Spring is coming and I have some decisions to make and the only Honest Answers I can trust are from you guys. So here goes.
I m planning to step up from just a plain old canopy on my Coleman Seapine (w/ABS roof). The Black Flies and Skeeters were just too much for DW last year (she swells up bad from bites) and cut into the fun.
Option #1 is to move up to a Canopy with a Screen Room. (see below)
Option #2 is to go all the way to an AAR. (see below)
Option #3 is to bag the on PU idea and just buy a nice Pah Que screenroom. I really like this screenroom but the seperate " footprint" is not available on all campsites and it s added luggage to pack and drag around.
I know from past threads that the AAR sounds like a PIA and I m not sure if we really need to go that far as we are usually fair weather campers for the most part. But I m still considering this option.
The Screenroom will serve our need to keep the critters away. My question here would be is this set up as big a PIA as the AAR?
Both items seem quite pricey from Coleman. I bet you all know some better resources for better prices.
I m looking at other brand set-ups but can t seem to determine if they will mount into the existing roof track I already have. I like what I see but don t really want to mess with the ABS too much.
Soooo, suggest away.
As a side note..... When I make the upgrade I ll be left with my old basic canopy. Nothing really wrong with it. I have that BIG window on the street side (which I love), but it goes Solar when the sun hits it and rain is a problem too. I had considered having a 2nd roof track mounted on that side and using the extra canopy on that side for added protection from sun & rain. Also great place to store bikes, etc. Anybody ever done this? Cheaper than an aftermarket sun canopy and more coverage too.
Can t wait to hear from you all.
MTNDAVEMTNDAVE,
QuoteThe Screenroom will serve our need to keep the critters away. My question here would be is this set up as big a PIA as the AAR?
Well I have found that ANYTHING additional is a pain. I do know that on my Sedona I had an AAR and found out it was such a pain we hardly ever use it . When we did we did not set it up right. Setting one one up on just a weekend takes more time then I would like. Long stays it is nice.
I have bought a screen room from these people and found it light and affordable.
http://www.avidoutdoors.com/avidoutdoorsaw/shelters.html
We use the room over the picnic table. Once again it is an additional pain but once it is up it works out nice. [:D] Remember some are more a PIA then others.
MTNDAVEWe ve got a Coleman AAR and have not set it up camping yet- only at home. Our thought is that we will use it on longer trips. It can be a little tricky to set up at first, but it didn t seem too bad. We ll see how it goes when we re on a trip.
We purchased a Hillary hexagon screenroom last year from Sears. Since it has an external frame, it sets up in about 5 minutes- very easy. We put this over the picnic table. The shape can be a problem, if you are on a small site. It folds down well and doesn t take up much space, but we have a camper with a storage trunk so " not much room" is relative.
We had a Sedona and I wanted a screen room/AAR for it, but the canopy seemed too small and it didn t look like we would have a lot of room in there when it was up. Then again, we have 2 kids and the dog, so room is also relative.
Someone on this board had a phone number to a dealer (I think he was even in PA) that sells the Coleman screen rooms at a reasonable price. I like having the other screenroom as well. We ve used it at home for picnics, etc.
You ll get some good responses here. Good luck![:)]
MTNDAVEI am wondering as well...
If you don t have bugs? Do you still want it?
I could see protecting things from the Rain and breeze if it s cool...
Do you feel boxed in... etc...
Have been looking at the bunk " skirts" that turn bunk into a mini shed. A great place to hide tings like kids toys, bikes, etc... so the site doesn t look so messy and keeps them out of the sun/rain... Anyone try these yet?
MTNDAVEWe have the Coleman one-piece screen room (the AAR is in multiple pieces and is easier to manage). We only use it when we will be set up for at least a week AND when there are biting or annying bugs. It s a nuicance to set up, and a BIG nuisance to take down and put away.
