Are the bunkend covers (Gizmos) used for keeping heat in or out? Are they used in the summer or winter?
Where do you purchase them or the material? Can you make them yourself?
I'd like to find something I can use to keep the bunk ends warmer in the winter and something to keep them cooler in the summer.
Quote from: GracyAre the bunkend covers (Gizmos) used for keeping heat in or out? Are they used in the summer or winter?
Where do you purchase them or the material? Can you make them yourself?
I'd like to find something I can use to keep the bunk ends warmer in the winter and something to keep them cooler in the summer.
I have seen where people make them. I am too lazy and bought mine from Gizmo and I am very happy with them- I got the ones that are for high wind and they work. I bought mine on the area of his website that was "Garage Sale" They fit fine. I do use mine both ways- I have used them in the summer and it does make a difference in the trailer- I do not have a air conditioner. In the winter it helps with moisture in the trailer and helps keep it warmer. It also helps keep the end bunk canvas clean. I am glad that I made the purchase. :)
Quote from: miss kathyI have seen where people make them. I am too lazy and bought mine from Gizmo and I am very happy with them- I got the ones that are for high wind and they work. I bought mine on the area of his website that was "Garage Sale" They fit fine. I do use mine both ways- I have used them in the summer and it does make a difference in the trailer- I do not have a air conditioner. In the winter it helps with moisture in the trailer and helps keep it warmer. It also helps keep the end bunk canvas clean. I am glad that I made the purchase. :)
you can use them for both. Shiny side out reflects heat off the trailer, silver side down keeps heat in trailer.
You can also do reflextix isn the windows, which I haven't done yet but want to
Where do you purchase them or the material?
PUG's you can order from the store here I believe, and the window inserts with Reflectix, you have to make yourself.
Quote from: dkutzPUG's you can order from the store here I believe, and the window inserts with Reflectix, you have to make yourself.
Is that the same stuff they use for regular car window covers?
Here you go Popup Gizmos (http://www.popupgizmos.com/) also helps to keep the bunkends top clean from tree sap or bird droppings
Quote from: RecumbentmanHere you go Popup Gizmos also helps to keep the bunkends top clean from tree sap or bird droppings
Thanks... those are $$$....... I wonder if there are any cheaper options? I really mainly want them for the winter season........ but summer would be nice too.
Quote from: GracyThanks... those are $$$....... I wonder if there are any cheaper options? I really mainly want them for the winter season........ but summer would be nice too.
do a SEARCH. ;)
http://www.arveeclub.com/showthread.php?t=64367&referrerid=5343 I believe you can use "survival" type blankets sold at outdoor stores. I believe that is what we have on our PUP from the PO
Space Brand All Weather Blanket (http://www.bestglide.com/All_Weather_Blanket_Info.html)
Same material at gizmos, 5' x 7' with a grommet in each corner :)
Easy to sew and cut, I sewed on a couple of pieces of Velcro to keep in place until the shepard pole goes in, the 'blanket' stay put between the tent and roof, I tie off the other 2 corners.
If you don't have shade, they are must in the summer.
Some help in the winter.
I use a tarp that I bought at Home Depot Brown on one side Silver on the other. I have 2 clamps on the ends and if you tuck the tarp between the roof and canvas it gets a snug fit. Then I use small a clamps to attach it to the canvas.
I found this by accident, had a spot in the sun middle of the summer and the bunks were very hot. Temps dropped about 20 degrees almost instantly. I have always planned on getting the gizmos as the look nicer but the tarp works.
I'm part of the "I made my own" crowd. Found a seller on ebay selling the olive drab/silver ones that the military buys.
(http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x242/austinado16/Casualtyblanketdetailemail.jpg)
Sewed 2 together to cover the big front bunk (queen size bed), and 1 plus a section from another did the rear bunk (full size bed).
(http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x242/austinado16/Casualtyblanketinstalledresized.jpg)
I use those large black "binder" clamps that you buy at an office supply store, and clamp the covers to the seam at the top of the bunk.
They work great.
