Mosquito AND no see'um net cover

[sandykayak]

There has been discussion in the past ref adding no see 'um mesh to a popup.  One couple said they stood on either side of the windows and passed a needle backward and forward and stitched the mesh to the popup's netting.

I don't want to do this because I don't think it will look nice and, mostly, because the smaller holes also prevent air from coming in at times when no see 'ums are not a problem.  

So, I decided to buy the mosquito bar from campmor:  they have a weighted one for outdoors and an indoors one:  cost is $40 each. BUT neither one of their mosquito nets is no see 'um mesh. (The Epco Tropiscreen screen tent is only 36" wide. and costs $60 each).  

This is the indoors one:

http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=7566&memberId=12500226

Haven't checked prices lately, but I used to get 54" wide no see 'um mesh from questoutfitters.com for $3/yd

I reckon that at $3/yd it will cost me $75 to make two (I have double bunks on both sides).  So, apart from the labor, I'll get something "better" for about the same price.

By putting loops and velcro tabs in each corner, I'll be able to suspend them from the bars.

Comments?  If I store them in one of those space bags storage will be a cinch.

Any easier or cheaper suggestions?

[topcat7736]

Sandy,

Here's a link I found for no see-um netting. There's a very wide one at a discontinued price. No See-Um Netting

I don't like the cover-the-bunk idea because the bugs will still be inside the trailer. Once you leave the bed area you'll still be eaten alive.

If I could sew, I would stitch Velcro around the outside of all my windows. Cut the no see-um netting to fit & stitch Velcro on it too. That would allow me to mount the netting only when needed.

This would have an added benefit. Mounting some Velcro on heavy clear vinyl would provide installable storm windows for colder weather. I made storm windows for our popup & it was nice in cool weather to be toasty warm while still having a great view in all directions.

[sandykayak]

how come when I click on reply I don't get a blank box?  I got your message below and I'm just typing on top of it since I'm afraid to delete!

point well taken about the no see 'ums still being inside.  Know how to sew isn't just it.  it's the difficulty of sewing something while you are standing up and can't push from below.  I could try with those curved needles in mending kits but it won't be easy.  and i don't think i know anyone well enough to ask them to stand outside and push the needle back!!

when doing chores like this (like the infamous AAR I STILL haven't quite finished!), I use the sticky velcro cos it won't slide around but then it's a pain when you reinforce it with stitching, which I do.  florida sun melts the adhesive.

now, about those storm panels.  what did you use for that that still enabled you to see outside?

i've marked that site you posted. thanks.

Sandy,

Here's a link I found for no see-um netting. There's a very wide one at a discontinued price. No See-Um Netting

I don't like the cover-the-bunk idea because the bugs will still be inside the trailer. Once you leave the bed area you'll still be eaten alive.

If I could sew, I would stitch Velcro around the outside of all my windows. Cut the no see-um netting to fit & stitch Velcro on it too. That would allow me to mount the netting only when needed.

This would have an added benefit. Mounting some Velcro on heavy clear vinyl would provide installable storm windows for colder weather. I made storm windows for our popup & it was nice in cool weather to be toasty warm while still having a great view in all directions.

[topcat7736]

Hi Sandy!

You didn't get the blank box because you did a reply to my post. That caused my entire thread to appear as a "quote". To get the blank box, do a reply on the top or bottom of the topic itself. (Like I just did LOL.)

Our local craft store sells some heavy clear vinyl at only a couple of $$ per yard. It's about 54" wide too. I had bought enough to do the bunkends, AAR and even the screen door. They sell the Velcro too & who knows how much of that I bought!

For the bunkends, I originally did only the two end windows. I had some industrial Velcro & it worked ok. But, when I went to do the side windows, the new Velcro I bought wouldn't penetrate the screen material. So, not to be thwarted by some stupid Velcro, I bought really long pieces of the vinyl & wrapped it completely around the bunkends, holding it in place with binder clips. Took a bit longer to install each time than with the Velcro, but with my 12 hour setup time for Peggy's stuff it didn't much matter. Plus, we left it setup for 5 days at a time.

If you mount anything, make sure you do it on the OUTSIDE of the trailer & not on the inside. Anything inside will billow & pull away when the wind blows while, if on the outside, it will just be pressed tighter to the windows.

[sandykayak]

oh, topcat, I didn't have your message with me this weekend, but thank goodness I decided to put the velcro on the outside.

has anybody made patterns for the windows?  what a PITA!  I was getting so frustrated that I said, "To heck with it...I'm going to at least put the velcro on the outside!   And BOY is it going to take a LOT of velcro.... anyone got a good source for good price??

I got a $22 box of 3/4" (15 feet) at Michaels and used a 40% coupon.  It one bunk end window and there wasn't enough left to even to the bottom "line" of the other bunk end.

I'm really concerned about being able to cut the mesh and have it the right size for the windows!!!

[topcat7736]

Sandy,

With the vinyl, I put on all the Velcro & then stuck on the vinyl. Once in place, I trimmed it all around with some sharp scissors. You can do the same with the mesh, but pin it in place before removing it from the mating side (just in case it doesn't completely stick).

Yeah, it takes a lot of Velcro to do them but in the end it's worth it. I bought the Velcro from McGowan's in Elizabeth NJ, but shipping to Florida would be a killer. Home Depot, Lowe's and Sears all sell big boxes of it. A Google search might find a cheaper place in your vicinity.

Sorry I can't be more help.  

[sandykayak]

I SEE WHAT YOU ARE SAYING!!!  Would have never thought of that!

Talk about "elementary, my dear Watson."

In case someone else isn't following this:

I have already put the hard side of the velcro around one of the end bunks.

(this roll as both sides stuck side-by-side on the roll.

Next I'll attach the soft velcro to the hard side, which will leave the adhesive side exposed.

Lay the mesh onto the sticky side then pin and trim.

I will be doing some basting over the entire velcro so that it will remain attached to the fabric/mesh.