Austin
MTNDAVEWe have an AAR that came with our Jayco, it can either be just a screen room or an enclosed room. Out of 13 trips last year, we didn t use it 3 times! We found it to be worth it s weight in gold. It doesn t eliminate squeeters but does reduce the little pests.
MTNDAVEI have an E-Z-up screened room, it is easy with 2 people, one to hold the string. the other to snap the joints. the screened room does take up a lot of space on a site, if it is well treed, then it may not fit. We only use it in buggy areas, it is not good for rain because of the slop of the side walls.
I just ordered a Spartan Canopy from Kmart, 10 x10 and free shipping, it is a fold up one.
I really like the screened room when we are near the beaches, It fits on top of my dinette or under it, we leave it at home when we know we will not be able to use it or do not need it. It does not weigh too much, I can handle it myself, if I have a tree that I can hang the string on.
some of the canopys have the screening that can be attached, I will have to check out my Spartan when I get it, Kmart shows related items for this, but not the Spartan brand...
MTNDAVEI believe that the AAR is one of the best additions for the dollar you can add to your PU set-up. I ve seen how others feel that they are a PITA to set-up, but my experience is that the set-up is not that bad at all. After setting the AAR or screen room up a couple of times it shouldn t take more than about 10 minutes or so to set-up. I will be looking to buy an AAR for my Rockwood at the RV show in a couple of weeks because of our experiences in using an AAR on our Jayco. After some practice, a screen room or AAR (just a screen-room with privacy panels) on the Jayco could be set-up in about 10 minutes. It can be done by one person, but it is so much easier to set-up with two people. I believe that the Jayco awning is probably one of the more difficult awnings to set-up, but again... after practice we got the hang of setting the awning and AAR up. The new Rockwood has a Carefree of Colorado awning that is awesome in its design and ease of set-up.
On the Jayco, the AAR came in two pieces. There was a solid piece that included three walls. Each of the end walls had a sleeve for the end awning poles to go in. The awning poles went from the corner (ground pole) to the PU roof top via a spring loaded two-piece pole. This was set-up on both sides. The front (outside wall of the awning) was connected using velcro. The other piece was a skirt that covered the camper from the frame to the ground and connected using snaps. It really wasn t a bad set-up, but the Jayco awning pole design was probably not the best.
On the Rockwood, the Carefree of Colorado awning is really much easier to set-up. After unzipping the awning storage bag, the awning unrolls and all the poles are permanently connected to the end of the awning and a breeze to set-up. The Screen-room or AAR looks like it connects using a zipper.... I haven t found out yet, but it looks like that is how it is set-up by looking at the awning. If the AAR is as easy to set-up as the awning, I ll cut my set-up time in half with the Rockwood. I m sure that the Coleman design is probably well thoght out and hopefully better than the Jayco design.....
I would suggest if you make this purchase that you consider that a screen-room will reduce the bugs, but an AAR will do this plus give you some privacy and extra room that can be heated (we do) to reduce the chill of a spring or fall night, it can also protect you more from rain, protect you from a glaring sun, wind, or a view of the Griswolds camping next door. You can also put your porta-pottie in the AAR for those trips in the middle of the night. You can t do that in a screen room. To me, it is well worth the " trouble" of setting it up.
Another thing you mentioned is that you might use your PU canopy on the other side of your camper. The AAR s and screen-rooms only include the walls and not the canopy. They connect to or are set-up right against your canopy, but they do not replace it. If you have any questions, send me an e-mail.
MTNDAVEIMO, It s not really the set-up that is a PITA.
It s the taking it down! These panels are huge, or even all one piece (MINE is) Just think about..........after it s been raining, or full of morning dew.
If it s been raining then it s probably splashed with mud.
Ok, So how do you get it down and rolled up, and reasonably clean so the trailer or TV doesnt get it all?
I ve tried wiping it down before I take-it off. But haven t found a way to fold/roll it without laying it right back in the wet ground.