Re: your question about the "Reflectix" product. Orchard Supply Hardware sells it, and so does Home Deep Hole. It's 2 layers of bubble wrap, with silver mylar on both outside faces. It's Class A fire rated and something like R-9 for only being 1/4" thick. You cut it with scissors to fit into the bunk windows, and then zip up the canvas window cover with the Reflectix inside.
Quote from: dkutzdo a SEARCH. ;) http://www.arveeclub.com/showthread.php?t=64367&referrerid=5343
I believe you can use "survival" type blankets sold at outdoor stores. I believe that is what we have on our PUP from the PO
So I can just buy a few of those survival blankets and clamp them around the bunks??? Those can be used like that over and over again.... right?
Quote from: GracySo I can just buy a few of those survival blankets and clamp them around the bunks??? Those can be used like that over and over again.... right?
Yes, that simple. not nesecarry to cover the entire bunk end roof, the more the better. Try a couple, you'll like the help in the sun. If the 5'x7' are not big enough, sew add material from another!
install tips!one blanket fits perfectly on you double bed roof!
I just use the grommets and tie off the loose end to under the bunks, others clamp.
Quote from: GracySo I can just buy a few of those survival blankets and clamp them around the bunks??? Those can be used like that over and over again.... right?
Gracy, I bought the survival blankets from Wal-mart for about $3.00 each. I have a kingsize bed on one end and a double on the other so I think I bought 3 for the king and 2 for the double. I also took some reflective duct tape also purchased at Wal-mart for about $4.00 a roll and I then cut my blankets to fit my bunkends and taped them together with the tape. I then secure the blankets to the top of my bunkends with heavy duty cloths pens.
I only use them in the summer to keep the sun from heating up the inside of the pup. They work great. I will warn you though, some of the reflective material can come off of the blanket and get on the vinyl of your bunkend. But that hasn't caused me any problems. I also find that I need to replace the blankets once a year, but for $15 or so it's worth it.
The other advantage is that the blankets can be folded up, placed in a ziplock bag and stored in a cabinet. They don't take up much room at all and I'm all about that.
CajunCamper
Quote from: CajunCamperGracy, I bought the survival blankets from Wal-mart for about $3.00 each. I have a kingsize bed on one end and a double on the other so I think I bought 3 for the king and 2 for the double. I also took some reflective duct tape also purchased at Wal-mart for about $4.00 a roll and I then cut my blankets to fit my bunkends and taped them together with the tape. I then secure the blankets to the top of my bunkends with heavy duty cloths pens.
I only use them in the summer to keep the sun from heating up the inside of the pup. They work great. I will warn you though, some of the reflective material can come off of the blanket and get on the vinyl of your bunkend. But that hasn't caused me any problems. I also find that I need to replace the blankets once a year, but for $15 or so it's worth it.
The other advantage is that the blankets can be folded up, placed in a ziplock bag and stored in a cabinet. They don't take up much room at all and I'm all about that.
CajunCamper
Awesome tip! Thanks :)
Gracy - I bought the Popup Gizmos a couple years ago and love them. I've got king beds on both ends and without the gizmos the bunks were just too hot :yikes: to be in during the summer. They helped keep the bunks about 20 deg cooler than without them. Sure, they cost a bit, but it was worth it for me. BTW, I keep them attached even when I pop down the PUP. I haven't had any trouble with them at all. I asked the guy at Popup Gizmos about leaving them in place when I pop down and he said it was perfectly OK. :# If I had the time and was able to get the materials here locally (fat chance of that here in the desert boonies) I might have tried to make them out of military surplus survival blankets since they're more robust and should last longer than the standard survival blankets you can get from Wally-world. Just my thoughts, though.
Good luck and happy camping.
Steve
These covers sound very interesting. On our first and so far only, trip in the PU we darn near crawled under each others skin we were so cold at night. The outside temperature was in the low 50's but it seemed colder inside than out. Would these covers help that? Is it a common thing for the bunk ends to be so cold? We slept on a thick air mattress to avoid the cold from below and had two very nice quilts on top. When we go camping this weekend DH is bringing along an electric blanket, sleeping bags, quilts and the two dogs! :eyecrazy: bikerHen
Here is a shot of ours y'all.
(http://inlinethumb27.webshots.com/42138/2637607630101187768S500x500Q85.jpg)
Low 50's is cold, don't kid yourself!
