Winter Skirts?

[COLRetired]

Anyone had a skirt (the fabric kind) installed on their 5er? If so who did you decide to go with and are you happy with your decision? We'll be wintering over in Indiana this year, and probably for the next 3 years so skirting is something we should probably do. We also are planning on doing a bit of traveling this winter so the ability to take the skirt off and put it back on when we come back after a 2 week trip, or weekend get away to warmer weather is something else we'd like to be able to do. That being said, the skirt freezing onto the side of the 5er is a concern. The channel system for the skirts seems to have a better seal than the turn buckle, or snaps, but I'm afraid it would freeze on, or not be easily removed when we want to travel. Any and all suggestions are welcomed.

Thanks

Pete

 

[D2Reid]

We winter at a ski resort, as a result we use a skirt. We have gone through a couple of versions. Insulation board fitted around the bottom. We built our own skirt using a snap kit and heavy duty poly tarp. The RV park we stay at has adopted a no fixed material policy. It seems the county regulations are interpreted by code enforcement to state that if you have a wooden (or other similar material) skirt that can not be removed you are no longer an RV but a fixed residence and there are different codes for such buildings.

So after messing around with them for several years we finally broke down and had a professional build a skirt for us.

We shopped all across the western US. $1200 for a cheaper snap on type with light weight material. Around $2400 for a better one with better material. We waffled and shopped using the crappy skirt we built. When we purchased our new Momentum we decided to go ahead and spend the big bucks for a really good, professionally built skirt. Around $2800.

We had Custom RV Skirting in Rapid City, SD build the above skirt for the Mo. I am very glad we ponied up. This skirt is engineered specifically for our RV. It fits everywhere, no loose gaps at all. It looks nice. The material is heavy duty and remains supple in the cold. It used the track system and is easy to put up and take down. I kept breaking snaps off the other one. The really great part is the attention to detail. They built a heat shield to go around the generator exhaust. Septic connection has a custom zipper that fits snuggly around it. Slide trim was a nightmare when we built our own, they used industrial Velcro and custom fit around the slide trim. There are tie down straps sewn on the bottom, you can run pipe, 2x4's or other material through them to hold them down. They provided a box of metal tent stakes that you can drive through the tie downs to really make a snug fit. We don't use them because we are usually on a concrete pad.

The rail system does not collect moisture, so it doesn't freeze up. I did have a bit of melt off the roof create an icicle over a section. Hit it with my hand and broke the ice off. Then it slid ok.

We also got the slide out covers. They fit over insulation board to increase the insulation on the slides. Verdict is still out as to whether it was a good purchase or not. I will take a little more time putting them on this winter. They are a hassle and would not be good for moving around.

We don't spend that kind of money easily. In this case, I am very happy that we did. We got a professionally custom fit high quality skirt that looks good and works well. Superior in every way to everything else we looked at.

Can you tell I like it?

 

[COLRetired]

Thanks for the review. I called them last week and got a quote of $3,100 for my 384GK, and I'd have to drive to their location to get it installed = they aren't coming anywhere close to IN this year. They're really busy so that tells me they've got pretty happy customers like yourself recommending them. I like the idea of the channel as it makes a much tighter fit than snaps but need one this season as I'll be wintering over for the next 3 years so the earlier I get it the quicker it pays for itself.
Pete

 

[D2Reid]

I called them last week and got a quote of $3,100 for my 384GK, and I'd have to drive to their location to get it installed ...Pete

Yikes that's pricey. We came through SD during the summer when they were not as busy. Yep, we took a 1000 mile detour to get there. It's a huge commitment, time and money. There are certainly less expensive options out there. But I don't regret one bit the money we spent, not because it was an option, but because it is a necessity for extended extreme cold weather camping.

 

[khughes02]

Yikes that's pricey. We came through SD during the summer when they were not as busy. Yep, we took a 1000 mile detour to get there. It's a huge commitment, time and money. There are certainly less expensive options out there. But I don't regret one bit the money we spent, not because it was an option, but because it is a necessity for extended extreme cold weather camping.

Dallas,

Did you have any issues with freezing at all? Do you use a heater down below as well? Do you feel it made a significant difference in cabin comfort, use of propane?
We've got the Arctic Package but planning on 6 to 8 weeks with single digit lows and barely freezing highs.

Thanks.

 

[D2Reid]

Dallas,

Did you have any issues with freezing at all? Do you use a heater down below as well? Do you feel it made a significant difference in cabin comfort, use of propane?
We've got the Arctic Package but planning on 6 to 8 weeks with single digit lows and barely freezing highs.

Thanks.

Yes, -28f, I had minor freezing of the water pipes. Only lasted a few hours, nothing broke, didn't get a "hard" freeze. But it caused some concern.

I played with portable heaters somewhat, but in the end, monitoring the remote thermometers I couldn't find that they were effective at all. I know that occasionally a portable heater will supplement certain RV's enough to survive really cold temps. But in my Cedar Creek and in the Momentum I have not found them to be effective. Plus you have to keep in mind the effects of a heat source in an enclosed area when propane is around. Not something to fear particularly, just something to be aware of.

Cabin comfort is such a subjective thing. I believe it made a huge difference. I have multiple thermometers arranged in strategic places to monitor temperature in the winter. My thermometers didn't agree with me. They said there was only a moderate change, around 5f difference. Of course that was not a scientific study, it was just me looking at the things a couple of times a week. I

Propane usage is highly temperature dependent. Our first year with the skirt our total propane bill was significantly less than the previous year, but wait, the mean temperature was a lot warmer.

I cannot in good conscious tell you that a skirt will pay for itself in the long run. Without data to prove my belief it is my opinion that a skirt makes a big difference. I believe this so strongly I spent (what to us is) a lot money.