So I usually find the driest spot I can, lay it out and roll and wipe at the same time.
And most the time I have to do it again at home???
Remember mine is one piece so I have to find clean spot to lay it out, that is about 8 x 26 . Good Luck![: (]
I did this maybe 4 times, and now I finally just don t even bother to haul it anymore.
Taking down a wet tent was alot easier, at least I had a ground cloth to work on, then the ground cloth was the only dirty/wet thing. And I could just toss that in a garbage bag, and replace it, if it became moldy.
MTNDAVEI have not had any problems taking it down. We usually fold the AAR using the picnic table. The ground works well too as long as it is either grassy or covered in pinestraw or leaves. The little bit that sticks to the AAR can be shaken off either while folding or when setting it up the next time.
Joe Gleason
QuoteORIGINAL: Joe Gleason
I am wondering as well...
If you don t have bugs? Do you still want it?
I could see protecting things from the Rain and breeze if it s cool...
Do you feel boxed in... etc...
Have been looking at the bunk " skirts" that turn bunk into a mini shed. A great place to hide tings like kids toys, bikes, etc... so the site doesn t look so messy and keeps them out of the sun/rain... Anyone try these yet?
We use ours on all of our longer trips, even if we don t have bugs. It gives you privacy and more living space. We don t use it on short trips unless the bugs or weather are bad. I am glad I have it.[:)]
MTNDAVEWe have the Jayco one piece AAR and use it most every time we go camping. The very few times we haven t used it was because of site restrictions.....too narrow or too steep! Ours was somewhat pricey but find that it was a good investment. If given a choice between the screen room and AAR, we would definitely go for the AAR because of privacy panels. We do all cooking outside and don t have to worry about the weather or bugs. It is a pain to deal with when it s wet because you have to dry it out after returning home but, again we find that it is worth the trouble. We never considered a separate tent house because it wouldn t be attached to the camper, so everything would have to be carried back and forth. If the weather isn t cooperating, we have a free standing table to set up in the AAR and can eat inside without having to eat off our laps inside the camper (our dinette is so small it s pretty much useless). We also put the porta-potty in the AAR if we aren t alone. The set up and take down gets easier after a few times using it.
MTNDAVEI find the AAR is definitely worth it! You can sit out in a comfy chair and not be eaten alive, or cook out there, etc. On our Palamino it only took 10-15 min. to set up and just as quick to take down. We d just fold it up and put it away. If it rained we d fold it up and put it in a big bag and then lay out when we got home. It s not really a hassle at all when you consider how nice it is to enjoy while you are camping.
MTNDAVEGrowing up camping in a PU my parents always had an AAR & it was great. I realized after owning my own PU that their s was a custom made job - extra large. My problem with the AARs out there is that they are just too small. We have a separate screenroom. Sometimes we don t put it up, sometimes it is a hassle. But it can be a godsend when it s too buggy out! I m seriously considering that new Paha Que screenroom. Boy it looks nice with the sides. The sides of our AAR were great when I was a kid, kept the rain out and made it a comfortable place to be.
Good luck in figuring out the best decision.
Sharon
MTNDAVEWe use our AAR for every outing except single night stays. It adds 5 minutes to the setup time but gives us all the benefits stated by Gamecock. We keep the porta potti in it along with our chairs and a table. Ours didn t have vinyl windows, so I added them, using velcro and binding clips, so we can sit out in all types of weather.
Having the AAR attached to the awning is the best. Separate rooms require you to open your door to the bugs, walk through the bugs to the room, open the room door, enter and close the door (with the bugs entering the popup and room faster than a vegetable leaving my mouth).
AAR s and separate rooms take the same amount of effort for setup and packing. For packing, if it s going to be raining on departure day, I set up a tarp over the picnic table when we arrive; if not, I skip it. When preparing to pack, I put a tarp on top of the picnic table & legs, using it to keep the wood splinters from entering the mesh. (On the ground, the mesh picks up twigs, pieces of everything and dirt. As the mesh is so fine, it s difficult to clean.) Our one piece AAR is then dropped on the dry, non-dirt/splinter table top, folded and rolled up.
