New ATC Cold Weather pack

[robcc]

Does any have experience with the newer material on the ATC cold weather pack. We spoke with ATC recently and they said the newer material is thicker and less breathable than old material. I guess they cannot get the old material anymore. He sent us a sample of this new material and it looks sturdy but not breathable with soft white layer (almost fleece). If you have experience with it:
1. Do you keep it on all year?
2. How does it handle condensation?
a. Does the white soft layer hold water or condensation?
3. Other advice and info?

 

[Murban]

I’m curious about this new material too.. My concern would be the breathability and the weight. I would want to leave it on full time. Also considering a diy based on ski3pin post on this forum. I was able to find a company that still has inventory of the evolution block it fabric. I called ATC and spoke with Jeff about the new material and how it is being received. I guess it’s too new for anyone to review.

 

[BlueSky]

Anyone out there have the new cold weather pack with the new material? How is it working out?

Thank you.

 

[BlueSky]

So the guys at ATC say the new cold weather pack material is vinyl and does not breathe. The old material, Kimberly Clark Evolution, did breathe. I think I want a material that breathes since condensation is sure to build up on the pop up material inner wall and when I put the top down in the morning it is going to stay wet in there, and that is not good. A breathable material has at least a better chance of drying out before I put the top down or even afterward. That's my logic and I'm sticking to it. Anyway, I found a supplier for the "Block-It Evolution 400" fabric... https://www.kinderindustries.com/ which I think is the same or pretty close to what the old cold weather pack was made of. I ordered 8 yards (about $10/yard) and by golly it showed up today, so I'll be following the Ski3pin directions to make my own. for some reason the Kinder Industries web site no longer lists the product, so maybe I got the last bit of it? Might be worth a call to them if you want it. Otherwise you'll have to buy an Evolution car cover for a van or something from Covercraft.

 

[Taku]

Never worried about breathability. just wipe it down. It seems for it to breath if it is like Gore-Tex the heat side inside the camper would push the water out to the side walls anyhow.

 

[kmcintyre]

There must be a material that's the best of both worlds. I mean people complained that the original material was too thin and now the vinyl doesn't breath. Maybe make one out of gortex or equivalent? I think if you made one yourself, the cost would be about the same as buying one. Now, I can't sew so it wouldn't work for me but there are a lot of people on these forums who have made one and I'm sure could do it.

 

[BlueSky]

With the new cold weather pack material, you have two vinyl walls with an airspace in between. Warm moist air from inside the camper will make its way into this airspace. If it is cold outside, condensation will form on the surfaces in this airspace. You will need to wipe it down and wait for the parts you can't reach to dry. With the old Evolution material the condensation will still form on the inner surface of the pop-up material, but the old cold weather pack material that breathes will at least dry faster. Perhaps in practice there is not a lot of difference between the old and new cold weather pack material as far as drying out the condensation. You do have a big gap around the windows allowing air flow into the air space in-between. However, I would still use the material that breathes if I can get it. If the old Kimberly Clark Evolution material were still readily available I am sure ATC would still be using it. It appears the the car cover company Covercraft is still using it, but other sources of Evolution have dried up. Neoprene would work, but it smells like, well, neoprene. Polypropylene fleece would work, but it may not hold the shape well. There's got to be a multi-layered breathable material out there that would fit the bill even if it were twice the cost of Evolution, assuming you go the DIY route. Remember, it is the air space that is creating the temperature control, so thickness of material is not that critical. Perhaps even a breathable tent material of some kind would work.

 

[KLillie]

I just picked up my camper Friday and the cold weather pack material is not vinyl.

 

[BlueSky]

I just picked up my camper Friday and the cold weather pack material is not vinyl.

Interesting. What is it? Got a pic?