TheSkirtingCo First Impressions

I have a 38' 6" (roughly) fifth wheel trailer now and desired to install some skirting to keep the winter away from my water, i.e. prevent frozen lines AND tanks.  Know a few people that couldn't stop talking about what a difference skirting makes in cooler weather, not just freezing weather.  When temps start dipping below comfy, skirting tends to keep RV warmer and less drafty.  This results in lower heating costs, warmer floor, running water, and a happier partner.

Pre ordering process wasn't a great initial experience.  Initially emailed TheSkirtingCo on Black Friday asking questions on if they had sales as website indicated these would be shown on Faceb@@k.  To get it out of the way, I'm weird and not on there with the Lizard man.  Asked them question regarding diesel heater exhaust and what they recommended for that as well.  Didn't expect reply on the weekend so waited till later Monday to reach out by telephone as didn't receive email response, not even crickets.   Lizard man must have ate the crickets.

When called no one answered, so left a message asking for callback.  When they did call, within 30 minutes, it was a nice knowledgeable woman on the other end, super friendly.  Asked my couple questions, important one was sales for Black Friday or Thanksgiving, she seemed to indicate they don't do sales at all, which is a bummer as one of their competitors had a 15% off sale at the same time. I thanked her for her time and said will place an order the next day.

After much going back and forth on their website, analyzing what truly need versus want, finally settled on below kit.  My thought process was to price out everything that wanted, then trim it down to something that would still function without going overboard on price, especially as no sales....  GRRRR.  Not that I'm upset, really not upset, really truly not upset.....  Honestly, couldn't be happier about their lack of sales on Black Friday...  Like what company doesn't offer sales on Black Friday, apparently this one....

picture showing care taken
in protecting keder tracks
Great attention to detail, impressive!

Using their website here is what I ordered the next day:

• kit for bumper pull 31-34 feet (not fifth wheel)
• noted 2 slideouts will be skirted (have 3)
• chose Standard (1 layer) skirting
• chose DIY kit 
• System calculated, based on my selections
• 13 bumper pull panels
• 11 bumper pull tracks
• chose 3 access panels @ $60 USD each
• chose Pack of 30 water bags for weights, $150 USD
• Subtotal (before addons): $1803.75
• Addons:
• 3 access panels $180 USD
• water bag 30 pack $150 USD
• Total: $2133.75 USD
  
  

My original pricing with insulated skirting, an extra bump out, the fifth wheel enclosure, heated hose, and couple other things was about $3400 USD.  Changed quite a bit to be what I think is the minimum need for location where will spend this winter.  If they had a sale would've gotten fifth wheel enclosure and possibly R7 insulated skirting material.  Yet they don't have sales, oh, we covered that already, didn't we...

In comparison to this, two stories on DIY skirting others have done from people I know.  One recently and the other 6-7 years ago.

• $70 to skirt 23 foot fifth wheel belly (not fifth wheel portion)
• Used reflective bubble wrap from Home Depot
• Secured to RV with duct tape, matching color closely
• Kind of portable
• Visually unappealing (to me)
• $300-400 7 years ago for bumper pull 34'+
• They didn't go into too much details, two layers
• Outer layer heavy black plastic
• Inner layer rigid foam board, 1 or 2 inch
• Weather constant below freezing weather in Minnesota, Michigan, or that type of environment, no freezing
• Not really portable, they gave it to someone who wanted it.

Similarly, did some internet sleuthing looking at different setups.  From what saw, it seems that any well installed skirting will generally keep the underside of an RV above freezing.  Insulation seems to help the lower the temperature is, but even in moderately cold freezing temperatures a solid windproof fabric keeps the underbelly relatively warm.  Saw plenty of installs with white stuff on the ground and running water with just plain uninsulated skirting that was well installed.  Saw some installs where they added supplementary electric heater underneath to help keep chill off.  The thing with skirting is it stops airflow allowing radiant heat from RV, and the earth, to keep it warmer than outside.

Miscellaneous

Throughout the pricing aspect and determining what really truly need kept on thinking of the ROI, or Return On Investment.  Money only grows on trees if you are in politics, on one side primarily.  There's simply no way it will pay for itself quickly.  For this kit might have an ROI of  5 years, though more likely 7 - 10 years if stay in current climate.  Whereas the DIY approach has a much faster payback period, a month or two with the bubble wrap option.  Anything that's built for an RV, skirting included, is always, always, 2-3 times cost of normal, just the way it is sadly.

