We are thinking about buying the bunkend solar covers for our popup. Any opinions?
Ever climbed into a bunkend for a nice lazy afternoon nap and felt like some had switch the trailer to the broil setting on an oven? The bunk end cover will do a really good job of removing the radiant heat. Just one weekend having to set up on a sunny site IMHO pays for the covers.
A couple of other pluses for the covers are: They keep the bunkend roofs clean, a great help camping under "drippy trees" and you can even flip them over when it gets cooler outside to help prevent condensation on th bunkend roofs and they also help keep them warmer.
Buy'em, you'll love'em.:)
Quote from: PopUpMommaWe are thinking about buying the bunkend solar covers for our popup. Any opinions?
Yes, I have and opinion and it is very positive.
Originally many pop up campers (meaning the people who camp in pop ups :D ) began buying "Reflectix" and cutting/splicing it to size for their bunks end roofs.
From the Reflectix web site:
QuoteReflectix
If the price at PopupGizmo's scares you away, take a look at THESE (http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jhtml?id=0006243510214a&navAction=push&navCount=1&indexId=&podId=0006243&catalogCode=XE&parentId=&parentType=&rid=&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcommon%2Fcatalog%2Fitem-link.jhtml_A&_DAV=search&hasJS=true) at Cabela's.... buy 3 of them, one for the smaller rear bed, the other two for the front bunk. Know someone with a sewing machine? Then you could get them to sew two together for the front bunk. Same material as Gizmo's by the way!!!
Quote from: Gone-CampingIf the price at PopupGizmo's scares you away, take a look at THESE at Cabela's.... buy 3 of them, one for the smaller rear bed, the other two for the front bunk. Know someone with a sewing machine? Then you could get them to sew two together for the front bunk. Same material as Gizmo's by the way!!!
I believe that PopupGizmo provides a 10% discount to ArveeClub members and also includes the clips with the covers. So for a little more expense, you get custom fitted solar covers. Like someone else said, they are useful for more than just heat...they help on cold nights, under sappy trees, and I've even seen them used to keep a bunk end dark in a lighted campground.
Whever ever you get, you won't regret. But if you get the cheap space blankets, you'll wind up replacing them very quickly---thereby BUYING TWICE, which is the most expensive way to buy anything.
gsm x2
I like my PUGizmo's covers. It took about 2 years to get myself to buy them (better than the 7 or so years to decide we could part with the money for a PU, lol!), but I am sooo glad we did. I used to use the cheap reflective covers but would come across two problems - 1)they didn't cover completely and 2)they are pretty much one use only before the reflective stuff starts flaking away.
His customer service is superb as well. He got our order to us before our camping trip, and I didn't think that was going to be possible.
I also give PopUpGizmo's solar covers a big thumbs up. I had posted here on PUT that we were going on a trip and I hoped the covers would come in time. Bob read the post and said he would make sure I had them for the trip. He didn't have to do that. I waited to long to order the covers, but we had them and I am very happy with them. :)
Do what I did. Buy the cheep solar covers and see if it is what you want. Then after that you "WILL" buy Popup Gizmo's Bunk end covers. I put them on and keep them on even when poping down. They are made of strong material and the holding clamps are of high quality as well. Hope you enjoy your Bunk end covers as much as we do! :D
I like them and still use them on my hybrid even though they are too big for the bunk ends. Only problem is they were one more thing I had to do while setting up the popup so sometimes I was too lazy to do it. Others have designed a system for them stay on while opening and closing the bunk end.
The material is fairly high quality, but I found on the clamps the tip protector would fall off and has potential to scratch vinyl tenting. Best thing about them besides reflecting heat is they keep your bunk ends clean.
I'll give 'em a thumbs up too! I used them on the bunk ends when camping at the Bristol race last August. We kept most of the windows zipped down because it was pretty warm. You would expect the interior of the PU to be the same temperature or possibly even warmer than on the outside. However, the interior of the PU stayed noticeably cooler than the outside.
Also had 'em on when we camped at Charlotte for the races this past May. The temps were in the upper 80's to low 90's almost the whole time--and we had NO shade. But with the PU Gizmo solar covers on, you could stretch out on the bunk for a nap in the afternoon without feeling like you were in a sauna.
