Awnings, rdomes, and screen rooms
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Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10209
Printed Date: 05 May 2024 at 3:44am
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Topic: Awnings, rdomes, and screen rooms
Posted By: cjscinta
Subject: Awnings, rdomes, and screen rooms
Date Posted: 20 Jun 2017 at 8:24pm
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when I bought my pod, I was torn between getting the rdome or the awning. Although the rdome has a lot of appeal to me I opted for the awning. I was worried that if the rdome was very difficult to set up I might opt to not use it at all. But I really want a screened in area mostly to keep the bugs out but also to give me a little more usable space. I know Thule sells the screen room that is not easily available in the US yet but I was looking for a temporary simple and inexpensive fix. Screen rooms on Amazon are easy to set up and I could take that option but then I wouldn't be able to utilize my awning efficiently. I started researching screening material and more specifically mosquito netting. I thought about buying a big piece of netting and velcroing it or draping it over the awning but didn't know how well that would work. Has anyone every tried this? Anyone have any experience with mosquito netting? Even if you haven't your input is appreciated. ------------- 2017 R-pod 179 |
Replies:
Posted By: sailor323
Date Posted: 21 Jun 2017 at 8:04am
| The Velcro idea might be doable. I'd try to look at screen rooms, not just rv screen rooms, to get an idea of how they are constructed. You'd probably want a door or two. I used to have a screen door that attached with Velcro to the door frame and magnets to hold the 2 sides of the opening closed |
Posted By: jimandclare
Date Posted: 21 Jun 2017 at 8:57am
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We're camping in northern Michigan right now. Beautiful morning here. Eating breakfast outside in our r-dome where we live while camping. This by far the most expensive tent we've ever purchased and wouldn't trade it for anything. ------------- Jim & Clare 2016 R-pod 178 2014 Ford Edge |
Posted By: Happy Tripping
Date Posted: 21 Jun 2017 at 12:39pm
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I admire your 'can do' attitude. I am not sure that your idea is very practical. Tent makers have put a lot of thought into the stresses encountered by a tent. I bought some no-see-um proof netting to patch various holes in my r-dome's mosquito netting. That worked. However, building something that keeps bugs out, especially along the skirt, while being strong enough to stand up to routine use, I am afraid would put you into the 'school of hard knocks' where you learn by doing, and repairing, and doing, and repairing, etc. Lots of people recommend 'easy ups' as an intermediate step before committing to one of the side tents. If you really want a side tent like the r-dome, I suggest you also look at PaHaQue side tents, altho I have no information on how well they stand up to use, and there may well be others out there. Good luck
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Posted By: cjscinta
Date Posted: 21 Jun 2017 at 3:36pm
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Thanks all. I think you are right happy. I am trying to simplify things, not make them harder. I might opt for a side tent. I will look into the PaHaque. ------------- 2017 R-pod 179 |
Posted By: Pod People
Date Posted: 21 Jun 2017 at 6:12pm
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We use both the R Dome and an awning that we made. the R Dome is excellent when we are staying in one location for more than a day or two. It offers shade, privacy and rain protection. It's best feature is the versatility of being able to open/close the front and sides to tailor the dome for your needs. It can be a screen room , an open shelter or an enclosed room. We have used it in all of the various layouts. The biggest knocks against the dome are that it is hard to put up. After putting it up several times, it becomes much easier and can be done by 2 people in about 10 minutes. We think it is well worth the effort to install it. Several tips will help make the job easier. File the ends of the channel so they are not sharp, check all of the screw heads to make sure they don't protrude into the channel and use silicone or WD-40 sprayed lightly into the channel. It helps to have marked the horizontal roof poles at the correct length before you start putting them up. We can reach the channel by standing on a sheetrock bucket-it is solid and safe. We also have a tarp that we made. We purchased an 8x12 heavy duty poly tarp. We put 5/16" sail slugs (12 pieces) along the long 12' side and these slide into the channel. We use 3 tent poles along the outside edge and have 2 guy ropes per pole pegged in the ground. It is sturdy, shady and offers some rain protection. One draw back is the 1/2" open space between the channel and the edge of the tarp that is created by the depth of the sail slugs. We have tried to make a "flap" to cover the space, but so far have not been very successful. We are still thinking about it and will continue to make something that covers the space. We have an "easy up" type of shelter, but don't like it for lots of reasons. We don't take it with us when we travel. We have seen some very nice screen rooms that other campers use-they look interesting , but not much use if it rains, even if it has a top. Generally, the sides are splayed out such that rain will get into the enclosure. They need to be staked at the bottom for insect proofing. I have not seen the new Thule awnings in person. they seem like a good idea and may also be a great addition. I know that Thule generally makes good products that are quality materials and well engineered. However, with my system, the same channel can serve both the R Dome and the tarp. It's not an "either or" situation. So, both the dome and the tarp travel with us. We use both of them depending on the circumstances. I think it's the best of both worlds. Everybody has their own ideas about what works best. Talk to others, look closely at the materials and craftsmanship and think seriously about how you will use the product you choose. Travel safe. Vann ------------- Vann & Laura 2015 RPod 179 https://postimg.cc/0zwKrfB9"> 
