Reflectix

[Frio Freaks]

When camping we also have the solar covers for the bunk ends.  We camped this Winter and it got down to about 23 one night.  For this trip we also put the reflectix in the bunk end windows zippered shut, of course, and between the mattress and bunk end frame.  Kept us all quite toasty.

Now - for Summer will the reflectix under the mattress keep the heat out just the same as keeping it in during the Winter?

Thanks!

[aerohead34]

When camping we also have the solar covers for the bunk ends.  We camped this Winter and it got down to about 23 one night.  For this trip we also put the reflectix in the bunk end windows zippered shut, of course, and between the mattress and bunk end frame.  Kept us all quite toasty.

Now - for Summer will the reflectix under the mattress keep the heat out just the same as keeping it in during the Winter?

Thanks!

From what I have seen posted on other PU websites it will. I plan on adding reflectix next weekafter payday!

[AustinBoston]

When camping we also have the solar covers for the bunk ends.  We camped this Winter and it got down to about 23 one night.  For this trip we also put the reflectix in the bunk end windows zippered shut, of course, and between the mattress and bunk end frame.  Kept us all quite toasty.

Now - for Summer will the reflectix under the mattress keep the heat out just the same as keeping it in during the Winter?

Thanks!

Reflectix does what it's name implies...it reflects radiant heat.  Radiant heat (technically, infrared radiation, a form of light) can be difficult to understand sometimes.  All warm things give off radiant heat.  The warmer they are, the more they give off.  When that radiant heat strikes something, it warms the object it struck.

The sun is quite hot, so it gives off a lot of heat.  That's why sunlight feels warm.  It is warming your skin, and you can feel it.  In the summer, reflectix literally reflects that heat off the bunk end, preventing it from heating the bunk end.  Putting it under the bunk in the winter, it is reflecting heat from the warmest thing near it.  When asleep, that means you.

Come summer, the advantage is less obvious.  If the outside temperature approaches 95

[Frio Freaks]

Reflectix does what it's name implies...it reflects radiant heat.  Radiant heat (technically, infrared radiation, a form of light) can be difficult to understand sometimes.  All warm things give off radiant heat.  The warmer they are, the more they give off.  When that radiant heat strikes something, it warms the object it struck.]

This is what I thought and we'll probably take it out from under the mattresses and put it back in if it gets above 95 or so.  We made it to 113 last year so we may be putting it back this year if the Summer goes the same.

[beacher]

.......Reflectix does have a trapped air layer, so there is a small R-factor, but I suspect that R-factor is insignificant compared to the R-factor of a 3" foam matress. .....
I have absolutely no experience to back this up, which is more important than theory........

After sleeping on a frozen-cold mattresses one weekend about three years ago, I threw theory to the wind.  I ran over to CW and installed their SpectraFoil, (their now discontinued plastic coated version of Reflectix).  That tiny layer of aluminized bubble wrap does indeed make a difference!



.

[GrizzlyTaco]

Since we live here in the desert it can get to 120*, so i cut reflectic to fit the bunkends and also all the windows in the PU.  At first i only had it for the bunkends and we were camping in Paharump NV. and it was 118*, the bunk ends were'nt hot but the rest of the PU you could just feel the heat coming through the windows. With the AC on it only got to about 89* in the camper. Since fitting all the windows with reflectic it will cool to 76*. It does make quite the difference.......Ed C.