It would help somewhat to do as in the photo above: Reflectix Insulation panels in the bunk windows, with the windows zipped closed, and then turn the "blanket" on the roof so that the foil is facing down.
You guys would like a 2" thick memory foam mattress topper placed on top of your existing bunk foam mattress, then go with normal flannel sheets and a couple heavy blankets. Or in leiu of blankets, do a double sleeping bag, or left and right bags that zip together.
I installed a furnace in our camper, and also an Olympian Wave 6 Catalytic Heater, and we use one, or the other on cold nights. The Wave 6 is fantastic.....silent, and doesn't use the camper battery or need electricity of any kind. We stay toasty warm.
Quote from: austinado16then turn the "blanket" on the roof so that the foil is facing down.
How does that help? Should you turn it over in day and again at night?
Reflective insulation must have an air gap on both sides in order to function correctly. misconception
That's great and everything, but when you build a house, the foil side of the insulation is always faced toward the inside, and then right up against that, you place the sheet rock, or paneling, or whatever wall board you use. So there is no air gap between it, and the interior space.
Does this foil faced product claim radiant properties? Does it have a name/maker/link?
Every radiant barrier install specs call for air space.
Flipping suggest the reflective property is better than the low E property (they are one in the same!), do people flip low E windows?
Isn't the cover on insulation a vapor barrier.
Quote from: aw738Isn't the cover on insulation a vapor barrier.
Probably, but it's foil too, so that's what got me thinking. If you put it up in your ceiling, between the joists, it goes foil side down facing the living space. If you put it in the floor between the joists, you give it a 2" gap and foil side facing upward toward the living space.
Went into Home DeepPockets as Austinado likes to refer to it for good reason. Was looking at Relectix material for bunk windows and under the beds as well. I saw that there was 4ft x 8ft sheets of Reflectix and also rolls of it 4ft wide by 25 ft long. The sheets were about $12.00 for 1/2 inch thick, 4 x 8 sheets and $42.00 for the long roll of the stuff. Which should I use if I were to go with this material? I kinda like the roll for the convenience aspect but it seems kinda pricey.
Thoughts please.
Also am considering BEGizmo's
Thanks,
John
Run over to Ochard Supply and you can buy it off their different size rolls, and get just as much as you actually need. (I try to avoid the Home Deep Hole)
I guess how much you need depends on how you're going to use it.
If you were going to camp in the cool/cold then you'd probably want enough Reflectix to do all the windows......zipping it up into the windows. You can use that aluminum tape that they sell to join pieces together if you need wider/longer.
If you only want it for sun protection, then maybe you only want enough to do one side of the camper? Zipping it up into the sun exposed windows?
I think you'll like the reflective "blankets" on the bunk roofs, whether you guys go with PopUpGizmos, or make your own. Makes a big difference.
hello all, new to the site(well, actually, just got a log on) been using the site for a few years, just never registered. I normally camp in the National Forest in PA for hunting season, where the temps are in the low teens during deer season. One thing we learned is to use propane lanterns in the camper, they produce alot of extra heat. have stayed pretty warm but love the idea of the Gizmos and relex it. just wanted to throw in a few cents.
john
Hey, welcome John. Glad you finally joined the fray!
I'm not sure a couple of lanterns could keep up with the heat loss that occurs through the canvas in a pop-up. I remember camping as a kid in a pickup truck camper, and my folks using the dual mantle propane lantern on the wall to heat, but that was wood paneled interior, insulation, and aluminum skin on the outside.
Quote from: austinado16Hey, welcome John. Glad you finally joined the fray!
I'm not sure a couple of lanterns could keep up with the heat loss that occurs through the canvas in a pop-up. I remember camping as a kid in a pickup truck camper, and my folks using the dual mantle propane lantern on the wall to heat, but that was wood paneled interior, insulation, and aluminum skin on the outside.
i guess i should have been more specific, the lanterns are used to light the camper(save on battery) and it works out that the heat produced helps so the furnance isn't running non stop. we also use the small fan/lights to push the air around. But your right about the heat loss, we go thru a tank of propane within a day and a half. My old skamper had a regular canvas and held heat alot better.