After placed my order that following day, the same young woman called me as I did a fubar when typed shipping address, zip code was incorrect.  Once fixed zip code smooth sailing.  The next morning received shipping notification and tracked package halfway across the country to where I am now. 

When got the boxes was extremely impressed in how well they were packaged, for the most part.  Would've been nice if they filled in the extra space at top of the 82 pound box to prevent a slight bit of damage.  Overall everything survived and looks good.

Uh-oh, a note....

Contents of the boxes.

• Package 1
• The channels which mount to side of RV
• Package 2
• 30 water bags for skirting weights
• Didn't expect them to be so big
• Chose as they collapse down small, not as small as expected
• Didn't want sandbags as want to stay mobile
• Could've scrounged local materials yet they're not portable
• Package 3
• Cutting scissors
• Puncher (not a punching bag)
• Hand Riveter
• KU-String (toy????, it's not lube)
• padded envelope containing

• 

  Very impressive mug!
  
  

  6 business cards
• pack of screws in thin plastic bag
• bunch of rivets
• loose drill bit
• sticker
• small gorilla glue tube
• can of 3M Tape Primer 94
• 70% Isopropyl spray alcohol bottle
• Snap box
• Skirting fabric, neatly folded
• 3 access panels
• bunch of velcro strips
• Fancy dancy insulated metal mug (impressed with this one)
• And a note.......
• No trim lock...  How do I do stairs???????

Tools

This is almost a resounding success.  Expected some Trim Lock for around RV steps.  The snap kit also has a cracked top which fixed by covering with clear packing tape.  The little snap thing which keeps it closed came fully off when opened the kit.  This can't be resealed so used more packing tape to keep it shut.  Thankfully no snap things appear to be lost.  Last thing is almost didn't notice the drill bit, it was loose in the padded envelope, at the bottom, wish it was placed in a separate bag then inserted into envelope.

Initial view of box

While I am mechanically inclined and fairly quick at picking things up, do not understand why some things were included, yet also not included, like printed guide showing some of the finer aspects of the install is not here.  Contents of a guide could include things like side drawing of snap cap installation order, what to do around corners and slides. measurements and locations of where rivets and snap caps are installed.  For my install, on the surface it looks like won't be using rivets as that seems to be related to the missing Trim Lock and the corners.  Instead we are left with YouTube videos on their website which show an overall flow of installation yet lack details.  Some things, like quality of materials are excellent, other aspects are less well thought out and not fully polished like I would've expected for the price.

This is my initial take on "Had I known then what I now know", might have changed a few things.  Provided for your delight, or maybe dismay.

• Instead of ordering 3 access panels for $180 USD
• Order 1 extra slideout kit for skirting material @~$130 USD
• -or- increase length of RV by one length (from 27-30 to 31-34)
• Source local velcro to stick on
• Reason: savings of $50 USD (if use slideout kit and minus velcro cost)
• extra fabric for patching as well
• savings based on what 3 access panels, can really get a lot more
• Expected insulated fabric for access panels as that's what website shows
• Understand they expended labor creating access panels, hence price.
• Instead of ordering 30 water bags
• Order about 1.5 per panel, gives few extras

Access Panel rear

Access Panel front

Summary, stretched on some of the cons as they felt like it for me.

Con:

• Pre sales support, lack of email responsiveness
• Lack of Black Friday/Cyber Monday sale
• Lack of paper install manual, or at least QR codes on paper
• No trim lock, not even small amount for stairs
• As shown in YouTube
• Tools and parts included that won't be used for my kit
• Not a polished initial experience for the price
• Only YouTube videos for install guidance
• Can contact them during business hours for additional support

Pro:

• Pre sales support, returned phone call within 30 minutes
• Keder Tracks!!!! 💖
• High quality skirting material to fit keder tracks
• "Free" shipping
• Quality Installation materials
• For the most part
• Small family and veteran owned business

Water bag

Velcro and stack of skirting

Overall am pleased with quality of the skirting and mounting channels, less pleased about other parts of the kit and the overall experience so far.  Quality of the product is why I chose this instead of DIY, or their competitor (with a sale) EZ Snap.  DRAT, mentioned the sale (or lack of one) again.

The one single reason I wanted this kit over other premade ones is the keder track.  This allows for greater mobility and ease of setup/tear down (after initial install).  Quality of skirting fabric and ease of the unknown install process are secondary reasons.