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RE: To add a room or not to add a room?

Started by Jeffrey, Jan 02, 2003, 02:43 PM

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awdjr

Sep 28, 2003, 07:05 PM
 Needing to replace my awning and like to get others input on add a rooms. Are they worth expense and the effort to put up and if so what type would you recomend.

Jeffrey

#1
Jan 02, 2003, 02:43 PM
 awdjrWe hardly ever use ours.
 I like having the option though, if the bugs are really bad I d probably set it up.
 
 But I doubt I would buy one, they are pretty expensive, ours was part of a show package.

fivegonefishing

#2
Jan 02, 2003, 03:52 PM
 awdjrIf it were me, I d get it!  Keep in mind our early spring and late falls are usually between 40 - 50 degrees and with three kids under 7, the added room is priceless!  
 
 Last year was our first season with our camper and we used the AAR pretty much everytime and never regretted putting the silly thing up, even for a two night stay; espically for the rainy weekends.
 
 Ours has privacy flaps we use at night or when it s too windy or rainy.  The first weekend we took it camping the wind was phenominal!  We just had to step inside the AAR and it was like night and day! Check out [link=http://fivegonefishing.tripod.com/abc.html] this [/link] picture, you can see the sides poofed out big time. The extra storage for all our gear plus the extra room so the kidlets can have a little more elbow room is great.

Tim5055

#3
Jan 02, 2003, 04:29 PM
 awdjrAs Jeffery and fivegonefishing clearly point out this is a personal choice.  For the two of us I have never seen a great need but if we had kids and needed additional covered space it would be great.
 
 Think about your normal camping experiences and go from there.

jaycocamprs

#4
Jan 02, 2003, 05:10 PM
 awdjrWe bought our AAR several months after the camper. We like it, and use it on most trips. They are most useful when there are bugs, lots of wind, or in cold weather. The AAR will withstand a lot of wind because it not only is staked down at more points. But also doesn t allow the wind to get under the awning causing lift. In cold weather the AAR keeps the wind from cooling your pots on the stove and you, while cooking on the outside stove. This really helps with the low pressure stove. The bugs, well they re on the outside and your not.

tlhdoc

#5
Jan 02, 2003, 05:40 PM
 awdjrI bought  my AAR 2 years after I got the PU.  I don t ususally use it for weekend trips, unless it is buggy.  I do use it for most other trips.  It adds a lot of living space to the PU and it has the solid panels that you can close for more privacy.[:)]

Watchman

#6
Jan 02, 2003, 08:22 PM
 awdjrI have been to a lot of RV sales lots lately and almost everyone of them has discouraged buying the AAR.  They say that most people never use them, because it takes longer to set up than the entire pop-up camper.  I figured it would be to their advantage to get people to buy then.   Take it for what it is worth.

Diplomat

#7
Jan 02, 2003, 08:38 PM
 awdjrWe bought an AAR several months after we bought our camper and then waited several more months before we used it.  We have only used it once now but I am glad we had it!  It did a great job keeping the rain and wind away!  
 
 We bought ours used, it was for a 97 Coleman.  I don t know exactly what the new ones are like but I know that the newer models have clear vinyl windows and ours does not, ours only has weather panels and screening.  Ours was also one continuous piece which makes it more difficult to set up.  I have cut off the part that goes under the trailer and will redo it so that it fits our trailer.  I would also like it if the thing was in four pieces so that I could put up parts as the needed to block the wind or provide privacy.  
 
 I am kind of skeptical as to how effective an AAR is against bugs.  It did well against wind and rain but it doesn t seem to seal against the trailer well enough to offer a lot of bug protection.    Living and camping in the desert this is only speculation though, I haven t camped where there are bugs yet!
 
 All in all it is a great addition to our camper.  I would strongly recommend buying one!

NightOwl

#8
Jan 02, 2003, 09:35 PM
 awdjrI ALWAYS read the AAR threads and really appreciate everything everyone has to say about them because I am " still learning" .  I still dont have an AAR and  am considering building one of some spare parts I have around because I think they offer a lot of useful features if one camps in Bug Country.   The one for my TM (from Fiamma) is very expensive, but even worse, it is very heavy (and I suppose, bulky too)

Diplomat

#9
Jan 02, 2003, 09:50 PM
 awdjrI saw someone on WebShots ( course I can t remember who) that had mad an AAR out of surplus screening and material from Joanne s.  I looked a Joannes and they have any type of fabric you would want, I was thinking the stuff you use for banners would work best.  
 
 If I had a machine that would do it I would make a four or five piece AAR (two for the front section).  I would make the corners join with buckles and velcro.  I don t think it is essential that the fabric be waterproof, all I think you really need is water resistant, after all the walls are vertical and the water would run off readily.  I also don t think I would make clear vinyl window for it, at least not initially.  I would want the privacy panels such that they could roll up and velcro when in the down position.  I would also make it in a way that clear vinyl windows could be added later.
 
 This is a project that will likey not get done anytime soon.  If a ready made AAR like what I am thinking were available I would seriously consider buying it.

Jo Ann

#10
Jan 03, 2003, 11:51 AM
 awdjrI am hoping to get the screen for my campout and have drop clothes to put up if it rains with wind.

tlhdoc

#11
Jan 03, 2003, 05:59 PM
 awdjrMy AAR has the clear window only on the front side.  When the wind is blowing and it is raining I use lightweight plastic drop clothes to allow us to keep the privacy panels up and still stay dry.  I just use binder clips to hold them in place.  Wal-Mart sells clear vinyl.  I would like to make clear windows all the way around, but I don t sew or even have a sewing machine.[&:]

Redwolf

#12
Jan 03, 2003, 07:57 PM
 awdjrWe thought about it, but decided we d never make use of it.    Our standard camp setup has our aluminum folding table set up next to the door, with a lot of gear stored under it.  That would take up a big chunk of space in an AAR.   Not to mention the extra setup time required.   And we don t sit under the awning very often, if ever.

Cadeuses

#13
Jan 04, 2003, 07:28 AM
 awdjrWell I for one wouldn t be without the AAR.  YES the instructions that come with them are at best, fodder for campfires... but once you get it figured out, and set it up more than once, it becomes an easy task.
 
   As mentioned above, they cut the wind, bugs and rain.  They also keep you warmer while cooking in cold/cool weather.  In a pinch, they provide additional sleeping quarters, with privacy.
 
   Sometimes the velcro doesn t hold to the awning/camper the way it s supposed to.  A quick fix for this is to strip off the adhesive from the velcro and applying contact cement to the awning/camper and the velcro... position... and stick it on.  DONE!  Never to come off again!
 
   No I wouldn t be without ours... and for those that are undecided about whether to get one... I highly recommend you do!
 
   HTH, and have a great day![:D]
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