Just used a roll of 24" reflectix and self adhesive velcro to line the pop up on my Hawk. Fits perfectly!
Just in time as we're heading out for a chilly October visit to the East Side tonite. Also stapled reflectix on ply sides and made flaps (secured with duct tape / velcro tabs) over the turnbuckle ports.
Lighthawk (or anyone else who's used Reflectix this way) - So you lined the soft-sides of the pop-up? How did that work out, heat-retaining-wise? Did it make a noticeable difference, you think?
More-detail question: Are you keeping it rolled up most of the time then putting in place (with the Velcro) as needed at night (or whenever) then re-rolling? Does it seem durable enough to withstand this kind of repeated handling?
I've been thinking about insulating the soft-sides of my camper for years (since I enjoy winter camping), using some kind of DIY approach that is much cheaper than the FWC Arctic-Pak. On cold nights I can put my hand next to the un-insulated soft-side and feel cold air roll down (not an air-leak, but chilling the air by conduction) the soft-wall.
Finally, last winter I got rolls of 1/2"-thick closed-cell polyethylene foam, and cut them to fit the soft-sides of the pop-up to be held in place (when needed) with self-adhesive Velcro. And that seemed to work in princple...however, the adhesive didn't stick well to the polyethylene foam (almost nothing will), so when I pulled the foam down in the morning the velcro strips stayed stuck together and detached from the foam. I guess I could sew the velcro to the foam, or use some other means of adhesion.
I've also heard from a FWC owner who used fleece/pile fabric (cut to fit the height/length of the soft-sides) as removable insulation for the soft-sides. It probably doesn't insulate as well as closed-cell foam or Reflectix, but it has the advantage of being much more flexible/foldable for easy storage.
Another idea I've had -- which I haven't tried but still haven't discarded -- is to apply insulation (closed-cell foam or possibly Refectix, say) to the outside of the soft-sides. There's a rim/overhang from the roof that's just the right size gap for the 1/2" closed-cell foam that I have. However, I haven't figured out a good way to (temporarily) hold the insulation in place. It would have to be more-secure than when mounting inside because it would need to withstand being blown by wind.
Why mount it outside? Because that way the soft-side is inside -- on the warm side of -- the insulation, instead of outside. And if the soft-side, particularly the inside, is warm then there should be less condensation on its inside.
I realize that a downside is that if it's snowy/rainy that I'll have wet foam to roll up and put away...but at least it won't be sopping wet 'cause it's closed-cell and can't soak up water.
Thoughts/feedback please?
Any ideas for how to attach -- securely-but-removably-- foam sheets or Reflectix to the outside? And/or experience with using Reflectix (or closed-cell foam) to insulate the inside of the soft-sides?
Thanks.