homemade solar bunkend covers

[James]

Has anyone made solar bunkend covers.  I have seen the ones from Popup gizmos and like the idea.  I just can't justify the $89 for something that looks so simple to make.  I just need to find the material to do it.  Any input would be appreciated.

James

[Tim5055]

Has anyone made solar bunkend covers.  I have seen the ones from Popup gizmos and like the idea.  I just can't justify the $89 for something that looks so simple to make.  I just need to find the material to do it.  Any input would be appreciated.James

The first things folks used was Reflectix Insulation.  From the Reflectix web site: "Reflectix

[curryp]

Go to cabelas.com and do a search for space blankets. They are a lot cheaper and other people on this site have had positive comments about them.

[Tim5055]

Go to cabelas.com and do a search for space blankets. They are a lot cheaper and other people on this site have had positive comments about them.

Sorry, but the space blankets are the $1.99 "cheap" ones that stain your bunk ends with black spots.  If anything you want to go with the "sportsmens blankets" also available at Cabellas as well as other locations.

[James]

Thanks everyone, I'm still pondering.  I will let you know what I decide.

[austinado16]

This is on my list of things I'd like to purchase in the near future.

I'm going to with Popup Gizmos for a couple reasons:

1) Time is sometimes money and I figure that once I get done screwing around with sourcing material that won't stain, source and buy the small clamps or come up with some other way to fasten it, sew a binding on the edge so it lasts, sew sections of it together to fit my bunk sizes, etc. I'll be well and above the $89 price tag.

2) Sometimes it's nice to give business to someone who's gone the extra mile to figure something out, refine it, and then build a website and handle what it takes to process orders, mail stuff out, etc.  Profit's not a dirty word.

So that's where my head is at anyway.

By the way, I agree that "Reflectix" is fantastic stuff, but the silver definately rubs off, and after a while, if exposed to flexing or rubbing, the mylar breaks down completely and the stuff is ruined.  Great stuff though in situations like blocking hot sun coming through you roof vent, or standing up in the south facing windows...or between the bed foam and plywood slideout.

[brainpause]

Go to cabelas.com and do a search for space blankets. They are a lot cheaper and other people on this site have had positive comments about them.

Sorry, but the space blankets are the $1.99 "cheap" ones that stain your bunk ends with black spots.  If anything you want to go with the "sportsmens blankets" also available at Cabellas as well as other locations.

Agree with Tim. Those mylar space blankets are actually supposed to be disposable, and you'll buy them over and over. True, $89 will buy a lot of them, but that's also trouble to go do each time.

We had used the Sportsmen's Blankets with success on our old popup. They just happened to be the right size. However, I am trying to get the board to approve the PUG's, as I believe they have to be superior, and also will fit our beds exactly.

Take it from someone who has tried the other two alternatives, and has been reading about them from their beginning: I have heard no one complain about their PUG's, and I will likely get them this year or early next year.

Larry

PS: PUG's=PopUpGizmos

[dupreet]

The $2.00 emergency space blankets won't work.  Look at Cabelas, REI, Sports Authority for All-Weather Space Blankets.  These are $11-15 each, are 5x7 in size, and have grommet holes.  With a few bungees, they work great.  I just spent a week at the beach - even gusty wind didn't move these an inch.  If you need larger sizes, stitch a couple together.  I haven't used them yet in the winter, but I imagine turning them 'shiny side down' will keep the heat in the camper.  Here is a link to them at REI - http://www.rei.com/product/407106

Good Luck

Todd

[austinado16]

Pretty cool.  Here they are in blue at Campmor http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/campmor/large.jsp?prodrefnum=1052&memberId=12500226

[flyfisherman]

Ace Hardware is where I bought the Refectix to cover my bunk ends - they sell it by the foot, no doubt marked up high, but what was I going to do with all the remainder of a roll? If I remember correctly, was less than twenty bucks and the stuff is still going strong (all-be-it a little dog eared on the edges ssomeplaces) and I think I bought it the season of 2001.




Fly

[James]

I just ordered the ones from REI.  This is exactly what I was looking for.  Thankyou everyone. Thanks for the link Todd.  I even got to use my REI dividend and got it cheaper.  I think I can justify $35 for three blankets over $89 for the PUGs.  With two little ones running around the house, every little bit of savings helps.  Oh who am I kidding, I'll probably just spend the leftover cash on some other camping gadget.

Thanks again
James

[austinado16]

..... Oh who am I kidding, I'll probably just spend the leftover cash on some other camping gadget.

Thanks again
James

LOL.....you sound like me and I only have one running around (age 7 for 2 more weeks).

Post back and let me know what you think of the quality and what you think of how well they keep the heat out during the day, and in at night when you flip them over.

[dupreet]

Good Luck James,

I just finished up a week at the Outer Banks.  We had a great spot about 30' from the sound and no shade.  Between the REI blankets, a 6000btu AC I installed and a fresh coat of bright white Rustoleum on the roof, the trailer was bearable during the day - about 85 outside and somewhere around 70-72 inside most of the time.

As I mentioned, I use bungees on the four corners of my Palomino as it is really old and has handy liftarms on all four corners.  I have heard folks with newer PUP's crank the roof up about halfway, tuck the top of the blanket in between the roof and canvas, and they crank all the way up - a few clips or velcro around the edges and you should be set.

Happy Trails,

Todd

[James]

The family and I are heading out camping on the 6th.  It's going to be hot.  Hopefully the covers get here soon enough.  I will let you all know how well they work.

James

[austinado16]

The family and I are heading out camping on the 6th.  It's going to be hot.  Hopefully the covers get here soon enough.  I will let you all know how well they work.

James

James, did you ever get your covers?  If so, what do you think about them?

I ordered those "casualty blankets" form that seller on ebay and they should be here in a couple more days.  $15.99 for 3, so I ordered 6.  That'll give me enough to do both bunks, and the top of the plywood under the mattresses.