Why You Need RV Skirting
If you are an RVer, you know the importance of keeping your rig safe and protected. One of the essential things that can help you in achieving that is RV skirting. RV skirting is an excellent way to protect your RV from the harsh elements, especially during winter. It makes your RV comfortable, saves you money on fuel, and keeps your waterlines from freezing, among other benefits. Here are some reasons why you need RV skirting for your next adventure!
Prevents Heat Loss
Air can escape easily from underneath an RV, and that can cause the interior to lose heat, especially during winter. RV skirting prevents such heat losses by providing an additional layer of insulation. The vinyl or metal material acts as a barrier, keeping the cold air out and the warm air in, thus ensuring that the interior of your RV stays warm and cozy during winter.
Protects Plumbing
Freezing water lines is a common problem for RVers, especially during winter. RV skirting helps keep the underside of your RV warm, which prevents water lines from freezing. When the water pipes are kept warm, the water inside stays warm, and this prevents the pipes from freezing and bursting. Bursting water lines can be costly, and RV skirting can help you avoid that expense.
Controls Temperatures
RV skirting is an excellent way to keep your RV cool during hot summer weather and warm during winter, thus providing you with the desired temperature throughout the year. Since the skirting acts as an insulator, the heat from the sun does not penetrate the interior of the RV and thus prevents it from getting too hot inside. That’s why RV skirting is an excellent solution if you plan on traveling during extreme weather conditions.
Improves Fuel Efficiency
When you are traveling, every pound and inch count, and RV skirting can make a significant difference in fuel efficiency. By keeping the underside of your RV warm, insulation is increased, leading to less heat loss and fuel expenditure. RV skirting can reduce your fuel consumption and also you may save some money in the long run.
Offers Protection from Elements
RV skirting provides an additional layer of protection for your rig from the elements, such as wind, snow, and rain, which can cause damage and erosion at the lower parts of the RV. Skirting can block the wind, snow, and rain from getting underneath the trailer, keeping your tires clean, and protecting delicate, exposed areas from being damaged, leading to a longer lifespan of your RV.
Conclusion
As you can see, RV skirting is an essential investment for every RVer. It improves fuel efficiency, protects plumbing, and provides insulation from harsh weather conditions. By considering DIY RV skirting, you can save money to spend on other aspects of RVing. It’s time to protect your home away from home and make your next adventure a more comfortable and enjoyable experience.
Tools and Materials Needed for DIY RV Skirting
If you own an RV, you know that it’s essential to keep it well-maintained, especially during the winter months. One of the vital measures you can take to protect your RV during the cold season is to install skirting. Skirting will help in insulating your RV, thus keeping it warm. Here is a comprehensive list of the tools and materials needed for DIY RV skirting.
Tools:
To start with, you will need a set of basic tools to help you cut, measure and install the materials needed for the project. You may already have most of these tools at home, but purchasing the missing ones is an excellent investment for future DIY projects too.
- Tape Measure: It would be best if you had an accurate measurement of your RV to create the perfect skirting fit.
- Chalk Line: This tool will help you make straight-line markings on your fabric, which would reduce measurement error.
- Utility Knife: You’ll use this knife to cut through the materials needed for the project, so it’s essential to have a sharp and slightly heavy one to prevent hand fatigue.
- Staple Gun: A staple gun will come in handy when you’re attaching the fabric to the RV’s bottom sections.
- Sawhorses: This tool is optional; however, setting up sawhorses will help you have a workspace that’s off the ground. They will provide surface stability when you’re using the utility knife to cut through the materials.
Materials:
When picking out materials needed for RV skirting, you have two options: manufactured skirting or homemade skirting. If you intend to construct homemade skirting, here are some materials you’ll need to bring the project to life:
- Exterior Latex Paint: Painting your skirting material will provide it with mildew and UV ray protection. Also, with a darker color, it’ll absorb more sun rays, thus increasing heat efficiency. Remember, materials often come pre-painted; hence painting them may not be mandatory.
- Ground Cover Cloth: Ground cover cloth prevents stones, dirt, and debris from getting into your RV’s undercarriage. It also helps in keeping rodents from harboring in your insulation.
