 boxes, one for each bunk.  

I'm working on the rear bunk right now which will need one of the scraps from the front bunk in order to be long enough.

[dupreet]

Hi,

I use the 'sportsmen' blankets.  They are actually branded 'Space Blankets' - they are not the super small/thin emergency ones.  They look similar to your picture - they are sturdy and have grommets.  I have been using them for a couple years and have had nothing but success.  For $12-14 at REI or Cabelas, they are an affordable alternative to Gizmos for me.

Todd

[austinado16]

Looking through the paperwork that came with these, they are actually made by "MPI" the company that makes the ones sold as "Sportsmans Blankets" etc. by the places you listed.  I'm glad I was able to do this mod.  Spent about $31 including shipping and the clamps.  

Couldn't have done it without the info on this site and Popup Portal.

[PattieAM]

I've got the Popup gizmos for my Niagara and they make a big difference in summer and winter camping.  I highly recommend them.

[He Ruide]

Todd and other Sportmans blanket users,  

A word of caution from personal experience.  These blankets are highly reflective as shown by the reflection of sunlight off the roof in the middle of Todd's photograph.  There is a lot of heat that is concentrated at that point and it can actually damage the roof during prolonged bright sunlight and extremely high ambient temperatures.  Under those circimstances, I recommend protecting the roof edge by using a strip of Reflectix attached with velcro.

[austinado16]

Todd and other Sportmans blanket users,  

A word of caution from personal experience.  These blankets are highly reflective as shown by the reflection of sunlight off the roof in the middle of Todd's photograph.  There is a lot of heat that is concentrated at that point and it can actually damage the roof during prolonged bright sunlight and extremely high ambient temperatures.  Under those circimstances, I recommend protecting the roof edge by using a strip of Reflectix attached with velcro.

Thanks for that tip.  Are you saying the "edge" where the blanket is clipped on, or the more like the sides of the camper vinyl where the blanket is touching more?

[He Ruide]

Todd, I'm sorry I was not clearer. I was referring to the front side of the roof where the light reflects off (see the picture below).  The heat that can build up there can actually deform the insulating styrofoam below the roof material and result in a bubbling effect of the roof.