If it s raining, I can also put stuff for the van on the table (under the tarp), back the van under it and load everything in without getting wet.
MTNDAVEWe have set up our a couple of times. It is confusing the first time without instructions (and setting up in rain). We have decided that we would use our AAR more often.
MTNDAVEActually, I was looking at the original question.... I answered the first part, and that is that I WOULD recommend an AAR or screenroom. The other thing that I didn t really talk about is that we use an AAR as well as a stand-alone dining canopy that we use to set-up a separate camp kitchen. The dining canopy we use is a Coleman gazebo style. When we camp, we usually bring the kitchen (sink) and usually two or three other camping families, so we usually pack it all and strech out.
MTNDAVEWe haven t had much of a problem with set-up or take-down, and really enjoy ours especially when it s rainy or when the bugs are bad.
One thing to consider in getting a free standing screened-in canopy is if you camp in very windy places (Texas and Oklahoma spring immediately to mind! [&:]), it s hard to keep it from blowing over. I have seen many a canopy and screened room fall over at soccer games, lol!
Also, if it is free standing, it won t help keep bugs out of the PU.
Of course, since set-up is probably a bit easier with the free standing, it might be worth it - especially for short trips, but for long trips I won t give up my AAR! [:)]
MTNDAVEWell, here is my 2 cents. We had a add a room attached to the canopy last year. We probably put up the add a room only when we camped for 3 days or more. BUT, WE LOVE IT!
It gives us a great " dry area" in front of the door. A good place to keep the cooler, table that we put misc. stuff on, shoes, etc. It lets the sun in very nicely when the weather is good, and it give us a lot of extra dry space when the weather is bad. It takes about 20 minutes extra to add it on, and about 20 minutes extra to take it down, brush it off, and fold and pack it up. We are thrilled to have the add a room and would not trade it.
MTNDAVEWe are thinking about getting an AAR but really don t know about going about it. Like do you have to take the popup to a dealer? My husband saw them in JC Whitney s and he asked me about that.
Can we do that or does a dealer have to install it or something.
MTNDAVEFor MaryBeth. This is really A DIY project. Dealers if they will do it usually charge upwards of a $100 for instalation and I ve found (had 2 installed by dealers both show models) they do a lousy job of it.
For those looking out there my thoughts.
One piece BAD, 3 piece GOOD.
Spend the extra money and get one with both privacy (opaque) flaps and clear vinyl flaps. If you don t need the privacy the clear panels give a much more open feel when it just the cold or wind you want to keep out.
We use a ground cloth at least a foot in all directions larger than the AAR. Keeps the mud splashes from the rain off the canvas and we have a rug for inside to keep our feet dry if any water wicks in ontop of the ground cloth.
As we camp mostly in the Adirondacks in upstate NY (home of theblack fly) during late May to early July the room goes with us even for weekends. Sitting in front of the fire on bad fly days & nights for a lot of folks means bringing a stand alone screen room to set up in front of the fire. [:D] and you should see the creative patching arrangements on the side closest to the firepit. IMO if they made a lightweight one with a metal roof they be all the rage during fly season as folks would put them over the fire pit.[:D]
mike4947Thanks, for once I guess my husband was right - he doesn t want to go thru a dealer.
I remember when I was a kid we went to the Catskills and these flies would bite and they hurt. I remember being in the pool and always staying underwater because as soon as I got out of the water, they d bite. Are these the same flies? They were horrible!
Again, thanks for the advice!
mike4947Well, I asked for it and I m getting the answeres, as I had expected. Thank You
BLACK FLIES !!!!!!! This is why the Quest for answers. Last year we were at the PA Grand Canyon and got DEVOURED by Black Flies. Bit right thru the clothing. Them buggers got teeth. BUMMER.....
