Aar's - Opinions

[angelsmom10]

I have always wanted an AAR for the PU.  Starcraft finally got caught up on the Centennials and was able to start the AAR's.  We do have to order it, but the dealership doesn't recommend them.  They say everyone who has ever ordered an AAR for their PU (any kind) either returns them or complains about the hassle, weight, etc of using them.
 
I felt it would be a lot easier then setting up a screen room and in rainy weather having to travel between PU and screen room just to sit outide.
 
Just wanted everyone's opinions.

[birol]

If I had a PU (make no mistake that day will come),  I would definitely get one of those AAR's which are also screen rooms ! I am talking about the ones which are normally like a screen room, but have privacy flaps which can be dropped when  it is rainy or windy or whatever.  They seem to offer the best of both worlds.
Doesn't Starcraft make something like that ? Can you buy just a generic brand and fit it to your PU ?

I have always wanted an AAR for the PU.  Starcraft finally got caught up on the Centennials and was able to start the AAR's.  We do have to order it, but the dealership doesn't recommend them.  They say everyone who has ever ordered an AAR for their PU (any kind) either returns them or complains about the hassle, weight, etc of using them.
 
I felt it would be a lot easier then setting up a screen room and in rainy weather having to travel between PU and screen room just to sit outide.
 
Just wanted everyone's opinions.

[angelsmom10]

That's the kind I want screen and privacy flaps.
 
Yes Starcraft makes them, however because of the size of the Centennial, it is a custom made one that Starcraft just started making within the past 6 months or so.  So far you cannot get a generic one.
 

[Miss-Teri]

We have the kind Birol is talking about.  We absolutely love it and use all the time - it's wonderful for long trips and rainy day, or just staying away from the "skeeters"!

[angelsmom10]

We have the kind Birol is talking about. We absolutely love it and use all the time - it's wonderful for long trips and rainy day, or just staying away from the "skeeters"!

I assume your are talking about the kind that attaches to the awning...
 
Are they hard to put up? Our dealer says they are a pain in the rear end, are very heavy. Just checking as I can't believe the dealer didn't want to make a sale. DH feels that it must really be a pain.

[Miss-Teri]

Ours is only one piece but isn't hard to put up at all - I'm not sure why as I've heard the horror stories too.  
I'll try to post a picture of ours for you later today.

[LKaskel]

We have one for our PU.  It does take a lot of effort to put up but on long trips (4 days or more) it is well worth it to have extra space when camping with three kids!  We also use one of the mats the PUT sells in there store as the floor.  We think we have a great setup!  Now if we could only get the sag out of the roof?

[kathybrj]

We use our AAR on every trip, no matter how many nights we're staying. I wouldn't go without it.

Ours is a 3 piece one plus the bug skirting that goes on the bottom of the camper. It took us a few tries to get the setup down to a science, but now that we've done that, it's very easy to put it up.

I like the extra room and privacy. it's great to sit in there when it rains or the bugs are really bad.

[angelsmom10]

So far it looks like I'll be saving my wages from working the auctions and getting an AAR for the PU.  
 
Anyone got any ideas on pprox price for AAR w/privacy flaps and skirt for on the PU to seal the room (the best it can get).

[mike4947]

Nancy, the dealrs giving you a snow job. I'm in the process of getting a 2600, the ten foot box model and the dealer has an AAR in stock for it. Besides Starcraft doesn't make either the awnings or AAR's/screen rooms they use.
 
I just happen to have a Carefree of Colorado catalog right here at the computer so here the RETAIL prices on 12 footers.
 
12 foot AAR for Campout or Supersport awning $371. 12 foor screen room for either $183.
 
I'm specifying the Campout awning and AAR for my new trailer. A must for black fly season in the Adirondacks.

[tlhdoc]

We only use ours when we camp longer than a weekend, or in case of  bugs/rain.  I like having it and would get one again.  I also have a Paha Que screen room and love it.  If I had to choose one, I would go with the AAR.  It gives us a barrier between the mosquitoes and the PU when we camp at Assateague Island National Seashore.

[topcat7736]

We use our AAR for anything over one night. I wouldn't travel without it!

It adds about 5 minutes to the setup time and about 15 minutes to the takedown. (And, we have a one piece unit). Not bad to be bug free.

For Coleman/Fleetwoods, the price is about $500.

[PopupSgt]

We use our AAR on just about every camping trip.  We also use the mat that is sold from PUT store underneath the room.  The room is a little bit of hassle, maybe about 10 minutes to install, ours is also a 14' box.  Taking the room down isn't that bad either since everything (including the awning) is already being taken down.
The great thing I like about the AAR is before we turn in for the night we place our belongings inside the room just in case it rains.  Also if it does rain we can sit out and get fresh air w/o getting wet.  We also place our dog in the room at night so he can sleep outside, he gets too hot in the camper with us.

[tlhdoc]

It takes me about 10 minutes to set up our AAR and 15 to put it away.  We use a patio mat as a floor for the AAR too.

[Miss-Teri]

I completely agree with everyone about having fake grass or a mat to go underneath the AAR.  We have the fake grass cut to fit the AAR and it makes life so much easier!  Once after dealing with day after day of mud in the PU I actually said (gasp!), "I'm about to start HATING camping!".  After getting the grass (and going through counseling and meds...), I am back to myself and can camp through any weather again!  Give me rain!  Give me shine!