Solar blankets for tent ends on Shamrock 23SS

[jimtrvl917]

I'm just wrapping up a weeklong trip to TN, and it was hot for most of the time. I saw someone's hybrid, and they had these solar covers on their rtrailer made by popupgizmos.com. Does anyone have any experience with them? Are they helpful? Can they be left on the bunk ends even when closed up? I was seriously thinking about getting a larger AC unit, but these looked promising. Thanks in advance!

[Flybob]

They are great. Had them on a PUP many years ago and they really help when in a sunny location. I don't think you can leave them on when closing ( I never did) but they attach and are removed easily.

[itat]

We had them on our Roo. Worked great to help keep it cooler in the summer. They also prevent condensation on the underside of the canvas roof in cool weather.

[Gdub2]

Had them on our popup they work great also get some reflectix material from Home Depot cut it to size for bunk end windows. With that combo your air conditioner will really off your camper.

[Gdub2]

Had them on our pop-up they work really good also get some reflectix material from Home Depot cut to fit bunk end windows with that combo your air conditioner will really cool down your camper

[bikendan]

Popup Gizmos and Reflectix are the #1 Hybrid mod. Not only do they help with temp control, they keep the canvas ends clean from sap and debris and also darken the tent ends for afternoon naps and late risers.

[Jim_74]

We just ordered a set for our 233S. This past weekend at the lake was 100 and the 15k btu AC couldn't keep up with 3 uninsulated bunk ends.

[itat]

I recommend you get the super high wind version. Using the little clips on the less expense versions is a nuisance.

[GalsofEscape]

yes we have them, yes we use them, yes they can stay on when closed up if you get the velcro option - you have to provide the other hook half and it can be installed on the inside upper lip of the opening. And yes, get the super high wind version.

[ebemis]

I have read for a long time about the Gizmo's but always came back to me not wanting the hassle of another thing to carry around, setup and teardown. In addition I like the "light" coming through and try to camp under trees so as to reduce some of the solar gain and heat loading that DOES come through the canvass. I still hold to that thought BUT HAVING SAID ALL THAT... Bikendan's comment "...keep the canvas ends clean from sap and debris..." WOULD BE A VERY WELCOME effect!!!

[TXFolkie]

We used them for years on our PUP Starcraft. They helped. We also used cheap windshield reflectors from Wal-mart in each of our windows. They fold easily so we didn't even have to cut them to fit. However, in the end, you are still trying to air condition a tent. Here in Texas the AC could not keep up. After 20 years of the Starcraft (and a Coleman before that) we decided to move to a hybrid Jayco to get the hardsides. We only kept that 2 season trying to cool the bunk ends before we moved to a real trailer. It's hard to cool a tent.

[sdelam]

I used heavy duty emergency blankets I got off amazon and some harbor frieght squeeze clamps. Carried a step stool to put it on and it worked great for me. They dont have the "cool factor" of the popup gizmo version but had the same effect (cooler interior/less condensation). Never had a problem with them blowing off in high winds/rain on the Roo 21ss I had.

[Jim_74]

We ordered the super high wind version and added the velcro. I'll also be getting a roll of reflectix for the windows when necessary.

We had a Jayco hybrid previously, with 2 bunk ends and a slightly smaller AC, but the canvas was a little thicker, in my opinion. It struggled too when we were in really hot weather, but we try to avoid anything above the 90s most of the time, so usually it was enough to get through a hot part of the afternoon if we're in the trailer. So, we never got around to buying them.

Now, with the 3rd pop-out and the Roo being brand new, we decided to go ahead and get them (a weekend at the lake over 100 helped us decide). These pop-outs let in a bit more heat, so if the gizmos make a noticeable difference in stabilizing the temperature, i'll be happy enough. The big plus side for me is the protection for the new canvas! Nice to hear that they can be left on with the velcro too.

I figured we had to get the super high wind version, because we camp at or near the beach quite a bit and either the wind follows us wherever we go or it is windy everywhere in CA and AZ.

[sdelam]

I also found just closing the curtains for the bunks helped seperate the a/c from the heated bunks.

[StrangeBird22]

Originally Posted by sdelam

I used heavy duty emergency blankets I got off amazon and some harbor frieght squeeze clamps. Carried a step stool to put it on and it worked great for me. They dont have the "cool factor" of the popup gizmo version but had the same effect (cooler interior/less condensation). Never had a problem with them blowing off in high winds/rain on the Roo 21ss I had.

X2. I have used the pop up gizmo's in the past, but found that they only last a few years.(YMMV) I had some Harbor Freight moving blankets that fit perfect. I also use the small spring clamps. Never a problem blowing off. Moving blankets don't last forever either but are a lot cheaper to replace.

[rfifer]

We had the super high wind Gizmos on our 277HW and loved them. They helped keep the rain from saturating the canvas in addition to keeping the trailer cooler in summer or warmer when heat was needed. We did not leave ours on when we folded up the PUP. I was concerned about the wear and tear of tucking in the Gizmos and the canvas to close the trailer. So we removed ours each time and when we put them back on, they were like new each time.

[hobienick]

Agree with all of the positive points listed so far. Had them on our PUP, loved them. Have them on our Roo, love them.

Had the PUP for 5 years. Bought new. Had the gizmos the entire time. The canvas looked brand new. We camped at least 9 times per year. Gizmos just started to show minor wear when we sold it. I would have used them 2 more years. The wear came from folding them up for storage along the crease lines. I leave them on the Roo now.

The customer service is fantastic. The product is well built. It's a small US based business. I find the price to be a good value.

[jimtrvl917]

Thanks for all the feedback and suggestions. They sound like a good option. Happy camping!

[Jim_74]

Originally Posted by sdelam

I used heavy duty emergency blankets I got off amazon and some harbor frieght squeeze clamps. Carried a step stool to put it on and it worked great for me. They dont have the "cool factor" of the popup gizmo version but had the same effect (cooler interior/less condensation). Never had a problem with them blowing off in high winds/rain on the Roo 21ss I had.

I thought about doing this. When i suggested to the wife, she asked me to buy the gizmos.

[Chuck_S]

Popup Gizmos are essentially custom cut heavy duty "space blankets". I bought a set 18 years ago for our Coleman Bayside popup and the same set currently resides in our Roo 23SS. Fit isn't as nice as the tent ends are different sizes but we're camping, not at a trailer beauty contest. Basic, early model secured by a couple dozen orange color binder clips. There are fancier versions available which are more convenient to put on. Need a step stool to reach high enough to clip them on.

Yeah they're one more thing to erect at a campsite but worth the effort to sleep under tentage rather than a confining box.

These work both ways. In colder weather I put them reflective side down to retain heat in the bed ends.

The bed ends are still tents regardless of the Gizmos so we close the bed curtains when we're not in bed to allow the AC or furnace handle the main cabin.

Some very nice campers we looked at in Australia had a reflective top fly over the tent ends with an airspace between the fly and tent roof. These rolled out over the ends just like a canopy or slide topper. Not seen that innovation here.

-- Chuck