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Posted By: NoDak
Date Posted: 21 Jun 2017 at 7:49pm
| We just got the Clam and used it for the first time. Loved it! Got a package of 3 wind panels, and we were able to sit outside in the rain and stay perfectly dry. |
Posted By: kayzwayz
Date Posted: 22 Jun 2017 at 6:03am
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I have the Thule awning and was also looking for an additional enclosure. The Pahaque ONLY works if you have the rail for the r-dome....it does not work with an awning already in place, unfortunately! I also looked at awning rooms by Carefree of Colorado, which do not work with the Thule awning. I'm just hoping Thule brings their awning room to the US soon! |
Posted By: henryv
Date Posted: 24 Jun 2017 at 6:24pm
Pictures...a picture tells a thousand words. Especially of the tarp invention  ------------- |
Posted By: dianab
Date Posted: 26 Jun 2017 at 5:12pm
Yes. A thousand times, yes. We have a Dome that we haven't used yet and I'm pouring over all the Dome-tips, and there are a lot of them! Do I need to bring a ladder if I want to set this up? A practice run in the driveway is definitely in order.
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Posted By: pgoelz
Date Posted: 28 Jun 2017 at 8:32am
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Rdome setup: After setting our Rdome up a couple times I found that I can do it by myself easily, and in about 10 minutes or less. Some tips to make it easier.... this looks complicated written out but it really isn't. 1. As others have said, spray some silicone into the track and on the bead. It doesn't take much. Also, DEFINITELY smooth the very sharp ends of the track. 2. Cut a 45 degree chamfer on the ends of the bead to allow it to slide over any protruding screw heads in the track. 3. Push the bead into the track from one end. With the track lubed and the ends chamfered, it is an easy job to feed it all the way up and over our 171 from one end without assistance. No ladder or helper required. 4. Make sure you do not catch the tent fabric on the edge of the fender while you are feeding the bead into the track! The fender is sharp and can damage the fabric or even rip it. 5. With the bead fully in the track, feed the shock corded pole into the pocket and bow the Rdome with the strap but do not stake it down yet. If you will be using the front wall, zip it into place at this time. Don't zip it to the Rdome until the pole is inserted and bowed or it will be much harder to insert the pole. 6. Move the two front corners of the Rdome towards the trailer, which will lower the front of the tent enough that you can clip the roof support poles into place without a ladder. Once they are in place, make the front of the tent vertical and extend and lock the roof support poles. 7. I just stake the two front guy straps unless severe weather is expected. The tent is plenty strong with just the front guys staked. However, in high wind it is probably a good idea to also stake the two front corners so they don't bounce up and down. The Clam: We got a Clam shelter (the green one) before we bought the Rpod and we mostly love it. We carry it along with the Rdome and may use both at some point for more outdoor space. 1. BE SURE to use the guy ropes on EVERY panel of the shelter. If you do not, a sudden wind can collapse a panel and the rest of the shelter will come down in a chain reaction ;) This is doubly important if using the rain panels. 2. Beware that in a rain, there will be drips INSIDE around the periphery of the roof since water can run off the roof and UNDER the rain panels. 3. Clam makes a brown shelter similar to the green one that has a flap that is supposed to overlap the rain panels and allow water to run down the OUTSIDE of the rain panels. Unfortunately on the one we bought to replace our green one, the panels were a VERY poor fit and the flap missed them entirely in places. After extensive discussions with Clam they refused to do anything about it, saying ours was an unfortunate worst case stackup of tolerances. Sorry, too bad, sucks to be you. I was stunned and returned the brown shelter for a refund. We will continue to use the green one, which is MOSTLY dry, especially after spraying the roof with waterproofing. Before spraying it, water would run through in places where threads penetrated the roof at the seams. Also, the clam is not tall enough to snug against the Rpod door so you get wet going from one to the other. We still like it for its easy setup and large interior space. Paul |
Posted By: paddlewhisp
Date Posted: 23 Aug 2020 at 4:25pm
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Excellent information. Thanks for sharing! ------------- Paddlewhisp |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 23 Aug 2020 at 9:29pm
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Dome and Clam can make for a great space... https://postimg.cc/ctCV4kP6">  |
Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 24 Aug 2020 at 8:45am
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I never bother with guy ropes on my clam. I just collapse it where it its if I expect a gust front to come through. Takes all of maybe 30 seconds to drop it and another 30 seconds to pop it up again. And less stress on the fabric as it never has to resist wind loads.
------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |