23 replies to this topic

[shear]

So I have a 2005 Eagle and rolling up the flaps every day is a huge pain.  I was curious if there's any real purpose to them?  I know the newer models don't have them so I was curious what the difference is and if I'd be screwing myself by removing them?  

[craig333]

You can leave them rolled up when you lower the top. I did have to lower mine when I was in a hard rain.

[K6ON]

Yep, same as Craig, leave them rolled up till you need them.  The top goes down nicely with them rolled.

[kmcintyre]

The new version(s) have them lose and you attach them when you need them.  I've never put them on and I've been in some big wind/rain storms but we keep them stored in the camper "just in case".

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

I use ours as a sun/rain awning.When it's raining and you want some air in the camper it's nice to be able to open the inside flaps

and with the outside ones in awning mode it keeps the rain out but lets the air in.Plus the sun shade is nice also.

 

I have been in rainy conditions where the wind was blowing the rain hard against the liner and the flaps down kept the rain from seeping through the stitching.

 

Yes keep them rolled up ,the top lowers and the lined isn't effected buy them.

Frank

[Taku]

I have put the ones on our Ocelot (they are the detachable type) in some heavy sideways rain as it was leaking through the stitching. I have since used Aqua Seal to seal all the seams. That was only a couple of times, so not used very much.

[Alley-Kat]

Well, not really cut them off...

 

When I ordered my ATC Bobcat shell in late 2010, I really, really, disliked the black velcro showing on the side of the soft top material when the flaps were rolled up. 

 

So, I asked Marty & Jeff if they could leave off outside rain flaps and the black velcro, and they said they could do that.

 

I was aware of the "special" bottom corners that FWC created to keep the rain out when the flaps were rolled up, and that ATC didn't do that process, however, I thought I'd take a chance on not getting rain into the camper with the outside flaps absent.

 

So, far I've gone through many trips where it rained, the top was up, and no water inside the camper.

 

A year or two later, I noticed that ATC was offering outside flaps that were removal-able, however, still had the black velcro.

 

Edited by Alley-Kat, 11 June 2017 - 05:18 AM.

[klahanie]

Yes they're a bit of a pain. And rolling them up can be noisy and draw attention - rrrrip ! - which I dislike, but have left ours on to reduce possible water intrusion.

 

Full awning mod for ventilation is a good idea I haven't tried yet. For night I usually roll the rear flaps ~1/3rd of the way up and on an angle (for run off). Then I can still have controlled air flow inside with the overhead vents open and maintain the ability to look outside. The fronts I leave firmly down if at all concerned about rain because 1) I really don't want to chance any water in the bedding area and 2) because I hate getting up in the night to close them !

[Turbocity tom]

I use simple PVC pipe frames to make them into shade awnings- easy set up, work well

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks   Tom

 

[klahanie]

^ Nice ! thanks Tom. What do you use as a foot foot the poles and how does it perch on the camper rim ?