bunk end mod, adding vinyl windows

[edhawk]

I just removed my bunk ends from my 2011 Roo 23SS and took them to my local canvas repair shop. They are going to quote me a price to add vinyl windows to all six panels in between the screen and the privacy canvas that zips up.

I hope to post pictures and additional information about the project soon.

Wish me luck!

[bikendan]

i've read a number of posts from hybrid owners asking about this mod, but have yet to read about someone actually getting it done.
make sure that they make the vinyl windows with zippers also. and looking forward to your pics after it's done.
i know many on hybrid forums, will be very interested in how they do it, how it works out and what the costs are.

[edhawk]

The first thing I had to do was make this decision. Why would I take two perfectly fine bunk ends, which don't leak, and the edges and seals don't leak, no mold or stains, no holes or tears and do this? Then, check with my wife.

We both love our Roo. The only complaint, is that we would like more windows, natural light and view of the surrounding camp site. We feel that sitting inside, whether on the couch or at the dinette (or even in the bunk ends if the situation presented itself,) there could be a huge improvement with natural light by adding vinyl windows at both ends, but especially at the front end of the trailer.

This is probably not for the faint of heart, and I feel I have confidence, patience and skills to pull off this task.

We also tried to consider how much this would be worth to us and how much we would be willing to spend to do it. By doing it myself, with the canvas repair shop doing the sewing, it should be cheaper than having a dealer or anyone else doing it. I called TJ Snuggles and they seemed uninterested and confused as to why I would want this.

If this were an option that was available to me when I ordered my Roo, I would have paid up to $500 to add this option to my unit! Take note Forest River!

I AM going to have vinyl windows added with zippers around the perimeter, to allow me to have the choice between leaving the privacy canvas up, or the windows up (while running heat or air conditioner) or zipping both down and having screens open. It seems the weather is typically too hot or cold often when we camp. We are thinking clear vinyl windows on all three panels of the rear bunk and smoked vinyl windows on the three panels of the front bunk.

The canvas shop is going to call us back on Tuesday to show us samples of smoked vinyl and discuss pricing. The clear vinyl, they have in stock and it looks about 1/8" thick. I asked if she knew the thickness in mils and she replied with something I don't remember at the moment, but it had to do with "thicker than most normal OEM vinyl windows." I will try to get this detail on Tuesday.

I am using a boat dealership with canvas shop, so they have a lot of experience and I have used them in the past with amazing results and inexpensive pricing.

I had seen a posting on this forum somewhere, that it is relatively easy to remove the bunk end canvas. Easy but scary?!?! Two screws hold in the canvas, to a channel in the bunk end. The screws are in the lower corners, near the bottom hinge. When you take these out, the canvas pulls outward (toward the side of the camper) from this channel. I pulled about three inches out and practiced re-inserting to get an idea of the tension needed,

There is some kind of silicone sealant they inserted before stuffing the bead of the canvas in this channel.

I did it myself, and it took about ten minutes to work each end off. I started with left side, then right side, then top.

I started think about how to re-install it and I will probably just reverse the process by starting with the top, installing a bead of silicione sealant, then stuffing the edge beading in with a popsicle stick or similar broad edge blunt tool.

Sorry if tbhis post seems long. I want to get all the details in case someone out there is considering the same crazy stunt.

I will post more after my meeting with the canvas shop on Tuesday.

[RoamingBadger]

We had thought that would be nice as well, but we quickly decided we don't spend enough time inside to take the chance of it not working out.

[BigBaron]

I love having that option! Our two European Outwell tents have screens and windows. It's so nice to be able to see outside even if it's raining.
Be sure to get vinyl comparable to the pup vinyl so it folds down nicely.

[AMarrs]

The slide out on my pop-up had two side windows that had both clear vinyl & canvas covers. So you could have screens with air flow, no air flow but light & visibility, or completely closed/covered. I always wished the bunk ends had that option instead of just open or closed. I've seen posts by people who have done added vinyl windows to them bunkends themselves by cutting clear vinyl to fit & then adding Velcro to the vinyl & just inside the zippers on the bunkends. Thought about trying it several times but never got around to actually doing it.

[edhawk]

update. I called the canvas repair center and they are waiting for the smoked vinyl samples to be UPS'd to them. They expect them by Monday. Once we look at and choose a smoke flavor for the front bunkend, they should be able to quote us for the entire project. Stay tuned.

My first and only popup had the smoked windows on all three panels of the dinette pullout and across from that, above the sink/stove/counter. We realized we never had them on the bunkends, but must have always wanted them.

[edhawk]

The canvas repair shop called to tell me the smoked vinyl samples arrived. I drove out after work to look at them and discuss pricing.