If the covers deserve a thumbs up, then the customer service from PU Gizmos deserves two thumbs up! The site said to allow a couple of weeks for delivery, and since you have to mail a check or MO for payment that adds additional time. I was leaving on a camping trip in about 10 days when I decided to order them. I emailed Bob at PU Gizmos and asked if there was any way possible to have the covers in time for the trip--even offered to pay extra shipping if necessary. He e-mailed back promptly and said that wouldn't be a problem. I got the covers in time for the trip, he didn't charge me any extra shipping, and I got my PUT discount! :)
We just got back from vacation one week ago and used our bunkend covers for the first time. I held off getting them, but after a few full-sun campsites and a bunk topped by bird droppings on our last weekend, DH and I decided they were worth a try. I E-mailed Popup Gizmos and explained we were leaving and I'd like them before then, and as others have said, he E-mailed back saying no problem. I got them in plenty of time. They were easy to install and made a big difference. We noticed our bunks stayed cool in the morning sun, and we had the added benefit of it keeping our bunks darker than if they weren't in place, allowing us to sleep later (if the neighbors would keep the noise down!)
I'm really happy we bought them. They take up so little room that it's not a big deal to find a place to keep them. We had a mishap on the trip up (liquid laundry detergent + bunk-end covers + high altitude = one big mess when you unpack:yikes: ) and I just took the covers to the bathroom and rinsed the soap off, dried it with a paper towel and we were ready to install them. They wipe clean pretty easily.
Another positive reply! We love our solar covers too. After all the reading I had done on here the first things we bought for our popup were the BAL leveler and the solar covers. Both awesome purchases! Keeps the pu cooler and the tops cleaner (no more leaves, bird droppings or sap on the bunkends, and also keeps the top dryer if it rains!
Quote from: PopUpMommaWe are thinking about buying the bunkend solar covers for our popup. Any opinions?
We love our PopUp Gizmos solar covers. BTW, during the winter we flip them upside down and they seem to help keep the heat in as well!
cheers,
mike
I'm one of those that went the Reflectix route...... did it well before PopUp Gizmo's (Bob) wisely saw an opportunity and ran with it. Either route you take, it'll make quite a difference in the bunk-end temps. Just for kicks, I put a cover on one and left the other "naked" and checked the temperature difference. With the windows open and no A/C, there was a 17 degree difference three inches from the canvas. When these Refletix covers are finished, I'll be giving Bob a call.
Why camper manufacturers don't find a way to use this concept on their pop-ups and hybrids, I have no clue.
Quote from: gsm x2I believe that PopupGizmo provides a 10% discount to ArveeClub members and also includes the clips with the covers. So for a little more expense, you get custom fitted solar covers. Like someone else said, they are useful for more than just heat...they help on cold nights, under sappy trees, and I've even seen them used to keep a bunk end dark in a lighted campground.
Whever ever you get, you won't regret. But if you get the cheap space blankets, you'll wind up replacing them very quickly---thereby BUYING TWICE, which is the most expensive way to buy anything.
gsm x2
I ordered my set a week before the last camping trip, and they arrived in plenty of time. The 10% discount for PUT members was an added bonus. We never did put them on the tops of the bunkends (it just wasnt that hot out), but they did come in handy - as Scott mentioned, they worked well blocking the light from an adjacent campsite (as well as the early morning sun)........ take a look.......
http://community.webshots.com/photo/158224771/158228421auJWsI In any case, I have been told that they make the A/C unit way more effective on hot days.....
- Randy
Thank you for posting this question!! I woke up this morning with condensation on the roof over my bed so I am definately buying these for the reverse effect if nothing else!
We like our Popupgizmos bunk end covers too. They really help keep the hot air out. The best part about them is they keep the bunk end canvas clean. Even if it isn't hot out we still put them on.
Jacqui
Quote from: SkipPWhy camper manufacturers don't find a way to use this concept on their pop-ups and hybrids, I have no clue.
Exactly what I've always wondered. Maybe because the big money is in the larger campers so bunkends aren't a priority in the marketing department?
Quote from: SkipPWhy camper manufacturers don't find a way to use this concept on their pop-ups and hybrids, I have no clue.
I think the main reason they don't add this at the factory is the manufacturer dosn't know how you are going to use the pop up. A reflective bunkend cover would probably be great for someone who camps in So Cal or Arizona all the time, but when I do fall camping in the mountains, I want the bunkends as warm as possible.
