RE: Canopy/Screenroom/AAR - Honest opinions

[MTNDAVE]

 
Spring is coming and I have some decisions to make and the only Honest Answers I can trust are from you guys.  So here goes.
 
 I m planning to step up from just a plain old canopy on my Coleman Seapine (w/ABS roof).  The Black Flies and Skeeters were just too much for DW last year (she swells up bad from bites) and cut into the fun.
 
 Option #1 is to move up to a Canopy with a Screen Room. (see below)
 
 Option #2 is to go all the way to an AAR. (see below)
 
 Option #3 is to bag the on PU idea and just buy a nice Pah Que screenroom.  I really like this screenroom but the seperate " footprint"  is not available on all campsites and it s added luggage to pack and drag around.
 
 I know from past threads that the AAR sounds like a PIA and I m not sure if we really need to go that far as we are usually fair weather campers for the most part.  But I m still considering this option.
 
 The Screenroom will serve our need to keep the critters away.  My question here would be is this set up as big a PIA as the AAR?
 
 Both items seem quite pricey from Coleman.  I bet you all know some better resources for better prices.
 
 I m looking at other brand set-ups but can t seem to determine if they will mount into the existing roof track I already have.  I like what I see but don t really want to mess with the ABS too much.
 
 Soooo, suggest away.
 
 As a side note..... When I make the upgrade I ll be left with my old basic canopy.  Nothing really wrong with it.  I have that BIG window on the street side (which I love), but it goes Solar when the sun hits it and rain is a problem too.  I had considered having a 2nd roof track mounted on that side and using the extra canopy on that side for added protection from sun & rain.  Also great place to store bikes, etc.  Anybody ever done this?  Cheaper than an aftermarket sun canopy and more coverage too.
 
 Can t wait to hear from you all.
 
 
 
 
 
 

[whitestar505]

 MTNDAVE
MTNDAVE,
 
 

The Screenroom will serve our need to keep the critters away. My question here would be is this set up as big a PIA as the AAR?

 Well I have found that ANYTHING additional is a pain. I do know that on my Sedona I had an AAR and found out it was such a pain we hardly ever use it . When we did we did not set it up right. Setting one one up on just a weekend takes more time then I would like. Long stays it is nice.
 
    I have bought a screen room from these people and found it light and affordable.
 
 http://www.avidoutdoors.com/avidoutdoorsaw/shelters.html
 
 We use the room over the picnic table. Once again it is an additional pain but once it is up it works out nice. [] Remember some are more a PIA then others.

[kathybrj]

 MTNDAVE
We ve got a Coleman AAR and have not set it up camping yet- only at home. Our thought is that we will use it on longer trips. It can be a little tricky to set up at first, but it didn t seem too bad. We ll see how it goes when we re on a trip.
 
 We purchased a Hillary hexagon screenroom last year from Sears. Since it has an external frame, it sets up in about 5 minutes- very easy. We put this over the picnic table. The shape can be a problem, if you are on a small site. It folds down well and doesn t take up much space, but we have a camper with a storage trunk so " not much room"  is relative.
 
 We had a Sedona and I wanted a screen room/AAR for it, but the canopy seemed too small and it didn t look like we would have a lot of room in there when it was up. Then again, we have 2 kids and the dog, so room is also relative.
 
 Someone on this board had a phone number to a dealer (I think he was even in PA) that sells the Coleman screen rooms at a reasonable price. I like having the other screenroom as well. We ve used it at home for picnics, etc.
 
 You ll get some good responses here. Good luck![]

[Joe Gleason]

 MTNDAVE
I am wondering as well...
 
 If you don t have bugs?  Do you still want it?
 
 I could see protecting things from the Rain and breeze if it s cool...
 
 Do you feel boxed in... etc...
 
 Have been looking at the bunk " skirts"  that turn bunk into a mini shed.  A great place to hide tings like kids toys, bikes, etc... so the site doesn t look so messy and keeps them out of the sun/rain... Anyone try these yet?

[AustinBoston]

 MTNDAVE
We have the Coleman one-piece screen room (the AAR is in multiple pieces and is easier to manage).  We only use it when we will be set up for at least a week AND when there are biting or annying bugs.  It s a nuicance to set up, and a BIG nuisance to take down and put away.
 
