What Is RV Skirting & Why Is It Important?
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For those who embrace the thrill of the open road and the freedom of a nomadic lifestyle, recreational vehicles (RVs) are the embodiment of adventure. Camper skirting, trailer skirt, 5th wheel skirting, and travel trailer skirting are terms that might not be as familiar as the allure of the open highway, but they play a pivotal role in optimizing the RV experience. However, as the seasons change and winter’s chill sets in, it’s crucial to understand the importance of RV skirting. In this article, we will delve into the world of RV or camper skirting, exploring what it is, why it’s essential, and its various benefits.
What is RV Skirting?
RV skirting, also known as camper skirting, trailer skirt, 5th wheel skirting, RV skirting, underpinning, or travel trailer skirting, is a protective barrier installed around the lower perimeter of your RV. This barrier is typically made of various materials such as vinyl, insulated panels, or snap-together systems, and its primary purpose is to enclose the space beneath your RV. This seemingly simple addition plays a crucial role in enhancing your RV’s performance and comfort during colder months, as it contributes to energy efficiency, temperature regulation, protection against the elements, enhanced aesthetics, and pest and rodent prevention.
The benefits of RV skirting, however, extend well beyond winter. Even during the spring and summer, it offers a range of advantages that can significantly enhance your RV experience. Maintaining a comfortable temperature inside your RV during hot summer days is essential. However, running the air conditioning continuously can be costly and wasteful. Without proper insulation, cold air from your A/C can escape through the floor, attempting to cool the outdoors, while rising heat accumulates beneath your trailer and enters your living space.
Benefits of RV Skirting and Why It’s Important
Energy Efficiency
One of the most significant benefits of RV skirting is its contribution to energy efficiency. When you skirt your RV, you create an enclosed space beneath it, effectively sealing off the area. This barrier prevents cold drafts from infiltrating your RV, reducing the strain on your heating system. As a result, your RV remains warmer, and you can enjoy a cozier interior without constantly cranking up the heat. Areas that are especially beneficial are the bone-chilling thin-walled and floored slide-out areas. Proper RV skirting will heat these colder areas by providing heat rising to the underside of your floors.
Temperature Regulation
RV skirting also aids in temperature regulation. In hot weather, it can help keep your RV cooler by blocking the sun’s direct rays, reducing the need for excessive air conditioning. In colder climates, it acts as an insulator, maintaining a more consistent temperature inside your RV. This means that you’ll use less energy and enjoy a more comfortable living space year-round. This regulation of temperatures can also reduce the amount of condensation that builds up with fluctuating temperatures.
Protection Against the Elements
As you travel from place to place, your trailer faces various weather conditions, from rain and snow to wind and dust, which is why you would need protection like skirting. RV skirting serves as a protective shield against these elements. In winter, it guards against frigid temps that can quickly create thousand of dollars in damages to your plumbing system in turn forcing you to take your home to a repair shop and bunk up in a hotel.
Pest and Rodent Prevention
One often overlooked benefit of RV skirting is its role in pest and rodent prevention. Without proper skirting, small creatures like mice and insects can find their way into the underside of your RV, potentially causing damage and hygiene issues. Skirting acts as a barrier, reducing the risk of unwanted visitors and maintaining a pest-free environment.
Extra Storage Space
RV skirting offers more than just insulation and protection from the elements; it’s a strategic solution for maximizing storage in your RV, particularly advantageous for 5th-wheel owners. By installing RV skirting, you create an enclosed space beneath your RV, perfect for stashing bikes, motorcycles, coolers, chairs, and other bulky items that would otherwise clutter your living quarters or rooftop storage. This additional storage not only enhances organization and convenience but also frees up valuable interior and exterior space, allowing for a more enjoyable and uncluttered travel experience.
Security
RV Skirting is also a savvy security measure for safeguarding your valuables on the road. By enclosing the underside of your RV with skirting, you create a discreet hiding spot for your belongings, keeping them out of sight and away from prying eyes. This added layer of security is especially beneficial for 5th wheel owners, as it provides a concealed space for storing expensive items like bikes, motorcycles, coolers, chairs, and more, reducing the risk of theft or tampering while you’re on the go. With RV skirting, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing that your valuables are safely tucked away, whether you’re parked at a campground, exploring remote destinations, or simply taking a pit stop along your journey.
Maintenance and Care
To maximize the benefits of 5th-wheel skirting, it’s essential to understand the importance of regular maintenance. While skirting itself is relatively low-maintenance, it’s vital to conduct regular inspections and cleaning to ensure its continued effectiveness. Here are some key points to consider:
- Inspections: Regularly check the condition of your skirting. Look for any tears, holes, or areas that might have come loose. Address these issues promptly to maintain the barrier’s integrity.
