4hapyMcDs
Southern Ont. Canada
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Joined: 11/09/2006
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We just left the PUP and now HTT. We have never used the solar blankets on the bunk ends. I don't think we have actually had that many overly hot days, I do recall a couple where the fan was even blowing hot air. Now that we are starting in the HTT with air are they really good to have? Does it help that much for day time use or does the air take care of the heat? My worry now is more about our trip to Florida in July too. How many use them? Also I have been reading a lot of post and have read about the Wheel Stop Chock. Is it better to get that than the regular chocks we used for our PUP? When you have the one do you need the other. Thank you for answering all my questions. I know when we pick up the HTT on the 27th they will answer all my ? and they are a very good place too. I just feel sometimes it is better to get experience from fellow campers. Cynthia
The outdoors is a wonderful place to be....
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bovellois
La Pocatiere Canada
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Joined: 06/22/2005
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I think they make a world of difference. Some people say shiny side out during the day, dark side out at night. It seems like a lot of work to change twice a day. But regardless, the added insulation keeps the bunkend area cooler in the day and mostly reduces condensation at night, obviously more so during cool and damp nights. Make sure to have what you need to attach them properly. I use binder clips but even those can slip.
Bruno, Carol, Thierry and Julien
Sankei the fox terrier
97 Dodge 2500 4x QC diesl
2006 ROO19
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Coyotecprs
chicago
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Joined: 08/30/2006
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The solar blankets are a must IMO! Yes, even though our HTT has a/c it makes a huge difference. For one thing with the reflective side up you are not getting the hot sun beating on the bunk ends and it helps to keep the inside of the camper cooler. You can take a nap on the bunk end cause it's darker with the solar blankets on and it's cooler. I remember trying to nap on the bunk end before we got our PUG's and it was so hot even with the A/C blowing. It helps with the condensation and you don't get the little drips on the inside of the bunk end. It also keeps the sticky sap from making a mess on your bunk ends. I can't say enough good things about them. We did spend the extra $ and buy the "pop up gizmos" with the high wind option and they fit perfectly plus they come with nice little clips that help you attach it. Mine have never blown off and they are a must have! When it's cold we flip them over and start with the reflective side down and the blue side facing up. It keeps the camper nice and warm plus I made nice reflectix panels that slide in front of the screen. When we're camping in the hot summer months, I put them in and when we're camping in the fall I also put them in. When it's nice and cool we usually open up the screens and let the air blow through and don't use them. When they aren't being used I just store them underneath the beds.
My husband made his own wheel chocks out of wood. I think you can search the forum here and get the directions to make them. That's what we did. I've included a picture of them.
If you can't afford the PUG's (popupgizmos.com) then I would buy solar blankets from Cabelas or somewhere else and make them yourself. Lots of people here do that as well. I wouldn't camp in the hot summer without them. 
I have to add that we are usually the only ones in the camp ground with both solar blankets (PUGS) and Reflectix inserts in. We usually get lots of funny looks. I guess it looks strange if your not used to it It's always neat to find another HTT or PUP camper using this technique.
* This post was
edited 06/18/08 09:54pm by Coyotecprs *
2004 Lincoln Navigator 4WD,5.4 300hp V8
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2001 K-Z Coyote 25C MC
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Coyotecprs
chicago
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Here is a good close up picture of someone's homemade wheel chocks. I found this picture on webshots. I'm pretty sure if you search webshots.com you can find some good step by step directions how to make them yourself.
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MadFinnHockey
Sandown, NH
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Joined: 07/25/2005
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I just purchased some solar blankets from Cabelas and I'll find out soon how well they work. To install mine, I put a strip of Velcro on both ends of that little gutter looking thing that extends out an inch over where your tent folds out from. Then I put pieces of velcro on the solar blanket, and attached it on that end to the camper. For the other end, I just used some bunjee cords to hold it to the handles on the bunk door. We've had a few windy rainy days, and they held in place ok.
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Coyotecprs
chicago
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Here are some interesting pictures I borrowed from webshots.
This one is quite creative!
I have to admit that with the reflective side up and the inserts in it does look a little bit like a space ship! LOL Hey, but it works!
I bet he's got the coolest PUP in the campground!
Here is a picture of some orange PUG's or maybe they are home made solar blankets.. I can't tell.
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mister_d
Livonia, MI - hardly qualified to be a
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Joined: 09/17/2006
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Since before we bought the HTT I thought about ordering a set of the PUGS, but we have yet to have a need for them. The majority of our camping is in the Michigan state parks which are usually quite wooded and the shade the trees provide are enough. If we were to camp in an open area with the sun beating on the ends all day, I wouldn't hesitate to order a set. As far as protection from the cold goes, we've woken up to frozen water bottles outside. Inside the trailer we're always nice n toasty. Sure we bring an extra blanket and jack the heated mattresses up, but still not cold enough to purchase the PUGS and have one more thing to set up/take down.
Between the wheel chocks are 100% must have IMO. Avoid the yellow plastic set that the stores carry and either make your own like my pic below or buy a set of roto-chocks. You will GREATLY reduce the HTT from rocking. It is truely annoying to feel the whole thing shake while you're trying to sleep. BTW, we still use the chocks that are positioned on the other side of the tires so don't go tossing yours out.
There are plans to make these somewhere on these forums but basically you get some 4x4 wood, threaded rod, 2 nuts, 2 washers, and a wingnut and you're golden. It was cheap and went together quickly. I don't remember the angle I cut at, but if you put the wood behind the wheel and trace the outline with a pencil you should get a good estimate.
Don't feel like you have to do all this before you go. Odds are, you'll be spending so little time in the HTT anyways. At night the air will make you feel like you're in heaven and you'll be so sound asleep a bear couldn't shake you awake! Enjoy your trip!!!
2007 Rockwood Roo 23ss
Derek '77
Tina '78
Brianna '04
Dominick '07
Maximus (slobbering camping buddy)
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Chuck_S
Broadview Hts, OH, USA
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Joined: 03/15/2002
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Good between the wheel chocks not only keep the trailer from rolling away, they cut the jiggly motion while you're inside.
For the unhandy get a set of Roto Chocks. Measure between the tires, find their website, and order a pair. They'll come quickly.
Here they are:
and here's a photo showing three of what I consider essential bits of gear for the camper: Roto Chocks between the tires, Level Air bags under them to level the trailer side-to-side, and Sewer Solution on the drain to eliminate the use of the bulky, Stinky Slinky.
Your mileage (and budget) may vary. 
-- Chuck
'06 Roo 23SS behind '07 Expedition out of Cleveland
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Coyotecprs
chicago
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Chuck_S wrote:Good between the wheel chocks not only keep the trailer from rolling away, they cut the jiggly motion while you're inside.
Here they are:
and here's a photo showing three of what I consider essential bits of gear for the camper: Roto Chocks between the tires, Level Air bags under them to level the trailer side-to-side, and Sewer Solution on the drain to eliminate the use of the bulky, Stinky Slinky.
Your mileage (and budget) may vary.
-- Chuck
I like that sewer solution, but what happens if your at a SP and there is no water hookups? You can't get the incoming water pressure?
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mike_mn
Twin Cities, MN
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Joined: 02/19/2008
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My Binder style wheel chocks. No tools to tighten and about $20 to make.
GMC Denali XL 6.0L-P3-Reese Dual Cam 800
09 Roo 23SS
Me,Wife,02F,04M,06F...and one more at the end of 08.
My Leveling Air Bags Build Thread
My Tool-less Binder Chock Build Thread
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