 Austin

[fivegonefishing]

 MTNDAVE
We have an AAR that came with our Jayco, it can either be just a screen room or an enclosed room.  Out of 13 trips last year, we didn t use it 3 times!  We found it to be worth it s weight in gold.  It doesn t eliminate squeeters but does reduce the little pests.

[SheBantam]

 MTNDAVE
I have an E-Z-up screened room, it is easy with 2 people, one to hold the string. the other to snap the joints. the screened room does take up a lot of space on a site, if it is well treed, then it may not fit. We only use it in buggy areas, it is not good for rain because of the slop of the side walls.
 
 
 I just ordered a Spartan Canopy from Kmart, 10 x10 and free shipping, it is a fold up one.  
 I really like the screened room when we are near the beaches,  It fits on top of my dinette or under it, we leave it at home when we know we will not be able to use it or do not need it. It does not weigh too much, I can handle it myself, if I have a tree that I can hang the string on.
 
 some of the canopys have the screening that can be attached, I will have to check out my Spartan when I get it, Kmart shows related items for this, but not the Spartan brand...

[Gamecock Camper]

 MTNDAVE
I believe that the AAR is one of the best additions for the dollar you can add to your PU set-up.  I ve seen how others feel that they are a PITA to set-up, but my experience is that the set-up is not that bad at all.  After setting the AAR or screen room up a couple of times it shouldn t take more than about 10 minutes or so to set-up.  I will be looking to buy an AAR for my Rockwood at the RV show in a couple of weeks because of our experiences in using an AAR on our Jayco.  After some practice, a screen room or AAR (just a screen-room with privacy panels) on the Jayco could be set-up in about 10 minutes.  It can be done by one person, but it is so much easier to set-up with two people.    I believe that the Jayco awning is probably one of the more difficult awnings to set-up, but again... after practice we got the hang of setting the awning and AAR up.  The new Rockwood has a Carefree of Colorado awning that is awesome in its design and ease of set-up.
 
 On the Jayco, the AAR came in two pieces.  There was a solid piece that included three walls.  Each of the end walls had a sleeve for the end awning poles to go in.  The awning poles went from the corner (ground pole) to the PU roof top via a spring loaded two-piece pole.  This was set-up on both sides.  The front  (outside wall of the awning) was connected using velcro.  The other piece was a skirt that covered the camper from the frame to the ground and connected using snaps.  It really wasn t a bad set-up, but the Jayco awning pole design was probably not the best.
 
 On the Rockwood, the Carefree of Colorado awning is really much easier to set-up.  After unzipping the awning storage bag,  the awning unrolls and all the poles are permanently connected to the end of the awning and a breeze to set-up.  The Screen-room or AAR looks like it connects using a zipper.... I haven t found out yet, but it looks like that is how it is set-up by looking at the awning.  If the AAR is as easy to set-up as the awning, I ll cut my set-up time in half with the Rockwood.  I m sure that the Coleman design is probably well thoght out and hopefully better than the Jayco design.....
 
 I would suggest if you make this purchase that you consider that  a screen-room will reduce the bugs, but an AAR will do this plus give you some privacy and extra room that can be heated (we do) to reduce the chill of a spring or fall night, it can also protect you more from rain, protect you from a glaring sun, wind, or a view of the Griswolds camping next door.   You can also put your porta-pottie in the AAR for those trips in the middle of the night.  You can t do that in a screen room.  To me, it is well worth the " trouble"  of setting it up.  
 
 Another thing you mentioned is that you might use your PU canopy on the other side of your camper.  The AAR s and screen-rooms only include the walls and not the canopy.  They connect to or are set-up right against your canopy, but they do not replace it.    If you have any questions, send me an e-mail.

[Jeffrey]

 MTNDAVE
IMO, It s not really the set-up that is a PITA.
 
 It s the taking it down! These panels are huge, or even all one piece (MINE is)  Just think about..........after it s been raining, or full of morning dew.
 If it s been raining then it s probably splashed with mud.
 
 Ok, So how do you get it down and rolled up, and reasonably clean so the trailer or TV doesnt get it all?
  I ve tried wiping it down before I take-it off. But haven t found a way to fold/roll it without laying it right back in the wet ground.
 
 So I usually find the driest spot I can, lay it out and roll and wipe at the same time.
 And most the time I have to do it again at home???
 Remember mine is one piece so I have to find clean spot to lay it out, that is about 8  x 26 .  Good Luck![: (]
 
 I did this maybe 4 times, and now I finally just don t even bother to haul it anymore.
 