- Cleaning: Clean your skirting as needed. This helps maintain its appearance and ensures that it functions optimally. Use a gentle cleanser to avoid damage to the material, like soapy water. Similar to a tent, if you have portable skirting, never store your skirting with moisture on it. Moisture can quickly turn to mold, rotting your investment. Furthermore, most manufactures will not cover this in their warranty.
- Repairs: If you notice any significant damage, such as a tear or a broken fastener, repair it immediately. Ignoring such issues can lead to compromised performance.
Different Types of RV Skirting
There are various types of RV or camper skirting available, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Let’s explore some of the most common options:
Vinyl Skirting
Vinyl skirting is one of the most popular choices for camper owners. It’s relatively affordable and offers excellent protection against the elements. Vinyl skirting is easy to install and provides a clean, finished look.
Perhaps the greatest benefit of vinyl skirting is the fact that its portability ads to its nomadic lifestyle that most RV owners need. Even though vinyl skirting can be very heavy duty, it is still very portable. A professional designed and crafted vinyl skirting with a good attachments system that seal out the elements can create a great R Value, but still have the benefits of looking great, yet being portable.
Insulated Skirting
For those planning to spend extended periods in extreme weather conditions, insulated skirting is an excellent choice. This type of skirting is designed with thermal properties, providing enhanced insulation for your RV. It helps maintain a comfortable interior temperature even in the harshest winter conditions. While insulated skirting is more expensive, it can significantly reduce heating costs over time. A down fall is that it adds a significant amount of bulk, which may not make it ideal for packing up and re-use.
Additionally, if your insulated skirting is made out of foam board one should take in consideration how long your RV will be located in that exact same spot. If your RV park allows it and you will not be moving for several years, foam board insulation can be an excellent option. If you do move frequently, not only does foam insulation take up a lot of travel space, like plywood or OSB, it will not adjust to the ground at your next RV site. Thus, creating to have to add and subtract foam to make it seal to the ever changing topography.
Snap-together skirting
Snap-together skirting is a convenient option for RV owners who want a balance between protection and ease of installation in their camper. It typically consists of panels that connect and snap together at their attachment point, creating a secure barrier around your RV. Snap-together skirting is easy to set up and take down, making it a practical choice for those who frequently move their RV.
Snap-together skirting is a lower budget option for those looking to DIY. This is mind, if you are in colder climates you will want to factor in durability, ease of use, and how energy efficient the product is. In many cases the old adages can apply…”you get what you pay for” can apply.
A huge advantage in snap-together skirting is its initial price point. It is a less expensive option to secure your RV Skirting to your home and there are even some DIY companies that will sell you kits. With that in mind there can be some extra hindered costs that may not make that initial investment as attractive.
The main purpose for most skirting owners is to create a more comfortable living experience while keeping energy cost down. Something to consider is that snaps have gaps. Whether we are talking button snaps or turn snaps your skirting is only as energy efferent as your weakest point. Snap on skirting creates gaps usually every 10″-12, creating a space for elements to get in and your precious heat to escape.
In addition, in climate that have extreme seasons, your skirting material can expand and contract, creating stress on your snap system, often leading to unnecessary damage to your skirting and/or your RV by pulling out the snaps.
Custom Skirting
While all the aforementioned options have their merits, custom skirting is often considered the top choice for RV owners who want the best combination of precision, durability, portability, aesthetics, and effectiveness. Custom skirting is tailored to fit your RV’s exact dimensions, and our No-Snap, No-Gap channel system ensures a seamless and snug fit. This precision is essential for providing the highest level of protection against the elements and maintaining energy efficiency, while allowing for an easy install.
Custom Skirting, is an essential component for enhancing your RV’s performance and comfort, particularly during the winter months. From improving energy efficiency and temperature regulation to protecting against the elements, enhancing aesthetics, and preventing pests, the benefits of trailer skirting are numerous in your travel season. Make the right choice by opting for professional skirting, and ensure your RV remains a comfortable and inviting home on wheels, no matter where your adventures take you. But dont take their word for it, Go to their website and check out the 100’s of customer reviews.
Experience the Nation’s #1 Skirting Solution!
When it comes to your RV, you shouldn’t compromise on quality or convenience. At Custom Skirting, we blueprint and custom-tailor your RV skirting on-site, ensuring a flawless fit that provides unparalleled protection. Our exclusive “No-Snap, No-Gap” channel system seals out water, snow, and wind more effectively than any other product on the market. With over a decade of testing and improvements, our skirting has faced the harshest winters across the northern United States and Canada, emerging as the top choice for RV enthusiasts. Plus, its user-friendly design is ready to move with you whenever adventure calls.
Get Custom Skirting today, and experience the difference for yourself!