Question on awning/screen room

[wayfaringgirl]

I used the awning/screen room for the first time on this past trip. It took me a while to assemble, but not too bad. If there hadn't been a movable picnic table I wouldn't have been able to get the top most support pole in. I dragged it over and stood on the table to reach.

I absolutely loved the screen room. The mosquitoes were vicious where we (me and the dogs) were camping and it was wonderful to sit outside without being eaten alive. It was great to have a place the dogs could dry off after swimming in the ocean. It truly doubles the living space with the camper and the feel of camping was totally different.

Question 1. Do the people who use the screen room take a small step ladder with them? I'm 5'3" - any suggestions on reaching that top most support pole?

Question 2. Is it critical to have the bottom flaps out if it rains? I ended up folding them inside and laying my rugs over them to create a sealed environment from the sand since we were at the beach.

Question 3. How does it do in wind? At what point is the smart choice to not have it set up?

As always -- thanks for any pointers you have to offer this newbie A Frame camper.

[RVChick]

Hi Gale! Welcome to the forum and congrats on your new camper!!

There are a great bunch of A frame campers here......and I am sure have some great advise! When we went to the FROG rally in Goshen IN this year, the A framers had their own little community set up! It was soooo cool to walk by and see them all set up? Most had the screen porch too! It really is a cool camper set up!

[Wojo]

I don't have a screen room so can't offer any advice, but I sure do appreciate you posting your experience with it. We've been kicking the purchase around a bit.

[Pooneil]

The one time I used mine it pulled a stake out in a high gusty wind on the beach. The wind came up over night and collapsed the canopy into the side of the camper. It was a challenge to get out the door in the morning. Like all other canopies it is susceptible to wind but and compared to the roll-up style found on traditional popups, the A-frame canopies are more difficult to stow while the camper is up.

There was no damage to my canopy. The force of the wind on the fabric, pressing in on the side of the camper, dislocated the window screen on my door, which is an easy fix. All I can say is make sure you stake it securely. Completely set up with all panels in place it is probably less vulnerable than just using it for an open sided sun shade, where gusts can cause lift.

Sorry, no tricks to help with set up for the vertically challenged, that is not an issue for me.

[wayfaringgirl]

If you plan to keep the camper and go places and set up for at least a couple days I feel the awning/screen room is a must have. I love the extra space protected from the sun and insects. Since I travel with big dogs it was nice to be able to leave them outside while I prepared food, etc. I think they really enjoyed the view too.

The only thing I want to add is a T Entry Door Holder so the door doesn't swing shut. I had already put a screen on the door that's attached under the header for the door and secures to the sides of the door with velcro. I left that down so any mosquitoes that made it into the screen room wouldn't get into the camper. I made my screen out of sunscreen, which is more durable. I was really glad I had it. Here's how I did mine: Screen for pop up camper door

[Wojo]

Regarding the original question on a step stool, I always take a 5 gallon bucket with us. I store our fresh water hose in it and other supplies when traveling. When at the campsite, it makes a handy step stool.

I want one, but that $5-600 price tag is why we haven't gone a done it. We only paid $100 for our 10' x 10' EZ Up style awning, and it came with screen room panels. It's been working pretty well for us. The only downside is that it doesn't cover the door. The question is, is that downside enough of an inconvenience to justify the purchase? So far, I've had some trouble getting it past the CFO.

[ko777]

Wojo here is a $10 solution for the gap. I do not use my screen room in a short trip so I do the following set up:

9x12 Tarp goes over the pop-up tent

Setup in one of my short trips

[Wojo]

Very nice! How is it secured to the camper?

Here's how we're positioning ours now.

I'm a bit paranoid having it that close to the camper. I secure three corners down with augers and cinch straps, and a fourth cinch strap is hooked to the camper step frame. We had a surprise 50 mph gusting storm come through last weekend, and it didn't budge. Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean I'm wrong.

[wayfaringgirl]

wojo -- I hadn't thought of a bucket. I like that idea. I'll have to see if it's high enough for me to reach though. By the way -- I saw your mods on flikr and I'm in the process of copying several of them. Great ideas! If you lived closer I'd let you borrow my screen room for a weekend so you could figure out if it's worth it or not.

ko777 -- I also would like to know how you secure the tarp to the camper?