The sample sheet she provided me comes from a comany called Trivantage, who makes fabric and materials for the boating industry. This is a link to the specific smoked vinyl sample I am interested in Crystal Clear 20/20 54" x 111" 0.040 Light Smoke (1 Each is a Drum of 5 Sheets) | Trivantage

It is called "Crystal clear 20/20" and is .040" thick. It is thicker than the clear vinyl she has in stock which she reminded me is .030" thick (they also referred to this as 30 gauge and 40 gauge)

Here comes the moment I have been waiting for. How much? She said based on her initial estimate, which needs to be finalized through the service department, it will be between $650 and $700. She asked me if this is what I was expecting? I said I was hoping it would be no more than $500. She also said that all the canvas work I had done in the past was when the canvas shop was a sub-contractor to the boat service department and now they are owned by them. This is why their prices have gone up. She thinks she may be able to give me a better quote now that she knows exactly which sample I am interested in.

When I got home and showed my wife, she wasn't shocked, but mildly surprised. She wonders if we do both bunkends in clear vinyl if that will make a big difference in the quote. I will call today and see if they are in to ask the question. My wife also thinks they do good work, so it may be worth the cost (up to $500) to do this upgrade.

[edhawk]

Happy Thanksgiving. Canvas shop called me and gave me latest quotes. $575 if I go clear vinyl all the way around both bunkends or $650 to tint the front and leave the rear clear.

Hmmmmmmmm... a little over my budget of $500......decisions. 2nd quote somewhere else?

[chipcc]

Ever heard of this outfit? They did a repair on my tent trailer curbside window. New vinyl free shipping return $65.

Bear Creek Canvas | Pop-Up Camper Recanvasing Specialists | Spencer WI

[ependydad]

I've heard good things about Bear Creek back when I had my pup and frequented a pop-up forum.

[wrvond]

I think if I were in your position, I wouldn't worry about a few dollars difference. Go with the tinted vinyl or forever wish you had.

[edhawk]

Good thought chipcc. I remember hearing about Bear Creek from the popup forums too. I called Al this morning. He advised not going thicker than 12 gauge because you need to keep the vinyl flexible, yet durable. He said 30 and 40 gauge are fine for the boat market because they don't have to fold their canvas and they act more like windows. We would be folding ours more often. The thicker gauge would probably crack or split sooner.

He also said he thinks this upgrade would involve a significant rework of all the window zippers and inner canvas. He said it would almost be as expensive as just ordering all new bunkends.

I will call my local guy to see if they can requote with 12 gauge vinyl. My wife thinks the labor is the big cost and the material, regardless of thickness, will be almost the same.

[edhawk]

They quoted me $525 for 19 gauge clear vinyl windows. We have a deal. They are ordering material and will get started soon.

[edhawk]

They called me last week to say my vinyl windows are in. It took me until yesterday to get out to pick them up. We laid them out on the canvas repair tables and had a quick look. I was optimistic. I took a quick look at one of the side panels and it looked good.

Brought them home and laid them out in my family room. Checked the front window panel and one of the sides. I think this will do just fine. The zipper for the window may be visible from outside on the side panels but I don't think it will be too noticeable. Not as noticeable on the end (front and back) windows.

It is 9 degrees out right now, so I won't be reinstalling them any time soon. Maybe five more days of single digit or below zero weather coming. I will keep the bunk ends here in the warm house for a while.

I will post pictures of the reinstallation and final product when it warms up in a few weeks? months?? aggghhhhhhhhhhh

[Jimandchris]

Would like to see your finished bunk ends as well. Always liked the vinyl windows in the popup and miss that feature in our Roo. This SE michigan weather is really something else right now. Seems like there's no end in sight to the snow and bitter cold. Getting tired of dreaming about warm weather, camping, and fishing!

[cowboy72]

EDhawk did you get this completed? If so can you share some before and after pictures.

[Jimandchris]

Unsure about edhawk but here's a post from someone who did it back in April.

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...d.php?p=828462

[cowboy72]

Thank you Jim

[Summer2Go]

I am a bit concerned about the type of clear vinyl that is used. I know the tinted windows in my popup had temperature warnings, the plastic would crack if moved below certain cold temperatures. So it was not recommended to close or open the camper in certain temps. It is something you probably should double check. My new roo has canvas side windows in the bunks. I am spending my summer tinkering with the camper that came home on Memorial Day weekend. My next project is the solar blanket pugs, I will make; and then I'm going to construct emergency blanket/cotton canvas inserts to maybe Velcro inside the windows. I can take them out to store, they will protect the tent canvas, and be flexible enough to open the screened windows. They should reflect sun to stay cooler with the air on. We camp where clear vinyl would be a privacy concern with my kids. I haven't sewed them yet, but I purchased the yardage of canvas already, and I need to make the first one to see if it will work.


Sent from my iPad using Forest River Forums