Darkening Bunks

Shado · 04-28-2014, 11:16 AM

We are heading camping in 2 weeks and the wife decided last night was a good time to discuss the baby having her naps and the fact that we will need to darken the bunk ends so that she will sleep (as we have her room at home very dark).

Outside of ordering Gizmos does anyone have any good ideas/setups fo us to do this? A blanket inside would works well if there were 3 bars. The single center bar doesn't work that well i have found...

Looking for any suggestions.

raspivey · 04-28-2014, 11:34 AM

Unfortunately, I don't think there's much more than gizmos that you can do. When we had the popup, we'd usually just drop one of the beds in the box and close off the bunks. Between the tinted windows and curtains, it was fairly dark. The bunk end insulation issues was the main factor for us in going to a TT instead of the HW296 we were originally looking at. I liked the Roo's for the amount of space you gained, but just couldn't find a floor plan we liked without being too heavy for our current vehicles.

What I would suggest, looking at your floor plan, is to drop the dinette into a bed and hang some dark curtains that you can move when not in use across it and use that as a bed for naps.

Wiscampsin · 04-28-2014, 11:57 AM

Have you considered the Reflectix mod for darkening the tent ends? Reflectix is basically bubble wrap with foil on both sides. Not only will it help darken the tent ends but also help isulate it a little.

**ependydad** · 04-28-2014, 11:58 AM

Where is the light coming in from? The top canvas of the bunk, the window, the rest of the camper?

I would expect that the gizmos darken the top of the bunk quite a bit.

For the windows, you could do Reflectix cut to shape.

And for the rest of the camper- maybe some 3M Command hooks and a couple of towels?

Shado · 04-28-2014, 01:49 PM

The tent ends mainly. Looking to cover them for her mid day nap (right around 12:30pm).

I have looked for the reflextic mod and will look more into that maybe. I know so many people swear by their gizmos. Not sure if they are worth the cost here seeing as we only camp on weekends and the Great White North doesn't get to the point where the AC wouldn't be enough to keep it cool....afterall we did come from a popup with no AC and we survived in there for years...tents before that

**bikendan** · 04-28-2014, 02:06 PM

if you don't want to get the custom fitted PUGs, then buy a couple of the generic 5x7 thermal/solar/all-weather/sportsmen blankets and put them on.
you may want to buy 3, since the front bunk is longer and one 5x7 won't cover it completely.
average cost is around $13-$14 each and are available at REI, Cablelas, Campmor and various internet sites.

they do more that just reflect heat. they help darken the tent end, they help keep the canvas clean, they help retain heat when it's cold and they help cut down condensation.

they are the #1 Hybrid mod.

grubbster · 04-28-2014, 02:09 PM

Build a little tent on your bunk end mattress. You could put a blanket or tarp on the inside over the shepard crook and anchor it under the mattress sides. You would also have to ventilate with the fans but that may be easy since they clip to the pole.

tnlvsn · 04-28-2014, 06:00 PM

Have you considered an actual tent? When ours were little, we bought a peapod tent and set it in the bunk. We weren't concerned about light so much, but rather them getting up in the night and falling off the bunk. We would put them in the tent and zip it up. You could do the same, but throw a blanket over it or something to darken it. The peapod folds to about nothing, springs open by itself and has a nice carrying cover. Here is a link to one on amazon: Amazon.com : PeaPod Travel Bed in Cranberry by Kidco : Infant And Toddler Travel Beds : Baby

ParrishCamper · 04-28-2014, 07:06 PM

I would think putting a tarp over the bunkend while sleeping for naps would work if you don't want Gizmo. Buy a small cheap tarp to see if it does what you need in that area if so then go for the larger one. You can easily add sticky velcro to camper and tarp to keep it in place while needed.
This was the reason why I made my custom Gizmos to cover the whole bunk. Makes it darker = kids sleeping in longer.

chriscowles · 04-28-2014, 10:03 PM

How old is the child? Does she sleep in a crib? When we started out our son (the one graduating high school) was 3 months old and slept in a Pak-N-Play. Nap time was a simple matter of shrouding that to make a dark cave. We could still see in and the open side prevented it from getting too hot.

When he was older (3 years?) getting him settled for a much needed nap (needed by parents more than the kid) was a challenge. But that was as much a noise and excitement factor than it was light.

Shado · 04-29-2014, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chriscowles

How old is the child? Does she sleep in a crib? When we started out our son (the one graduating high school) was 3 months old and slept in a Pak-N-Play. Nap time was a simple matter of shrouding that to make a dark cave. We could still see in and the open side prevented it from getting too hot.

When he was older (3 years?) getting him settled for a much needed nap (needed by parents more than the kid) was a challenge. But that was as much a noise and excitement factor than it was light.

She is almost 2. She has been sleeping in her playpen the past 2 summers. This year we may attempt getting her to sleep in the bed as the playpen on the bed is just too ackward and she hates sleeping in it. Hoping to have on on the rea side bunk in our 233S. Front bunk is for us. We keep them closed off back there.

I discussed the idea of a tent with the DW lasy night and our lil one is a monkey and we don't see that option working. Guess we will try the tarp idea for now and then go from there.

Do Gizmos cover the front window as well?

chriscowles · 04-29-2014, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shado

She is almost 2. She has been sleeping in her playpen the past 2 summers. This year we may attempt getting her to sleep in the bed as the playpen on the bed is just too ackward and she hates sleeping in it. Hoping to have on on the rea side bunk in our 233S. Front bunk is for us. We keep them closed off back there.

I discussed the idea of a tent with the DW lasy night and our lil one is a monkey and we don't see that option working. Guess we will try the tarp idea for now and then go from there.

Do Gizmos cover the front window as well?

My fading memory is returning. Our use of the Pak-N-Play was on the folded-down dinette which made access practical. That works for evening use but it would be inconvenient for a mid-day nap.

With respect to covering the front window, the Gizmo guy makes a full wraparound interior curtain kinda thing. While that probably works for the intended purpose and I'd consider one for my personal use, I would never use it on a child's bed. Considering the death associated with the Pea Pod mentioned earlier in this thread, the risk of accidental suffocation cannot be ignored.

An alternative has been described by others on different threads. Buy some Reflectix (reflextive mylar covered bubble wrap) and cut it to shape to fit between the window flap and the screen. Between those and the Gizmo roof you wouldn't cover every square inch of canvas but it would reduce the light significantly.

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