- 2×4 Lumber: You’ll use the 2×4 lumber to frame your skirting. Pick treated lumber as it’s weather-resistant and will survive the winter conditions – pressure-treated wood tends to last longer.
- Insulation: Insulation material will depend on your personal preference. RV’s typically have a rating of R-10 insulation, but a higher rating will be helpful in extremely cold temperatures.
- Coroplast: This is a corrugated plastic material that’s lightweight, durable, and water-resistant. It’s placed between the insulation and the outer cover to enhance insulation and durability.
- Heavy-Duty Fabric: A heavy-duty fabric is a crucial material in RV skirting DIY projects. It is used as the outermost layer to enhance durability and protect against moisture. You can use vinyl, PVC, canvas, among others.
- Fasteners: You’ll need fasteners to attach the fabric onto the RV’s lower brackets. Common fasteners include screws, socket cap screws, staples, toggle bolts- among others.
In summary, taking the DIY path for your RV skirting will save you a considerable amount of money, but it requires more effort and time. You’ll need the proper tools and materials for the project; otherwise, it may fail to work correctly. By following these guidelines and some professional YouTube tutorials on how to go about RV skirting, you should be able to create a customized, efficient, and protective RV skirting for the ultimate winter experience.
How to Measure and Cut the Skirting Material
One of the most important factors in creating DIY RV skirting is measuring and cutting the skirting material. This task can be challenging and time-consuming, but with the right instructions, it can be easily done. In this article, we will provide you with a complete guide to measuring and cutting the skirting material for your RV.
1. Measure your RV
The first thing you need to do is measure your RV. You need to measure the entire length of your RV from one end to another. Make sure to measure all the way to the ground and take the measurement from the bottom of the RV, not the top. This measurement will be the length of skirting material that you need.
2. Measure the Height
The second measurement you will need to take is the height of your RV. Measure from the ground to the bottom of your RV. This measurement will be the height of your skirting material that you need.
3. Measure the Width of Each RV Section
Next, you will need to measure the width of each RV section. You can use these measurements to determine how many sections you will need to cover your entire RV. The sections can be cut to size and installed separately or sewn together to create a larger piece of skirting material to fit your RV.
It’s important to note that RVs don’t have the same height and width measurements, so it’s crucial to customize your RV skirting according to its unique measurements. When measuring the width of each RV section, make sure to measure from one end to the other, taking into account any curves or angles along the way.
Uses a measuring tape and mark the skirting material with a pen or pencil as you go along. Repeat this process for every section of your RV, so you have accurate measurements of each section’s width.
4. Cut the Skirting Material
Once you have your measurements, you can proceed to cut the skirting material. When it comes to cutting the material, it’s essential to have the right tools. You can get a rotary cutter or a pair of sharp scissors that are strong enough to cut through the thickness of the material. Additionally, you can use a yardstick or straight-edge to ensure that your cut is straight.
Make sure to double-check your measurements before cutting to avoid unnecessarily cutting too much fabric.
5. Sew the Sections Together (Optional)
If you decide to create a larger piece of skirting material to fit your RV, you may need to sew the sections together. This process is super easy and just involves using a sewing machine to stitch the fabric together.
Line up the edges of the fabric you want to join and sew them using a simple straight stitch. Repeat the process until you have one large piece of fabric that fits your RV’s size and shape.
By following these steps, you will be able to perfectly measure and cut out the skirting material for your RV. The process may seem complicated at first, but with the right tools and a little bit of patience, you’ll be able to complete the task with ease. Plus, your skirting will look fantastic, and you’ll stay cozier inside your RV during challenging weather!
Step-by-Step Guide to Installing RV Skirting
RV skirting is essential for those who love traveling comfortably in their recreational vehicle (RV), especially during cold weather months. It blocks the gap between the RV’s body and the ground to keep cold air out, thus keeping the interior warm. To help you install RV skirting, below is step-by-step guidance to help you get started:
Materials Needed
Before starting, you need to gather everything you need for the task. Chances are high that you already have some of them in your home. However, you may need to purchase others. Here’s a list of materials:
- Vinyl or other insulation material
- Zip-ties or pins
- Self-adhesive snaps
- Fasteners or snap installation tool
- Scissors or cutting tool
- Tape measure
- Marker or a pen
Measurements
The first step is to know the length and height measurements of the RV. Start by measuring from one end of the RV’s skirting and take it to the other end. For the length, you can decide to measure from the ground or the RV’s wheels, depending on your preference.
