attached screen room

[dtappy3353]

does anyone have experience with canopy attached screen rooms?

[mobeewan]

I have a Carefree with an Add-a-Room for winter camping. The trailer came from the mfg with the awning and I had the dealer "install" the add-a-room. It uses twist fittings (turn buttons?) which are mounted to the side of the trailer. I have metal siding and the dealer added most of the twist fittings where there was no existing wall framing under them. They could have added the fittings a few inches over to the side of where they installed them and adjusted the canopy material to suit, but never asked me. It would have been okay to have just done it since the panel would then only taper in at the top a little. As it was they also stripped half the screw holes in the sheet metal since apparently no one knew what a clutch was for on a drill driver so all the turn buttons wiggle since the screws are loose. They also tore off pieces of 1 inch putty tape and smeared a dab under each one and didn't even scrape away the excess blobs sticking out. If I had it to do all over again I would have also purchased the optional Snapless Side Upgrade Kit which does not even use the turn buttons and help the panels fit against the trailer wall better. It also looked like they used a machete to cut the piece that fits along the bottom of the trailer wall where it is supposed to fit around the steps. I like the Add-a-Room, but wish they knew how to install one properly. When I raised #@%$ about the job they did, all they did was refund me the installation fee.

[kalynzoo]

When the kids were young we had a Colorado Awning Room which attached to the awning of the Class C. It was easy to install: Slide the top of the wall into the awning track. Zipper up the two sides, attaching them to the RV side with snaps (That had to be riveted into the side of the RV). A couple of side support extension bars, and we had a fully enclosed room. The kids loved it. I don't know if they still make a canvas room, I have seen Colorado Screen Rooms at RV shows. Fun memories from times gone by.
Happy Trails.

[JohnG3]

We had a couple of Glendale Titanium 5th wheels with the "Bug Room" option and liked it a lot. Simple to set up, just slide the "floor" out from under the trailer and set the screwdown jacks, unhook and raise the rear cap cover (that becomes the room's roof). Then zip in the screeen. A 10 minute or less process. Too bad Glendale went out of business and the rear cap was a poor construction flaw. Made a replacement out of aluminum on our last one and was a lot better.

[CortezCapt]

My grandparents always had a screenroom that attached to their awning however only used it when once a year. We debated getting one when we bought our TT and have decided to wait. We already have a 10x10 quick shade c100 found a screen enclosure for it for 49.00 on amazon. Its nice to be able to use it for other things when we don't have the TT with us. It is very easy to get down if there is a storm and if it gets torn up the 199.00 canopy and 49.00 screen is a lot less to replace then a 400.00 screen plus a new awning. We also have a small bug zapper that we found at Kmart .

[relaxin]

I had one with my TT and am looking to get one for the fiver, only used in places where the bugs were to much a neusance, it served to reduce the bugs in the trailer by about 90%, previous to it I would have to spend about half an hour killing flying insects before bed, now just kill a couple at most.

the one from our TT is wayyyyy to short to fit the fifth wheel,,, won't even touch the ground.

set up time??? was a "patti-o-room" and could have it up and together in about 20 minutes, but like I said only used it where the bugs were bad, and just as much to keep them out of the main part of the trailer that for just somewhere to sit with reduced bugs

[MichDoc]

I'm with most of the others. We got one for our 35 footer and used it once. After taking it down, we stored it in the basement, and bought a free-standing one instead. Used that one for years, the attached one is still in the basement. Don't waste your money.

[RoyB]

We use a couple of the 20-inch box fans to keep the mosquitoes away...

I also have a setup usually at the back side of the picnic area with a couple of desk lamps pointing up into the tree which reflects down a nice soft light where we are sitting. This draws all those big boy bugs over there hehe...

Roy Ken

[sowego]

We've seen long term campers use them but they must be anchored like a solid roof. High winds, heavy storms can take them and your awning Bye Bye to put it cutely! Most of the time we end up getting enough rough weather we need the awning if we use it at all to be quick and easy to roll in.

If I were to want a screened room I'd buy a separate unit to set up on the lot if it is allowed.

[amandasgramma]

And we have the opposite viewpoint. We have one on our 5th wheel and have used it for years. 1) To be able to sit outside without being bugged by the mosquitoes is a blessing, 2)We can take it down in less than 10 minutes.....we've proven it, 3) Not all that hard to store, they come with bags - we just make room for it, and 4) with a mat on the ground, our cats can go in and out without us having to walk them on a leash.

DH just now is finishing a screen door to attach to the room. It may be a little harder to hang or take down. We don't care. My back was objecting to bending over and zipping up and down. It was really a PITA when it came to carrying food out to join our friends for BBQ. The screen door is a blessing.

[Islandman]

We had a Patty-O-Room several years ago on our Holiday Rambler Class A, it was very handy if you were going to be in a place for several days or needed the extra room for more people. Our kids would sleep in it rather than their pup tent that they liked. But it is a big heavy bundle when you take it down, might have trouble finding a place to store it if you have a MH. Probably no problem if you have one for a TT, just throw the bag in the TV. A separate screen room is much less trouble and cheaper too, but it isn't next to the RV so there is a loss of the "adjacent feeling", sometimes that's good though!

[robsouth]

We had one years ago that attached around the front awning area. Used it one time. Sold it at a yard sale. PIA!

[camperpaul]

DiskDoctr wrote:

Bottom line: They are very nice and convenient to use- if you have the patience to setup and tear down 😉

One thing to consider:

How fast can you tear it down when your WX alert receiver tells you a thunderstorm with 60+MPH winds is going to hit you in five minutes.

[DiskDoctr]

They *really* add (private) living space to your camper. We didn't set ours up on the PUP unless we were staying at least 3 days.

We have one for our HTT now, but are holding up installing it (have to add mounts to camper walls) until we mod to a longer awning.

We use a Guide Series (Gander Mountain brand) quick popup shelter/screen room, which we now use just about all the time. The fabric is aluminized (silver) on the inside, which really helps reflect the brutal sun.

We put in 2 small plastic folding tables, keep storage containers under the tables, and run an extension cord from the 20a plug on the pedestal to provide separate power to the room.

We use the toaster in the room and have even cooked with the electric skillet in there when it was raining. We added a new (larger) awning mat to our camper this year and moved the old one to the screen room.

If you run a small fan in there, it helps keep the bugs at bay.

It also has 3 solid panels you can roll up or down for privacy, which is something the attached rooms will mostly do, too.

Bottom line: They are very nice and convenient to use- if you have the patience to setup and tear down 😉

[georgelesley]

Getting them on/off and bug tight is a pain. Not worth the trouble unless you plan to stay in one location for a long time. Maybe then. Otherwise forget it carry a small free standing screen room.