Insulation for pop up windows

[Surfcal]

I went camping this weekend and one of the simple mods we put in place was to trim those shiny reflective materials you use for windshields and cut them into the shape of the pop up windows. To keep them in place, we just slid them in the slot between the the screen and canvas.
 
I thought it'd make a difference, but the result was dramatic. We had to crank the heater down. It also kept the morning light out which made it conducive for sleeping in. Along with the top cover over the bunk and with the custom-made insulation, it made for very toasty and comfortable nights.
 
It's a fun project to do and got three window shapes done in a half hour. Storage is easy since those fold so readily.
 
The material I used was from Camping World and bought the reflective windshield stuff for motorhomes. I just wanted to work with a larger piece to begin with and those are huge. They are a bit pricey and you can get similar materials in bulk at one of the big box warehouses. I do like the sturdiness of the ones I bought and the existing folds of the original shade made it easy to put away. It also had excellent insulation properties.
 
With this technique, it could help extend your camping season by weeks on each end.
 
Surfcal
 
P.S. With those shiny things in the windows, the pop up bunkend looks like a NASA project.

[brainpause]

This is one of the best "new" ideas I've heard in a long time! I might have to look at doing this. Thanks!

Larry

[David Roder]

Do you think you can reverse them for the opposite effect in the summer?

[Surfcal]

The version I got has the reflective stuff on both sides so reversing it would have no effect.  I suppose if you get the ones with different material on each side, you'd have to face the reflective side the other way and that should reflect the heat producing the effect you want.

Surfcal

[HersheyGirl]

That sounds like a really great mod.  I am going to do that this spring.  Thanks for the idea. Did you just do the bunk ends or did you do all of the windows?  I can't wait!

[MtnCamper]

Not any need to reverse them, they are insulators, keeping the cold out and the hot in, or the cold in and the hot out. They will work both ways. They key is they don't allow the transfer of temperature, either way. If you have A/C, they will help a lot, after all you insulated 85% of the (vertical walls) bunkends.

[brainpause]

Sounds like everyone else is as crazy about this idea as I am!

The only problem is this: Holly and I try to follow the KISS principle: Keep It Simple, Stupid. That means we don't like a whole lot of setup. We have bought the reflective bunkend covers this winter, but haven't used them yet. I see them as a great help, but also as additional setup.

That's the only drawback, which is probably fairly minor.

Larry

[MtnCamper]

I don't always put my covers on when I setup. Only if I think I'm going to need them. It's not out of the ordinary for me to go out the second day and with the help of a small stool, install them on the bunkends. Same with the window things. I may put them in late in the day, and take them out every morning, when the sun comes up. Not really part of the setup or teardown, just whenever I get to it. After all, I'm camping, why work at it?

[Surfcal]

That sounds like a really great mod. I am going to do that this spring. Thanks for the idea. Did you just do the bunk ends or did you do all of the windows? I can't wait!

Just the bunkend. I have a one-sided pop up. The box part of the trailer has curtains and that provides pretty good insulation.  You know, to put the inserts in and out takes all of 2 minutes.

[tlhdoc]

Great idea Ray!  Thanks for posting it here.