Next, take the measurements of the RV’s height, starting from the ground to the base of the RV. Write down both measurements and note that a small overlap should occur at the ends to account for plastic shrinkage, elasticity, and snug fitting.
Cutting the Skirting Material
Once you have the measurements, it’s time to cut your skirting material. It’s advisable to use one-piece RV skirting for optimal protection, which you can cut from a long strip of vinyl material. The length of your skirting typically equates to the measurement you made for the length, plus the overlap.
Once you unroll your skirting material, ensure that you cut it straight. It’s also worth noting that the RV skirting tends to shrink or expand depending on the weather, so you may want to consider this while cutting.
Attaching the Skirting
The next step is attaching the skirting. You can use zip-ties, pins, or self-adhesive snaps to hold the skirt in place. Ensure that the snaps are level all around the RV, to prevent creasing and folding.
Fasten the skirting to the RV by installing snaps in neat intervals, following your measurements. Keeping the skirt leveled across the RV will improve its aesthetic appeal, and by attaching it in small intervals, you’ll prevent slack and wrinkles in the skirt.
Where physical attachment is not possible, use rock pockets to hold the skirt and keep it neatly pressed against the RV. Ensure that you only attach to existing areas of the RV and not drilling or making new holes.
Final Adjustments
Once you have the RV skirting installed, you should take a walk around and inspect it thoroughly. You may need to make slight adjustments for a perfect look, ensuring that the skirt is leveled all around.
The final step is cleaning up the area around the RV and ensuring that there’s no debris, which could cause potential damage to the RV’s skirting material.
Conclusion
RV skirting makes your RV’s interior more comfortable during cold weather, and with the above step-by-step guide, you can install your RV skirting with ease. With the right materials and equipment, you can complete the project and keep your RV cozy during those cooler months.
Tips for Maintaining and Repairing RV Skirting
DIY RV skirting is an excellent solution to ensure your RV stays warm during the winter. However, just like everything else, it requires maintenance and repair to stay efficient. Here are some tips on how to maintain and repair your RV skirting to keep its quality and help to avoid unwanted expenses:
1. Check for damages regularly
The first and most important thing to do is to check your RV skirting for any damages and tears regularly. If your skirting develops a hole or rip, it can significantly decrease its efficiency in preventing heat loss, and you’ll be wasting a lot of energy and money to heat your RV. So, always check for any damages and repair them as soon as possible.
2. Clean your skirting regularly
Cleaning your RV skirting is another essential part of maintenance. Over time, dust, dirt and debris may build up on your skirting, which can cause it to degrade, weaken and become less efficient. Therefore, clean your skirting regularly to remove any buildup of dirt. Use a mild detergent and a soft-bristled brush to scrub away dirt build-up and rinse thoroughly with a hose.
3. Store your skirting properly
When you’re not using your RV skirting, store it properly to avoid damage. Fold it up neatly and place it in a dry, clean area where it won’t get punctured or damaged. Proper storage will help extend the life of your skirting and keep it in top condition.
4. Protect your skirting from pets
If you have pets, it can be a challenge to keep them from scratching or chewing on the skirting. But unfortunately, if their nails or teeth damage your skirting, it can create tears that may lead to poor insulation or require costly repairs. So, do what you can to protect your skirting from pets. Consider installing a barrier that will keep your pets away, or trim their nails and teeth regularly.
5. Repair tears and holes properly
If you find that your RV skirting has a hole or tear, it’s essential to repair it properly as soon as possible. Depending on the extent of the damage, you may be able to patch it up with an adhesive, but for more significant rips or tears, it’s recommended to replace the damaged section altogether. It’s also important to use an adhesive that’s specifically designed for your skirting material to avoid damaging it even more.
Remember, DIY RV Skirting maintenance and repair are essential to keeping your RV comfortable during the winter months. Keep an eye out for issues and take the steps required to stay on top of these, and you’ll save money on energy while traveling and keep your RV skirting in top condition for years to come.