I just bought some "high wind" bunkend covers and was eager to try them out. This weekend I raised the camper in my shop and installed the covers like the directions say to. I then slowly pulled the camper out of the shop and into the wind. I only got the front half of the camper out of the shop before the front cover took off. Maybe lasted 3 seconds!!! So, I backed back into the shop and reinstalled it. I had several spring clamps in my shop, so I loaded it down with 7 clamps on each side and 3 on the end. slowly pulled the camper out of the shop and this time the cover made it about 10 seconds before it came off. Wind speed yesterday was 15-25, some gust over 30, which is more than a breeze, but not what I would consider "high wind" yet here in Kansas. 30mph is more common than 5-10mph here.
Anyways, the directions say the top is to be held in place by the bunkend pinching the cover between it and the hard top. The only place where it pinches is in the very middle where the shepherds hook is. The rest of the top is not held in place by anything. Any suggestions on how to keep these little buggers in place? I think they will work as advertised if I can get them to stay on.
Did you install it properly? Was the rear edge tucked underneath the roof? Doesn't the roof edge make contact with the tenting on a Jayco, (that's where it's supposed to "pinch")? I use two clips on each side at the corners under the roof edge. This keeps the leading edge taught securely underneath the roof at all times.
I have the standard Gizmos. With about five clips on each side, (and the covers tucked and rolled under the tent seams), they have been through beach front nearly-gale force winds.
Chances are that there is ONE spot where the wind is getting in under the cover. Thats all it takes! Once the wind grabs it, it becomes a sail. Hopefully the clips replease or it tears itself before damaging the tenting, (although I have never heard of Gizmo caused wind damage).
Yes, I have it tucked about 2"-3" under the top of the bunkend. The problem is the canvas does not get "pinched" when I raise the ends. I need some way to attach the covers at the top up under the camper top. I got pretty frustrated and gave up after the 2nd try. I will get it back out this week adn try it again.
I assume that these are Popup Gizmos. If so, and you are still having problems, contact the company. They have excellent customer service, and will undoubtedly respond quickly.
30MPH is a lot of wind. Take into consideration that the wind was compressed as it passes by a building and wind speeds can easily double.
We beach camp a lot and the wind can get up pretty good. We used to loose our covers quite often. I found the clamp system to be un-attractive and inadequate for us. We solved this by sewing the covers onto the bunk end tops.
We used a sewing awl and pulled waxed twine through the binding on the edges of the PU cover and the edges of the Gizmo cover. We just made a single pass, then tied the stitch around the outside of the binding with a square knot.
The covers have been on for a year now. We take them off to wash the camper, then line up the holes and pull & tie a new stitch through.
There is no problem with leaking because the stitch goes through the binding and not the top or sides. We've been through some pretty strong winds and haven't had them blow off.
The down side is, if we were to encounter very strong winds, the Gizmo covers may tear. When using the clamps, the clamps pop off and allow the cover to come off without tearing. There isn't much chance of damaging the binding of the PU because it is 10x as strong as the Gizmo. The Gizmo would definitely fail 1st.
bountyhunter
What I did on my covers was install Velcro to the top edge and up under the inside of the roof. the Velcro holds the tops in place every well, they stay in place all the time even during closing up the PU. but at the same time can be removed if need be very easily. You can view my mod to the covers down below in my mods page.
good luck
My tenting is taught enough on my Niagara to pinch the gizmos between the tenting and the roof's edge. The end with the cords, overlaps the bunkend somewhat, (about an inch) and I kinda use the cords to 'tie down' the overhang - using the under the bunk hooks. And I've got the clips on the sides. It took me a few tries to get the overhang secure enough that the wind couldn't get under it.
I put the gizmos on before I raise the roof on the PUP, and do the clamping as I'm raising the roof (can't really describe as while I am doing this, I'm also installing my add-a-room).
We just returned from our first trip of the year, and our first time using our new Pop up gizmos. We were camped on Emigrant Lake near Ashland, Oregon. The wind was blowing quite hard off the lake much of the time and we had no problems.
I did follow the advice of others on this site and bought extra clips from Home Depot. Gizmo's clips aren't as strong as those from HD. We used 7 or 8 per side just to be safe. Temperatures dropped into the 20s at night, so we were glad for the extra warmth.
We also have the Gizmos and installed velcro under the top of popup, and on the gizmos. Also use the clips, and have never had them blow off.
I like the idea of extra clips, the ones I have in my shop are too big for the sides. I did put them on the ends around the bunkend frames and they seemed to work good there. Velcro may be the way for me on the top though since I can not pinch the material with my camper top.
whats a bunkend cover ?
Quote from: Smoreswhats a bunkend cover ?
I'm with smores. What is a bunkend cover? I just have regular tenting and have been out in 30mph weather and had no problems. Was I just luck I wasn't sleeping under the stars?
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