I see by the responses that the majority favor the use of the AAR/Screenroom and I tend to be leaning the same. Set up, take down and storage is not an issuse.
Problem is that The $$$$ way out weigh the number of times we will actually put in use. Unless someone has a low cost source.
We usually do not camp too far into the really cold weather so a Heavy Duty AAR isn t a high priority for us.
Since I already have a perfectly good Canopy, I am considering purchasing a bulk roll of No-See-Um, Velcro and fabricating my own Screen room (I already have a free standing screen tent). Can t be too hard to do. Maybe if this is successful I may add some weather flaps.
MTNDAVEMTNDave, If you do make it yourself - let us know how it goes. DH and I keep waffling back and forth about getting one or just getting a separate screen room so we can use it camping and in our yard.
Oh, and thanks for posting the question! Ya beat me to it.[:)]
mike4947Mark did you see the room MarkT had on their PU at Hickory Run last October? They made their own room with clear vinyl windows. They only had their side pieces on, not the front panel.[:D]
mike4947Well,
I guess I ll find out how well they work. . . I bought a Coleman AAR on the way to work today (don t tell my wife!).
Just so you know, its all your fault. This thread was the final straw. At least thats what I ll tell my wife when she figures it out[8D]
I looked at the AAR from carefree of Colorado ($80 less), but I have heard that the Coleman fits better, I guess its worth the extra $.
Jim Barbour
2002 Coleman Cottonwood (plus high dollar AAR)
Dallas, GA
p.s. $395 sure seems like a lot of money for 20 lbs of canvas and screen!
MTNDAVEOur AAR was very inexpensive. While we were deciding between Coleman and Starcraft, Coleman had their screenroom on sale for $50 if you buy a camper. I told the Starcraft dealer that and he said he would match it. Imagine our surprise when we got home and opened the bag to find an Add a Room instead of a screen room!!! Dealer also installed the fixtures to hook it up with, while he replaced the decals which were peeling off from being in the weather (under warranty as a new camper) - he insisted on doing that. This was one great dealer!
mike4947Miss-Teri
Some camper brands (like Coleman and Jayco) sell either a screen-room OR a screen-room with privacy flaps (or an Add a Room). Other dealers just sell Add a Rooms. Reguardless, I know you will be happy with having an AAR. I hope to be making this purchase next weekend for my upgrade Rockwood (Feb 14 to 16) when the RV Show is here in Columbia, SC.
mike4947I know that the AARs are expensive, but in my opinion (only if you ask after it s all set up, and not during set up) is that it s worth every dollar. We usually use ours as the kitchen, and that frees the area around the stove and sink for other uses. Like a place to set the television, haha. We put a folding table, and the outside stove, or coleman stove, along with a large dish drainer that holds all the dishes that we most often use. A rubbermaid tote with dry goods, and the cooler all fit with plenty of room to spare for a few other things. DH talks to it in a loud voice, using words that I know he didn t learn from his mother, but once we get it up, he says " boy, am I glad we got this thing!"
T
[;)]
mike4947We bought the screen room from Paha Que last year and have really enjoyed it.
It sets up very easily and quickly. Large enough for the picnic table and another small table if necessary. Great for getting away from the bugs yet still see what is going on around you. I would highly recomend it, well worth the money. We did miss out on the member discount.
MTNDAVEWe have a very inexpensive screen room that we purchased when we were still tent camping. Don t always use it but it s very handy when needed. Not real difficult to set up for two people. Just takes a little practice. When we do use it, it s almost always set up over the picnic table. Unit is very light and stores easily in the PU.
DW had talked about getting rid of it a few times but I said that as long as we didn t need the room there was no need to do that. On our trip to Arkansas last fall she was very happy we had it with all the rain we had.
Hope this helps you make your decision. Happy Camping!