[ko777]

Here is how I secure the tarp on the tip of the A-Frame.

This is a frame hanger

Insert here on both sides, make sure you don't poke the strap inside, go between

This is a non-slip rubber mat to protect the tarp.

- Find the the middle of the tarp's rope hole and tie it to the tip, leave about 4" rope away from the tip.
- Use another rope to tie the middle hole to the other side tip, this will secure the tip of the tarp to the A-Frame.
- Tie the 2 corners of the tarp to the rig's front and back or trees
- Tie the other 2 corners to trees, I use the top of the pop-up tent to keep it up or I use a pole

This set up uses a larger tarp and a middle pole, I used the trees to tie the tarps corners. I could use this set up to protect the screen room from heavy rain or keeping it dry.

With the screen room up, I use bungee cords for the top corners, this setup gives me front shelter for the bikes and stuff, make sure the cord does not snug the vent cover.

[handbuilder]

I am 5'4" & always carry a small step stool. I use it all the time on my trips, it stows nicely in the storage compartment. I have yet to use the Dometic screen room, my EZ Up canopy gives me more covered floor space which I need for my dogs and outdoor seating. I set the canopy so it is one step (literally) outside the opened A Frame door.

[Wojo]

Originally Posted by wayfaringgirl

wojo -- I hadn't thought of a bucket. I like that idea. I'll have to see if it's high enough for me to reach though. By the way -- I saw your mods on flikr and I'm in the process of copying several of them. Great ideas! If you lived closer I'd let you borrow my screen room for a weekend so you could figure out if it's worth it or not.

ko777 -- I also would like to know how you secure the tarp to the camper?

Thanks! I appreciate the feedback, and the thought on the awning. . Good luck modding!

[Wojo]

Originally Posted by ko777

Here is how I secure the tarp on the tip of the A-Frame.
Attachment 41954
This is a frame hanger
Attachment 41955
Insert here on both sides, make sure you don't poke the strap inside, go between
Attachment 41956
This is a non-slip rubber mat to protect the tarp.

- Find the the middle of the tarp's rope hole and tie it to the tip, leave about 4" rope away from the tip.
- Use another rope to tie the middle hole to the other side tip, this will secure the tip of the tarp to the A-Frame.
- Tie the 2 corners of the tarp to the rig's front and back or trees
- Tie the other 2 corners to trees, I use the top of the pop-up tent to keep it up or I use a pole
Attachment 41957
This set up uses a larger tarp and a middle pole, I used the trees to tie the tarps corners. I could use this set up to protect the screen room from heavy rain or keeping it dry.
Attachment 41958
With the screen room up, I use bungee cords for the top corners, this setup gives me front shelter for the bikes and stuff, make sure the cord does not snug the vent cover.

Thanks for the details!

[Cattledog]

I take a four foot aluminum step ladder with me it makes it easier to open the roof of the Aframe and zipping the front panel on the screen room. It’s light weight and comes in handy as a shelf inside the screen room. On my last trip I lent it to another camper who was having trouble putting up their tarps.
I’ve never experienced any difficulties with the screen room during heavy rain or wind. On short trips of a night or two I don’t use it but anything longer than that I put it up.

[FarFromStock]

Great tips!!!!! Thank you!!

[wayfaringgirl]

Thanks to everyone who had suggestions.

Cattledog -- I'm in the process of shopping for a 4' ladder. That's high enough even I will be able to reach.

[Neil Groves]

Hi Gale, Glad I found someone else who has an awning /screen room, can I ask where you bought it from, seem to have all kinds of quotes? Happy camper Neil,Romy

[wayfaringgirl]

Neil -- I got mine when I bought the camper since I knew I would like some extra room. While I was less than thrilled with the walk through I got on the use of the camper from these folks, I could not beat their price so I drove 425 miles to Toledo, Ohio to make the purchase. I'm a serious price shopper, so that says something.

I have no idea where you live, but they draw customers from all over, so it's worth a call to talk to them: Labadie RV

Let me know if you have other questions. I was so, so impressed with the screen room I can't wait to use it again.