Once you’ve determined that RV skirting is the right choice for your rig, it is essential to do a little bit of research between various brands. Of course, the price is always a concern, but you should also consider the product’s longevity and how it attaches to your trailer. No one wants to be stuck with a labor-intensive project that they can’t sell later down the road when it’s time to upgrade.
Here is a list of the most common techniques used to install RV skirts on the market today:
Upholsterer Installation
When RV skirting was still new to the market, an upholsterer used to have to travel to you and custom-fit your rig. Not only is the process of finding an upholsterer with this skill set difficult — especially on the road– but, also in the fall and winter months, their pricing is astronomical, and their waitlist is unrealistic.
Tucking Plywood or Styrofoam Boards
This is an inexpensive method for protecting your pipes; however, it requires precise measurements and ample storage space when it is time to relocate. Not to mention, your new location will have different ground levels causing those products to need adjusted and often more money buying new because they won’t work. Also, neither of those products is intended to last for long periods. Both styrofoam and plywood rapidly break down with UV and water damage. Plus, their attachment process typically requires tucking them up underneath the lip of the vehicle, which does not provide the necessary protection against wind gusts. All too often, this method flies away during the first big storm.
Drilling Snaps or Turn-buttons
Vinyl RV skirting not only protects your pipes from the freezing cold of winter, but the material also allows you to easily fold it for storage while traveling or otherwise not in use. These products are phenomenal for their intended usage; they effectively keep the underside of your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. However, not all products are created equal. Snap-style skirting systems frequently require the stressful task of drilling permanent holes into the exterior of your home. Not only are the holes unsightly, but the gaps between the snaps let out the air that you are trying to trap.
Rail Systems
Our new R-Skirt method of skirting your camper is currently sweeping the market because it checks off the whole list:
- The rail system adheres to the outside of your RV, allowing you to easily slide the RV skirting in and out, as necessary, without hiring an overpriced upholsterer. We also keep our panels at 10 ft or shorter to allow easy installation for 1 person.
- The railing adheres to your home with the military-grade 3M VHB adhesive, which has prolific uses throughout our nation’s military vehicles, including helicopters; meaning it is ultra-durable but does not leave holes. (We do advise screwing the track on for longevity. There are places where we will have to put screws in your unit.)
- The rail eliminates the unnecessary gaps noted in the snap systems. Your investment will truly trap in your hard-earned money and trap out the unwanted elements.
- Finally, since it is made of high-grade PVC-coated vinyl sheeting, this RV skirting will not deteriorate and is easily foldable for out-of-season storage. It is UV Protect, mold-resistant, and flame retardant.
The Best of All Worlds
If you are looking for a cost-effective way to protect your investment from frozen pipes and unwanted damage, our R-Skirt using a rail system is the way to go. The makers of this one-of-a-kind product, The Skirting Company, have lived life as a full-time family and designed the skirting with you in mind. This do-it-yourself system truly fulfills all of your needs. If you’d rather have it professionally installed, we would be more than happy to take care of that for you. We would love to hear your questions and comments. Don’t hesitate: call our office today at (574) 402-0055 to find out what our skirting can do for you.
Sources:
https://www.tripsavvy.com/how-to-insulate-an-rv-4115346
https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/company-us/all-3m-products/~/3M-VHB-Tape-5952/?N=5002385+3293242417&rt=rud