Going without...

[SpeakEasy]

... a tent panel?


At an RV show a couple years ago I was struck by the fact that one of the displays featured popups that were set up without the tent panel on the door side. This is a single panel wall that is attached to the rest of the tenting by a single zipper. The top and bottom have rubber seals that simply slide into or out of a grooved track. They had the popup set up without that panel in place. It struck me that if you had a screen room or add-a-room up you could do without that panel and even do without the door (keep it folded against the roof). It creates a VERY roomy appearance, which I'm sure is why they set it up that way at the show.

In spite of the fact that I was struck by this possibility, I have never set up that way.

Do any of you do this? If so, are there any drawbacks? It looks like a great setup for a family situation.

-Speak

[fourgonefishn]

... a tent panel?


At an RV show a couple years ago I was struck by the fact that one of the displays featured popups that were set up without the tent panel on the door side. This is a single panel wall that is attached to the rest of the tenting by a single zipper. The top and bottom have rubber seals that simply slide into or out of a grooved track. They had the popup set up without that panel in place. It struck me that if you had a screen room or add-a-room up you could do without that panel and even do without the door (keep it folded against the roof). It creates a VERY roomy appearance, which I'm sure is why they set it up that way at the show.

In spite of the fact that I was struck by this possibility, I have never set up that way.

Do any of you do this? If so, are there any drawbacks? It looks like a great setup for a family situation.

-Speak

 When we go to camper shows or even to dealership, they often do this so people can poke thier heads in without having to go inside or wait for other people. Never thought about doing that while camping, we don't have the screened in porch. Don't want one either just my opinion.

[tlhdoc]

We don't use our AAR often enough to do it.  Also the AAR is a barrier for bugs, but not as tight as the PU, so I wouldn't want it open.

[wavery]

... a tent panel?


At an RV show a couple years ago I was struck by the fact that one of the displays featured popups that were set up without the tent panel on the door side. This is a single panel wall that is attached to the rest of the tenting by a single zipper. The top and bottom have rubber seals that simply slide into or out of a grooved track. They had the popup set up without that panel in place. It struck me that if you had a screen room or add-a-room up you could do without that panel and even do without the door (keep it folded against the roof). It creates a VERY roomy appearance, which I'm sure is why they set it up that way at the show.

In spite of the fact that I was struck by this possibility, I have never set up that way.

Do any of you do this? If so, are there any drawbacks? It looks like a great setup for a family situation.

-Speak

I wouldn't do that. That panel is not just there to keep bugs out. It's also there for lateral support for your roof. If the wind comes up, you may find that the sway on your roof could be considerable. It could even end up causing problems with your horizontal supports.

Think about assembling a shelving unit for your garage and not installing the cross braces on the back. There would be nothing to keep the shelving unit from collapsing sideways because it would have no lateral support. That lateral support is a critical element in the design of the PU camper.

Also, your door is a fail-safe for your lift cables. If a cable were to break in the middle of the night, your door will keep the roof from falling on you.

[AustinBoston]

I'm with Wayne on this one, I'd avoid setting up without all the panels in place, and I would NEVER sleep without the door in place.

Austin

[fritz_monroe]

Another reason they set them up like that at the shows is to make them appear larger than they are.  My pup is plenty big enough, but without that panel, it seems so much bigger.

And I agree that it's probably not a good idea to set it up for use without that panel in place.