A “Skirting” We Shall Go!

I mentioned in my last post that we are in the process skirting Ms. Bertha. Why are we dressing our baby up like this? Easy, I will be living in our lovely aluminum womb in Colorado over the winter – probably enough said! But I want to relay that my hope with this expenditure (and it ain’t inexpensive) will be to allow Bertha to be warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. The 18 oz., polyester reinforced vinyl skirt ought to help prevent fresh/gray and sewer water pipes from freezing, improve refrigerator efficiency, keep the young lady from rocking in the wind, warm the floor, and deter critters from taking up residence under her belly.

The RV specialist who is doing the installation measured the nine sections of the durable and pliable fabric (tractor trailer cargo protection material) last Friday and spent part of the weekend cutting, sewing, and putting on snap buttons, zippers, Velcro strips, and turn-button attachments. The color we selected is charcoal gray – a nice contrast to the silver aluminum.

The family crew arrived Labor Day a little before noon and finished attaching the many turn-buttons (70) and snaps/Velcro to the rig – carefully making sure that the various sections fitted together nicely and hung straight. Tubes were sewn onto the bottom of the fabric in order to slide in 1.25-inch diameter PVC pipes to stabilize the skirt. For added efficiency I will fill these pipes with sand.

I asked that the fabric be trimmed out with zippers around the wheels of Bertha – so when traveling we could simply use these 6-foot segments for sun protection – the craftsmen had no problem making this modification.

The crew spent 2.5 hrs. measuring and fitting on Friday; 8 hrs. pinning, hemming and sewing the setup at their shop in Loveland; and then a little under 2 hrs. for the onsite  installation today. The sections were cut no more than 14 feet in length and I was shown the correct method for removal, packing (storage bags included), and reassembly. Their product, design, and installation is perfect. I am most happy to give them the highest recommendation. Kudos to Kurt, Matt, Courtney, and Josie.

First time that I have opened up the stainless steel wrap (rock guard) protection panels – love the “gull-wing” effect. May hang some lights on them and open for happy hour ambiance.

Initial measurement and custom fitting of skirt – aft section.

Initial measurement and custom fitting of skirt – aft section and port side.

Initial measurement and custom fitting of skirt – aft section and starboard side.

Initial measurement and custom fitting of skirt – starboard side.

Installation of the finished skirting – forward section.

Installation of the finished skirting – aft section and starboard side.

Installation of the finished skirting – port side.

Turn button assembly.

Zipper opening for gray/black water pipe – port side.

Wheel cover segment – starboard side.

Kudos on a great job!