Bunk protection

[chano524]

I've saw pu's with the solar bunk covers(great idea) but the heat doesn't bother us that much so we really don't need them. What I was thinking of doing is making my own bunk covers just for protection and to keep stains from trees, leaves off. Husband says it sounds like a waste of time what do you think??

[PJay]

I've saw pu's with the solar bunk covers(great idea) but the heat doesn't bother us that much so we really don't need them. What I was thinking of doing is making my own bunk covers just for protection and to keep stains from trees, leaves off. Husband says it sounds like a waste of time what do you think??

I went to the local hardware store and purchased the wrap you use for water heaters, called reflectix, measured, cut and taped two lengths together and have never regretted it.  I also used grommets on the corners to attach it with bungee cords.  In windy camping you may want to clip sides.  I did not find the work a waste of time and they store flat on the mattresses so are easy to deal with packing wise.
The advantage to the heat reflection alone it obvious.  I have touched the canvas and found it too hot to leave my hand there.  Add the wraps and the heat disapated instantly!  It also offers some protection and also allows a darker roof over your head.

PS - Keeps the cold out as well!

[Morin]

I do not think it is a waster at all.  I agree with it.  I was going to do the same as described above but with White Marine Tarp and bungees.  my reasoning was for inclimate weather.

I am going to look at the reflectix stuff now to to see what it is and how it would work.  So, no i do not think it is a waste of time.  The PUP gizmos may be worth looking at too but they may cost a bit more 9not too much though).

[beacher]

Last July we camped at Dogwood Campground in our local SoCal mountains.  It's a very beatiful campground near Lake Arrowhead in an alpine setting above 6000 feet.  Almost all of the campsites are heavily shaded by various tall pine tree species.

The strange thing I noticed was that MANY folks had their RVs "tarped".  Some with actual blue and grey hardware store tarps, and some with simple thick sheet plastic.

As we packed up to go home, I realized why so many folks covered their RVs.  The pollen from the pine trees was very thickly accumilated on our roof and tenting, and it turns black with the morning fog/dew.  In that particular situation any kind of cover would not have been a waste of time.

[wavery]

Last July we camped at Dogwood Campground in our local SoCal mountains.  It's a very beatiful campground near Lake Arrowhead in an alpine setting above 6000 feet.  Almost all of the campsites are heavily shaded by various tall pine tree species.

The strange thing I noticed was that MANY folks had their RVs "tarped".  Some with actual blue and grey hardware store tarps, and some with simple thick sheet plastic.

As we packed up to go home, I realized why so many folks covered their RVs.  The pollen from the pine trees was very thickly accumilated on our roof and tenting, and it turns black with the morning fog/dew.  In that particular situation any kind of cover would not have been a waste of time.

YUCK!!! :yikes:

How'd you get that guck off of your canvas :confused:

[flyfisherman]

I've been using the Reflectix way back since when the topic was first brought up here. In fact, I think that was maybe where the founder of PopUpGizmos first got his idea, or at least first posted some inquiries if any of us would be interested in a better refined product.

Before I went with the Reflectix, I was on a fishing trip up in northern Michigan when the word came that a "Canadian Front" was on the way. Another fisherman in our campsite from the area advised me to cover my bunkends with those plastic tarps, like he had done to his popup. I went to town, bought a couple at the local hardware (5' X 7'), went back and tied them securley over the bunk ends, about like he had his. Late that afternoon the temperature dropped like a rock ... went from a most pleasant fall day in the mid-sixites, to a hard rain and temperature dropping below freezing. All kinds of sleet and snow and icles hanging down in the morning!  Found out that just with the plastic tarps covering the bunk ends helped with inside temperature and condensation. Plus, covering bunk ends when your camping amonst the pine trees, as I do quite often, is a little kinder on the bunk end canvas ... those pine needles fall off the tree in a kind of parachute fashion, with the sharp ends hitting the ends of the popup. Later, I included the refectix which helps so much in hotter weather, especially if one end or the other happens to be in the summer sun. Now, I no longer cover the bunk ends with the plastic tarps ... now do the whole camper, but still with the Reflectix.  One day, I suppose, I ought to break down and buy the Gizmos!



Fly

[chano524]

Great idea (REFECTIX) consider me on the way to the hardware store!!

[dcampbell1969]

If I already have several of the heavy duty tarps -silver/brown, would you think those would be at least half as effective?  I will eventually get myself some gizmos, but since buying the camper this year and tons of other camping stuff, I'm about over spent on the yearly camping budget.

[Morin]

I would think you'd be fine with any sort of additional protection.  The main thing you do not want to do is attract the sun and cook those bunk ends.  Your protection will be efficient enough to do what your looking for and will provide additional security incase of rain.  Just go Silver Side Out...

I too am debating the gizmos this year or just some simple tarps with Bungees...  I will most likely go the same route this year and make adjustments as needed later on down the road.  reflectix really looks like a neat idea but for the cost of the rolls..  I dunno.. I guess you have to weigh the cost of protecting now verse potentially replacing canvas and other items later.

[flyfisherman]

I will most likely go the same route this year and make adjustments as needed later on down the road.  reflectix really looks like a neat idea but for the cost of the rolls..  I dunno..

Some hardware stores (ACE?) sell the 2' & 4' wide Reflectex by the foot, rather then by the roll.



Fly

[chano524]

Not sure it's so easy to find, I did some calling yesterday Ace,Menards,Home Depot all said no unless they just want to get off the phone quick.

[flyfisherman]

Not sure it's so easy to find, I did some calling yesterday Ace,Menards,Home Depot all said no unless they just want to get off the phone quick.

Our local Lowe's Bldg Supply use to carry it by the roll (25' I think) but have dropped carrying it for whatever reason. There was also a True Value hardware down in Myrtle Beach that I heard was selling by the foot, too.

[beacher]

YUCK!!! :yikes:

How'd you get that guck off of your canvas :confused:

A rinse with a water hose removed most of it, and a light scrub with a diluted Woolite solution did the rest.

Actually, the sunbrella and vinyl cover bunk ends were almost not affected at all, they easily rinsed off.  However, the trim fabric sewn around the edges was indeed YUCK, (where you actually clip on Gizmos if you have them)!  Thank goodness it didn't permananty stain the fabric because it really did look bad when I packed up to go home.

[oldmoose]

We've had the Popup Gizmos for almost 4 years and love them.Moose

[Dee4j]

I use these from Cabelas

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0006243510214a&type=product&cmCat=search&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&QueryText=emergency+blanket&N=4887&Ntk=Products&Ntx=mode+matchall&Nty=1&Ntt=emergency+blanket&noImage=0

They are the Sportsman's Space Blankets