» RV / Camper

Canopy Client Expands its Offerings

admin — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 15:27:09 +0000

As we manage several clients that sell a combination of tarps and canopy structures, it only seems natural that nearly all would carry some combination of these products. This client of ours, Canopy Hut, recently expanded its products in terms of structures. Generally, a canopy website has a blend of both permanent outdoor shelters like portable garages and pop-up canopies, such as EZ-up canopies, party tents, and wedding tents. Canopy Hut expanded its offerings in both of these areas, including adding such additional permanent structures like RV and boat canopies and other pop-up structures like trade show canopies.

For permanent outdoor canopies, what is the difference between a portable garage and an RV or boat shelter? Typically, it’s the size and the selection on Canopy Hut’s new product pages reflects this. The shelters on the boat canopy page can cover at least one boat, while the RV shelters are all long canopy structures with walls designed to cover at least one RV. The larger RV shelters are both wide and long to hold two RVs. In addition, other permanent outdoor shelters Canopy Hut now carries include car canopies, which are enclosed or open carports for one or more cars to fit under in all kinds of weather. All of these permanent outdoor canopies are by Shelterlogic.

The other new products now offered by Canopy Hut are temporary shelters that can be set up outdoors with ease. These shelters are called party tents, pop-up canopies, or wedding tents depending on the size – wedding tents are typically the largest of this kind – and Canopy Hut now has trade show canopies. If you’re planning on attending a trade show outdoors with many items to protect, one of these canopy structures can be folded up in your car and can be set up quickly once at the trade show. As this canopy is only for temporary use, it is designed to be taken out, put up, and transported with ease.

RV Maintenance Basics

admin — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 12:37:36 +0000

Although it’s the time of year when an RV might be coming out of storage for a camping trip, by October, the RV will be going back into storage. Whether you’re a new RV owner or you’ve owned one for a few years, keeping the RV in good shape is key for it lasting several years, particularly as an RV is a significant investment.

As mentioned in past posts on this blog, two ways to protect an RV from the elements during the months not in use include a canopy shelter, much like a large carport or portable garage, is an option for protecting an RV and so is a large polyethylene tarp. Both methods allow for breathability and will prevent mildew and rot from forming and damaging the surface of an RV and will keep out UV rays which also have such damaging effects on an RV like fading the outer paint coating and damaging indoor plastic parts. Another option to increase breathability inside an RV is with an RV vent, which can be seen in the following YouTube video:

When purchasing an RV cover, be it an RV tarp or an RV canopy, the vent also needs to be taken into account when choosing the size of the shelter. All appendages to the RV need to be added into the dimensions of the shelter for appropriate protection. One example can be seen in a video for the Shelters of America website:

The point showing enough space for the RV in the shelter, including any space for a vent cover, is approximately at 1:45. In the case of this video, the protecting shelter is a curved roof portable garage, with heavy duty polyethylene sides extending from one side to the other. In addition, the curved roof is beneficial in winter for preventing snow from accumulating on top. When choosing an RV canopy, make sure that the shelter is large enough for the RV to have space inside and has side and back walls and a zipper door in front. For additional breathability for the vehicle, an RV vent cover would allow air inside the vehicle while the overall vehicle is being protected from the elements.

What to Use to Protect Your RV

admin — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 15:25:14 +0000

Like all seasonal vehicles, an RV needs solid protection for a significant part of the year. Protection for an RV should keep out water and UV rays but be breathable enough so that moisture does not develop under the cover. Two options for protecting an RV include using a portable garage and a large heavy-duty poly tarp. Without any type of protection from the elements, repeated and intense UV exposure will cause the paint to fade and will cause external and internal cracks, including cracks in plastic furniture, shower devices, walls, and ceilings inside the RV. Water, similarly, will allow for rot and mildew to form on the outside of the vehicle.

Protecting an RV with a portable garage is a long term solution. The portable garage itself is a low-maintenance structure and the structure consists of a metal frame supporting a metal or polyethylene canopy. The portable garage needs to partially enclose the vehicle to allow for circulation, and, if a polyethylene canopy is used, the material is breathable and is both UV and anti-fungal treated. Therefore, the structure will keep out the sun, which fades the RV’s paint and created internal and external cracks in plastic, and allows for circulation to prevent dry rot and mildew. The structure itself can stand up to high winds (up to 95 MPH) and snow.

Another short-term solution to protecting your RV is with a tarp, which is usually referred to as an RV cover. Similar to a portable garage, an RV is a heavy-duty tarp made from polyethylene which is UV treated and, because of its breathability, will allow moisture not to be trapped under the cover and cause mildew and dry rot. When choosing an RV cover, try to find one that is custom fit, as opposed to one size fits all. The size of your RV is not only determined the vehicle’s dimensions but also by any appendages, such as an air conditioner.