 Taking down a wet tent was alot easier, at least I had a ground cloth to work on, then the ground cloth was the only dirty/wet thing. And I could just toss that in a garbage bag, and replace it, if it became moldy.

[Gamecock Camper]

 MTNDAVE
I have not had any problems taking it down.  We usually fold the AAR using the picnic table.  The ground works well too as long as it is either grassy or covered in pinestraw or leaves.  The little bit that sticks to the AAR can be shaken off either while folding or when setting it up the next time.

[tlhdoc]

 Joe Gleason

 

ORIGINAL:  Joe Gleason
 
 I am wondering as well...
 
 If you don t have bugs?  Do you still want it?
 
 I could see protecting things from the Rain and breeze if it s cool...
 
 Do you feel boxed in... etc...
 
 Have been looking at the bunk " skirts"  that turn bunk into a mini shed.  A great place to hide tings like kids toys, bikes, etc... so the site doesn t look so messy and keeps them out of the sun/rain... Anyone try these yet?
 

 We use ours on all of our longer trips, even if we don t have bugs.  It gives you privacy and more living space.  We don t use it on short trips unless the bugs or weather are bad.  I am glad I have it.[]

[jaycocamprs]

 MTNDAVE
We have the Jayco one piece AAR and use it most every time we go camping.  The very few times we haven t used it was because of site restrictions.....too narrow or too steep!  Ours was somewhat pricey but find that it was a good investment.  If given a choice between the screen room and AAR, we would definitely go for the AAR because of privacy panels.  We do all cooking outside and don t have to worry about the weather or bugs.  It is a pain to deal with when it s wet because you have to dry it out after returning home but, again we find that it is worth the trouble.  We never considered a separate  tent house  because it wouldn t be attached to the camper, so everything would have to be carried back and forth.  If the weather isn t cooperating, we have a free standing table to set up in the AAR and can eat inside without having to eat off our laps inside the camper (our dinette is so small it s pretty much useless).  We also put the porta-potty in the AAR if we aren t alone.  The set up and take down gets easier after a few times using it.
 
 

[Camperroo]

 MTNDAVE
I find the AAR is definitely worth it!   You can sit out in a comfy chair and not be eaten alive, or cook out there, etc.  On our Palamino it only took 10-15 min. to set up and just as quick to take down.  We d just fold it up and put it away.  If it rained we d fold it up and put it in a big bag and then lay out when we got home.  It s not really a hassle at all when you consider how nice it is to enjoy while you are camping.

[4campinfoxes]

 MTNDAVE
Growing up camping in a PU my parents always had an AAR & it was great.  I realized after owning my own PU that their s was a custom made job - extra large.  My problem with the AARs out there is that they are just too small.  We have a separate screenroom.  Sometimes we don t put it up, sometimes it is a hassle.  But it can be a godsend when it s too buggy out!  I m seriously considering that new Paha Que screenroom.  Boy it looks nice with the sides.  The sides of our AAR were great when I was a kid, kept the rain out and made it a comfortable place to be.
 
 Good luck in figuring out the best decision.
 
 Sharon

[topcat7736]

 MTNDAVE
We use our AAR for every outing except single night stays. It adds 5 minutes to the setup time but gives us all the benefits stated by Gamecock. We keep the porta potti in it along with our chairs and a table. Ours didn t have vinyl windows, so I added them, using velcro and binding clips, so we can sit out in all types of weather.
 
 Having the AAR attached to the awning is the best. Separate rooms require you to open your door to the bugs, walk through the bugs to the room, open the room door, enter and close the door (with the bugs entering the popup and room faster than a vegetable leaving my mouth).
 
 AAR s and separate rooms take the same amount of effort for setup and packing.  For packing, if it s going to be raining on departure day, I set up a tarp over the picnic table when we arrive; if not, I skip it. When preparing to pack, I put a tarp on top of the picnic table & legs, using it to keep the wood splinters from entering the mesh. (On the ground, the mesh picks up twigs, pieces of everything and dirt. As the mesh is so fine, it s difficult to clean.) Our one piece AAR is then dropped on the dry, non-dirt/splinter table top, folded and rolled up.
 
 If it s raining, I can also put stuff for the van on the table (under the tarp), back the van under it and load everything in without getting wet.