The solar blankets made a huge difference when I went to Disney last July. The temp was in the mid 90's everyday but the a/c kept the trailer comfortable. It did run pretty much 24/7, but it was not on the coldest setting and the fan was set on low...just kept it even/comfortable. Keep the silver side out to reflect the sun and heat. Most people won't change them back and forth every day since you usually don't need heat and a/c both in the same day. They'll help no matter which way they're on, but work best with the silver side toward the heat. I also have the "homemade wooden between-the-wheels" chocks. I wouldn't be without those. The regular wedge chocks just don't do as good of a job.
Me~Jim, 44
DW~Patty, no comment
DS~Dave,19
DD~Megan,17
DD~Emily,11
200lb. English Mastiff~Gulliver,8
2005 Expedition Eddie Bauer
2002 Palomino Stampede 235 SL
I just spent 2 weeks camping in the mid to upper 90's. One tent end was in the shade and one in the sun. Before I put up the space blankets on the end in the sun, it was about 20 degrees warmer than the one in the shade. It would have been uncomfortable for a daytime nap. After the space blanket was put on, it was a major difference. I use binder clips to hold it on. Easy on, easy off.
I do think I might add some velcro, since for now I just clip the sides and bottom.
Also, the space blankets keep debris off the tent end. One of my tent ends got badly stained before I started using the covers. (I think it was under a tree with leaf cutter ants and the leaves and ants made a stain that I have not been able to remove).
Proud Mom & Dad
3 Sons (2 who just returned from Iraq)
1 Daughter
3 Daughters-in-law
1 Son-in-law
1 Grandson, 1 Grandaughter
All Texas A&M Aggies
(tent-8 years,popup-25 years,2005 Coyote CMS!) Coyote pics & mods
I rarely dump the black tank at state parks as the tank doesn't require dumping after every weekend. Although it's nice to do the long lines just bug me. I dump grey water daily via a wheeled cart every morning after breakfast dishes are washed and back haul fresh water.
I do maintain a section of 3" slinky hose in the rear bumper to dump the trailer at the dump site if necessary, or convenient. I use the Sewer Solution on full service sites, not at the dump site. Sewer Solution is not good without water pressure for other than grey water.
-- Chuck
'06 Roo 23SS behind '07 Expedition out of Cleveland Our Photo pages
4hapyMcDs wrote: 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. 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. Cynthia
I wouldn't be without some type of end covering anywhere below the Mason-Dixon Line in summer. I started out using tarps over the ends of my PUP a couple of years ago and recently bought the Gizmos for my HTT. Last year I got all kinds of wierd looks with the tarps while in Myrtle Beach, but by the time I left, there were a 1/2 dozen PUPs that did the same thing.
As far as the between wheel chocks, after our first outing in the HTT and only chocking the tires, I bought the between wheel chocks and immediately saw the difference. I now use both, and have between wheel chocks for both sides of the HTT.
TheGrinch
I use the popupgizmos on the top with reflective side out in the summer and reversed for winter camping. I have also purchased the reflectix material and cut it out to fit the windows all around. I put it between the canvas and the screen. This has effectively reduced the temp in the tent area by as much as 10 degrees when direct sun is on the canvas. I also used AC ducting to make cutouts for the fan exhaust in the bathroom. If you are in hot weather you can feel alot of heat coming in through that vent into the bathroom. One of the good points about the popupgizmo is that you can leave them on the canvas when storing for travel.
mister_d wrote: 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,
Does anybody have these instructions to build this setup? I did a search...but days later...still haven't found the directions. What I am most interested...is the angle of the cut???...and what distance between the two pieces of wood???
This is a GREAT idea...and happy I found it here on RV.net
mister_d wrote: 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,
Does anybody have these instructions to build this setup? I did a search...but days later...still haven't found the directions. What I am most interested...is the angle of the cut???...and what distance between the two pieces of wood???
This is a GREAT idea...and happy I found it here on RV.net
htt07rv
there aren't any instructions because every trailer is different. i just put a block of 4x4 in front of the gap and eye-balled the angle.
i'm a lousy woodworker and i made them myself. if i can, anyone can.
just get 4 blocks and ballpark the angle. it's not that critical to be perfect. they just need to wedge in-between the tires.
Dan- Firefighter, Shawn- Musician/Entrepreneur, Zoe- Faithful Golden Retriever, 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche LS, 2007 Rockwood Roo 23SS w/Equalizer and Prodigy, and 5 Mtn. bikes and 2 Road bikes
cabela's or gizmo bunk covers work for the heat, the light (dark) and for the cleaning being easier. wouldn't go without them. reflectix in the bunk end windows work for heat, for cold, for light (dark), and noise. Wouldn't get rid of those ever either (although we had to adjust the size from the pup to the htt) The regular wheel chocks, we had wide to begin so those are carryovers from pup to htt. The between-the-tire chocks work to stop movement inside and for those, our dealer gave us a set of the yellow ones. However, the boy back in the store that gathered all the "freebies" picked up the wrong ones and gave us the set that only goes to 5" or so between, so I took off one end and cut the wood block for the narrow end and left the plastic on and used the metal bolt through that was free. It's on the list of pictures to take and post later.
I have a copy of the plans for the wooden chocks but I am cluless about how to post em here. They showed the wide part to be 8.5 in the narrow 5.625 with a 22degree angle. Used 3/4 all thread and a wing nut to tighten it. You should be able to figure out where the nuts and lock washers go . Bob
If you have ever taken a snooze in the afternoon when the sun is beating down on the bunkends and put your hand against the canvas, you will feel heat radiating from above. Put on the PUGS and the difference is incredible.
I have never flipped them from day to night, but I have from one day to the next when there is a great temperature difference. They work great!
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, Shawn- Musician/Entrepreneur
, Zoe- Faithful Golden Retriever
, 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche LS, 2007 Rockwood Roo 23SS w/Equalizer and Prodigy, and 5 Mtn. bikes and 2 Road bikes
. Bob
