Bunkend Solar Covers

[mrflinders]

I believe that PopupGizmo provides a 10% discount to ArveeClub members and also includes the clips with the covers. So for a little more expense, you get custom fitted solar covers. Like someone else said, they are useful for more than just heat...they help on cold nights, under sappy trees, and I've even seen them used to keep a bunk end dark in a lighted campground.
 
Whever ever you get, you won't regret. But if you get the cheap space blankets, you'll wind up replacing them very quickly---thereby BUYING TWICE, which is the most expensive way to buy anything.
 
gsm x2

I ordered my set a week before the last camping trip, and they arrived in plenty of time.  The 10% discount for PUT members was an added bonus.  We never did put them on the tops of the bunkends (it just wasnt that hot out), but they did come in handy - as Scott mentioned, they worked well blocking the light from an adjacent campsite (as well as the early morning sun)........ take a look.......
 
http://community.webshots.com/photo/158224771/158228421auJWsI
 
In any case, I have been told that they make the A/C unit way more effective on hot days.....
 
- Randy

[David Roder]

Thank you for posting this question!!  I woke up this morning with condensation on the roof over my bed so I am definately buying these for the reverse effect if nothing else!

[OC Campers]

We like our Popupgizmos bunk end covers too.  They really help keep the hot air out.  The best part about them is they keep the bunk end canvas clean.  Even if it isn't hot out we still put them on.

Jacqui

[Miss-Teri]

Why camper manufacturers don't find a way to use this concept on their pop-ups and hybrids, I have no clue.

Exactly what I've always wondered.  Maybe because the big money is in the larger campers so bunkends aren't a priority in the marketing department?

[Tim5055]

Why camper manufacturers don't find a way to use this concept on their pop-ups and hybrids, I have no clue.

I think the main reason they don't add this at the factory is the manufacturer dosn't know how you are going to use the pop up.  A reflective bunkend cover would probably be great for someone who camps in So Cal or Arizona all the time, but when I do fall camping in the mountains, I want the bunkends as warm as possible.

[SkipP]

I think the main reason they don't add this at the factory is the manufacturer dosn't know how you are going to use the pop up. A reflective bunkend cover would probably be great for someone who camps in So Cal or Arizona all the time, but when I do fall camping in the mountains, I want the bunkends as warm as possible.

Good point Tim. My thinking is that at "sleep time" (after the fire has gone out and/or the drinks are gone), the covers will be either benifical or a non-issue. During the day, even when it's not hot outside, the bunk-ends can get fairly warm from the radiant heat... too much so for us. I'd rather see reflective bunk-ends than saunas. Sure makes the A/C work a lot less.
 
What's not fair is that you are now in Georgia... who's mountains are home to some of the finest fall camping anywhere!;)

[MtnCamper]

but when I do fall camping in the mountains, I want the bunkends as warm as possible.

Fall??? I just got back from 3 days of high temps of 56 degrees. Last night it was down to 39.

You see, out here when it gets hot, we just go up higher, It was 95 at my house today, And we were at 10,300 feet, even turned the furnace on.

[Miss-Teri]

I think the main reason they don't add this at the factory is the manufacturer dosn't know how you are going to use the pop up.  A reflective bunkend cover would probably be great for someone who camps in So Cal or Arizona all the time, but when I do fall camping in the mountains, I want the bunkends as warm as possible.

I guess what I'm thinking is more of a custom fitted option or a roll up/down type of thing that is fitted to the body near the main compartment.  

You are right about camping in those cold temps.  Especially with a good breeze blowing that air right through those bunkends!  Brrr!

[jstaddwtr]

Everyone else ahs chimed in...but what the heck.....we love ours too! We have had them in strong winds, terribly hot days and under trees catching lots of sap.  Super product that we would purchase again.

[Tim5055]

Funny this thread should still be going on, I just got my new solar covers out of the mailbox

[griffsmom]

We never leave home without them.  

 
Tim,  in fall/winter camping, we turn them over so that the silver reflective material is face down on the bunk--helps keep the warmth in.  Others have also put them under the bunk end mattresses silver side down to keep ground chill out.

[Fuzzymike]

Buy the solar blankets.  You find them in Walmart or any place that sells camping supplies.  They are only abou $2.00 a piece and we use them in Florida and it made a big difference.  

Mike and Lisa

[mike4947]

An FYI, the "shiny" side always go toward the heat. that way it's reflected back. In the summer shiny side out and in the winter shiny side toward the trailer or if under the mattress, shiny side toward you to reflect any radiation back into the mattress.

 
Also watch the "cheapo" emergency blankets. The are nothing but a layer ob mylar coated with vacuum deposited aluminum to make them shiny and reflective. While they work OK, having the aluminum not being covered with a second layer of mylar can lead to the aluminum rubbing off on the trailer fabric. It causes black marks that are impossible to remove.

[griffsmom]

or if under the mattress, shiny side toward you to reflect any radiation back into the mattress.
 

Yep--Mike's right.  I misspoke on that one

[gsm x2]

[indent]Quote: Originally Posted by mike4947
or if under the mattress, shiny side toward you to reflect any radiation back into the mattress.
[/indent]Yep--Mike's right. I misspoke on that one
 
 
OK--I let this go twice, but now I have to speak up.
 
It doesn't matter which side goes up or down under the mattress.  There is no reflective quality on the shiny side when place between plywood and foam, only the insulating quality of the space blanket material.
 
Same thing when the shiny side is place DOWN on the canvas in the winter.  The shiny side does not reflect heat into the canvas...the insulation prevents heat from escaping through the canvas.  Do I dare say, "It really doesn't matter in the winter which side goes up?"  I'll say, "It doesn't matter at night which side goes up."  It may matter on a sunny day because the blue side MAY absorb warmth from the sun, which the sunny side may reflect.
 
OK...Mrs. Neff, Science Whiz, what's your theorum and can you back it up with repeatable scientific proof?
 
gsm x2