Over the spring, I did a little digging on how to attach Popup Gizmos to a HTT. Here's a step-by-step pictorial on how I mounted them.
We have three bunks in our HTT. I ordered all three bunkend covers with the loop-side (soft-side) Velcro already attached (sewn in). I believe it cost another $7 per cover.
I managed to find a "get 5' free" version of this 15' roll of 2" wide Velcro, and the 20' worked just about perfect for my three bunks, with about 6" to spare. I probably could have just used the 3/4" wide stuff instead of the 2", but I bought it before I received the Gizmos. At least with this, I don't have to worry about being too precise with the placement when I put the Gizmo up and always get full holding power.
First, I cut the hook-side Velcro to the right length (width of the Gizmo). Since the inside lip of my bunk doors is about 1.5" wide, I used a pair of scissors to cut the hook-side lengthwise to the appropriate width.
I usually just use a step stool to climb up onto, and kneel on the open bunk with the tent down. It's strong enough to hold two adults sleeping (or not sleeping), it should hold me just fine while I'm attaching the Gizmos. The only thing to be careful of is to not pull on the tent material - you don't want it to rip or pull out.
I cleaned the area, then carefully applied the Velco, trying to keep it as straight as possible. The Gizmos were slightly wider than the top lip of the door opening, so I also wrapped it about 3" down each side. It's best to let the adhesive set for a while before attaching anything to it, otherwise it may pull free.
A closer shot of the corner (ugh.. it needs a bath). It also shows the inner gasket. The outer gasket contacts the areas where the screws are.
Fold the shock-cord sleeve under, then fold over about 3" on the side.
Next, push the folded bit above into the corner, and start to run it across the door frame and back down the other side. I usually go back over it to make sure the Velcro is pressed in well.
Set up the bunk.
I don't use the top shock cord, since it just pulls down against the Velcro. In the picture below, it's just dangling right above the tail light. After this step, I'll just tuck it up under the Gizmo. I may remove it at some point in the future. Attach the shock cords under the bunk, and you're done. If you count the shock cords, starting with #1 being the outermost shock cord, I usually connect #1 to the opposite #3, #2 to it's peer, and #4 to its peer. I find this helps make sure that #1 doesn't pop loose. I've thought about getting a ring of some sort and attaching all of the shock cords to the center ring, but haven't tried it yet.
Your HTT might have a slightly different bunk door design, but you're likely able to do something similar what I did here. Unfortunately, with my door design, there's no way for me to leave the Gizmos permanently attached seeing as the only place to attach the Velcro is between the two seals.
[quote author=JoeCamper link=topic=1026.msg9532#msg9532 date=1322009334]
In the summertime, you put the silver out to reflect the sun, in cooler weather you want to flip them to hold the heat inside. We don't have a/c and they make a big difference.
i do the same but Bob from PUGs, states that they've found that flipping the PUG doesn't make any difference, temp-wise.
he said that it's not necessary to flip the silver side down to keep in heat, during cold weather camping.
[quote author=Clayt link=topic=1026.msg9555#msg9555 date=1322137933]
So. if that's the case...why the color variations?
PUGs aren't like the canvas of popups/hybtrids. i think the color variations are because that's how the material PUGs are made from comes from the manufacturer.
they're made from the same material that the the generic 5x7 solar/survival/sportsmen/all-weather blankets you buy from REI, Cabela's, Campmor and other places, are made from.
[quote author=fmbhappycamper link=topic=1026.msg9588#msg9588 date=1322365669]
Do the ones with clamps rust? ???
i guess if you left them out for months, they might.
not sure why you would leave them on that long.
heck, i used office binder clips on my original solar blankets, for 4 years and they never rusted.
@Joe: Thanks!
@Clayt, bikendan, Joe: I had a conversation with Bob about which side to face out, and he said that the silver side should always be facing open air. I suggested that it might be a good idea to flip them over during cold weather to make best use of the sun by using the dark color to help accumulate heat during the day and radiating it into the bunk end. He countered saying the gain during the day would be minimal, and wouldn't help during the evening, and flipping them over might actually cause greater heat loss when it's dark.
@fmbhappycamper: I have the Super High Wind gizmos and have never used the clamps. I have used them for other purposes, though, and they do rust if repeatedly left out in the rain and not dried off. However, I've not had a big problem with it.
Reflectix is relatively rigid by comparison (think thin bubblewrap with aluminum foil on both sites, and you've got the idea), and I've only seen it in 4' widths. It's usually best used in the windows as inserts due to the rigidity and size. Others have used space blankets instead of Gizmos.
I think the color just gives a warm fuzzy to whomever ordered it, and comes that way with a color on one side from the manufacturer as bikendan suggested. I believe I heard Bob@PUG say he might just drop all but one color at some point, although I can't remember whether that was my conversation with him or an interview I listened to.
I bought my second set of gizmos...high wind for my Niagara. I do feel a big difference, summer and winter. I don't usually have an issue with the PUGs pulling out from the bunk end roof frame, but have more issues with the one on the dinette. I've purchased the velcro dots but have yet to put them on. Time will tell.
Pattie,
The velcro will make a big difference in keeping the PUGs in place.
We used homemade solar covers on our Flagstaff but those won't fit the Niagara and I don't have enough blankets to make a set to fit. We took advantage of the Black Friday sale and got the Super High Wind set for the bunkends and a High Wind for the dinette. Ordered them last Friday and they were at the post office Thursday -- can't complain about that kind of service! The workmanship looks excellent.
We talked about getting the regular HW style since the price wasn't much different from the sale price on SHW style but decided that having the shock cords and clips would be a lot easier than putting clips in place along the sides of the bunk ends, especially with the height of the Niagara.
John
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