Quote from: Tim5055I think the main reason they don't add this at the factory is the manufacturer dosn't know how you are going to use the pop up. A reflective bunkend cover would probably be great for someone who camps in So Cal or Arizona all the time, but when I do fall camping in the mountains, I want the bunkends as warm as possible.
Good point Tim. My thinking is that at "sleep time" (after the fire has gone out and/or the drinks are gone), the covers will be either benifical or a non-issue. During the day, even when it's not hot outside, the bunk-ends can get fairly warm from the radiant heat... too much so for us. I'd rather see reflective bunk-ends than saunas. Sure makes the A/C work a lot less.
What's not fair is that you are now in Georgia... who's mountains are home to some of the finest fall camping anywhere!;)
Quote from: Tim5055but when I do fall camping in the mountains, I want the bunkends as warm as possible.
Fall??? I just got back from 3 days of high temps of 56 degrees. Last night it was down to 39.
You see, out here when it gets hot, we just go up higher, It was 95 at my house today, And we were at 10,300 feet, even turned the furnace on.
Quote from: Tim5055I think the main reason they don't add this at the factory is the manufacturer dosn't know how you are going to use the pop up. A reflective bunkend cover would probably be great for someone who camps in So Cal or Arizona all the time, but when I do fall camping in the mountains, I want the bunkends as warm as possible.
I guess what I'm thinking is more of a custom fitted option or a roll up/down type of thing that is fitted to the body near the main compartment.
You are right about camping in those cold temps. Especially with a good breeze blowing that air right through those bunkends! Brrr!
Everyone else ahs chimed in...but what the heck.....we love ours too! We have had them in strong winds, terribly hot days and under trees catching lots of sap. Super product that we would purchase again.
Funny this thread should still be going on, I just got my new solar covers out of the mailbox :D
We never leave home without them. :)
Tim, in fall/winter camping, we turn them over so that the silver reflective material is face down on the bunk--helps keep the warmth in. Others have also put them under the bunk end mattresses silver side down to keep ground chill out.
Buy the solar blankets. You find them in Walmart or any place that sells camping supplies. They are only abou $2.00 a piece and we use them in Florida and it made a big difference.
Mike and Lisa
An FYI, the "shiny" side always go toward the heat. that way it's reflected back. In the summer shiny side out and in the winter shiny side toward the trailer or if under the mattress, shiny side toward you to reflect any radiation back into the mattress.
Also watch the "cheapo" emergency blankets. The are nothing but a layer ob mylar coated with vacuum deposited aluminum to make them shiny and reflective. While they work OK, having the aluminum not being covered with a second layer of mylar can lead to the aluminum rubbing off on the trailer fabric. It causes black marks that are impossible to remove.
Quote from: mike4947or if under the mattress, shiny side toward you to reflect any radiation back into the mattress.
Yep--Mike's right. I misspoke on that one :)
[indent]Quote: Originally Posted by mike4947
or if under the mattress, shiny side toward you to reflect any radiation back into the mattress.
[/indent]Yep--Mike's right. I misspoke on that one :)
OK--I let this go twice, but now I have to speak up.
It doesn't matter which side goes up or down under the mattress. There is no reflective quality on the shiny side when place between plywood and foam, only the insulating quality of the space blanket material.
Same thing when the shiny side is place DOWN on the canvas in the winter. The shiny side does not reflect heat into the canvas...the insulation prevents heat from escaping through the canvas. Do I dare say, "It really doesn't matter in the winter which side goes up?" I'll say, "It doesn't matter at night which side goes up." It may matter on a sunny day because the blue side MAY absorb warmth from the sun, which the sunny side may reflect.
OK...Mrs. Neff, Science Whiz, what's your theorum and can you back it up with repeatable scientific proof?
gsm x2
Well the little direction sheet that comes with the emergency blankets say to put the shiny side toward you to reflect any radiated heat. Yes there is an insulating value from material (very slight...5 mills of mylar and 1 mil of aluminum have an R value of apx .05 ) and the air layer trapped between the canvas and the blanket when used on the roof. but underneath the mattress any value will be from reflected heat. Heat like light can be reflected. The are just different parts of the spectrum.