anybody have experience with air skirts for cold weather?

LanerC

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West central Montana
Air skirts look like they would work for long stay at a cold destination, however big bucks for a complete skirt around. Im thinking about swimming pool cover supports for skirting my camper. They come in about the same sizes but I would guess not as durable, but a lot less expensive. Donhasies pool supply has them. Any experience with inflatable skirts for campers?
 
Air skirts look like they would work for long stay at a cold destination, however big bucks for a complete skirt around. Im thinking about swimming pool cover supports for skirting my camper. They come in about the same sizes but I would guess not as durable, but a lot less expensive. Donhasies pool supply has them. Any experience with inflatable skirts for campers?
Anything that doesn't completely block off the underside from wind and cold will be ineffective. The air skirts, last I looked at them, left the area between the wheels open.
 
Air skirts look like they would work for long stay at a cold destination, however big bucks for a complete skirt around. Im thinking about swimming pool cover supports for skirting my camper. They come in about the same sizes but I would guess not as durable, but a lot less expensive. Donhasies pool supply has them. Any experience with inflatable skirts for campers?


Have you ever tried using inflatable swimming pool cover supports as a cost-effective alternative to expensive air skirts for your camper?
 
I looked at them when we were thinking about skirting. One of my concerns was the number of sharp edges, protruding screws, metal fender skirting turned up at the sharp corners, sewer pipe brackets - you get the idea - around the perimeter of our 310. I'm sure I would have one or more holes in inflatable skirting in short order. Another consideration for any kind of skirting is the bulk if you plan on packing up and moving the rig. Where do you store and carry that kind of bulk?

In the final analysis, with dual pane windows and supplementing with the fireplace and one portable heater, we go through precious little propane in the winter, anyway (we usually winter in southern NM or in the upper Chesapeake area at Aberdeen Proving Ground) where the winters are nearly as harsh as yours in central Montana. We stay quite comfortable and the added expense (and trouble) of skirting is not worth it for us. I'm sure your situation is different up where you are.

Rob
 
I looked at them when we were thinking about skirting. One of my concerns was the number of sharp edges, protruding screws, metal fender skirting turned up at the sharp corners, sewer pipe brackets - you get the idea - around the perimeter of our 310. I'm sure I would have one or more holes in inflatable skirting in short order. Another consideration for any kind of skirting is the bulk if you plan on packing up and moving the rig. Where do you store and carry that kind of bulk?

In the final analysis, with dual pane windows and supplementing with the fireplace and one portable heater, we go through precious little propane in the winter, anyway (we usually winter in southern NM or in the upper Chesapeake area at Aberdeen Proving Ground) where the winters are nearly as harsh as yours in central Montana. We stay quite comfortable and the added expense (and trouble) of skirting is not worth it for us. I'm sure your situation is different up where you are.

Rob

whoops, just saw this, Rob. Your response helps me to know what to expect in cold weather. Thanks! Happy Camping!
 
whoops, just saw this, Rob. Your response helps me to know what to expect in cold weather. Thanks! Happy Camping!

Looking back at what you quoted, I see I should have said "...aren't nearly as harsh..." I hope folks caught that it was a typo...

Rob
 
That does make a difference,ha ha, but I figured that. Have a great day. Lane

If you do end up going with skirting, let us know what you used and how it worked out. Could help someone in the future.
 
Air skirts look like they would work for long stay at a cold destination, however big bucks for a complete skirt around. Im thinking about swimming pool cover supports for skirting my camper. They come in about the same sizes but I would guess not as durable, but a lot less expensive. Donhasies pool supply has them. Any experience with inflatable skirts for campers?

I saw one person using them at a trial. When the wind picked up, I helped him recover and stow them.
 
If you do end up going with skirting, let us know what you used and how it worked out. Could help someone in the future.

Sure will, I think I will ease into cold camping in November, maybe down to 20F or so and see how that goes without skirting, then try 10 Fahrenheit. I have no desire to go colder than that if not necessary or by surprise. I mostly want to do it so I know what to expect in those necessary or surprised situations. Happy camping!
 
I watched a couple on youtube who went to Lowe's, bought one inch foam, cut it and just taped it on their RV. They were in heavy snow in some wintry place - they said it worked and cost them $250. Sorry, can't remember the name of the video but here's another one I didn't watch the entire video so I don't know what they paid for their foam.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ot9j0wT-GCE
 
I just found this, its not the freshest but ill add to it. I would love to post pics, but still cant seem to, even after 2 mods explained how. Its a different format than i am used to for a forum and cant master it. My first skirting ( rednecked ) is a great pic.

My first year, i moved into my 26 foot no slide forest river, cheap TT, i wanted to test the waters before retiring/leaving the man early.

My first skirting was perfect and solid, and a one time use. This was in Bath PA, not arctic temps but still can get cold in the winter and crappy. Being a electric lineman for the company, i want warm when i get home after working in the cold, and worked in quite a bit of storms, as well as double shifts. I used cut up pole pieces from one of 3 pole dumpsters to line the camper all around, then the heaviest clear plastic i could get. I stapled the plastic to the pole chunks and used 4 inch electric tape to adhere plastic to the camper. Worked perfect, some of the rest of the people were chasing the foam way of skirting down when it got windy, mine, solid. Wood went back in dumpster and plastic in another dumpster, in the spring. Perfect actually, as mice and rodents dont like the smell of treated wood.

Next i made skirting from new oiled canvas tarp. It sews really nice on a normal sewing machine. I installed snaps in the bottom of the camper and in the canvas. I installed metal eyelets in 2 locations vertical, for anchoring the skirting down with spikes put in at an angle. Rolled up when not in use it stores well. In the 7 years i had made that, i used it one time for a couple weeks, and just carried it around the rest of the time.

Neither was intended to be a fashion show, just when needed work.

Now, when i make a front area for the front of the 5ver to use as a shed/storage area, ill order used billboard sign material that is the same as the awning, use the inside for the skirt facing out, as its not printed on. Install 3M non drill snaps on 5ver and install snaps in the material, with a velcrow door and eyelets for the lower part to be anchored. This is more for front storage and have things neat and clean behind it. If allowed at the campground i am at at the time. I dont plan on being normally in the cold, as i am retired and full time and am mobile, but if i had to, i would do the same for the rest of the 5ver, all around for skirting.
 
Hey [MENTION=60017]lineman1234[/MENTION], thanks for posting this. It's always good to hear about real-world experience.
 
If someone could walk me through how to post pics. Its priceless to see my temp winter pic. They thought i was nuts but my stuff held fast and steady. the next pic would give people ideas on making there own, but using new ( sunbrella ) i believe the awning stuff or better/cheaper, using used stuff from companies that make the billboard signs. They get swapped out often for some adds.

I was going to make mine, the green stuff/skirting, on Thursday at all day sewing in the clubhouse, with the ladys, but made it outside at the camper in my spot. I would have stood out a bit. Im your typical farmer, biker, lineman, guys guy type.
 
Soundsailer. What part of NH are you in? There isnt to many roads i havent been on in that hole state, from restoring power form a storm or 3.

I moved to NH at age 22 back in 1986 right out of line school and worked for PSNH for 24 years, out of Manchester, then Hooksett, Then moved to PA and did another 8 and have been fulltimig ever since.
 

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