All About AirSkirts
Absolutely not! In fact, this is one of the biggest advantages AirSkirts offers compared to traditional RV skirts. PVC sheeting and other types of manufactured skirts require you to install snaps onto your RV, meaning you (or a shop) has to drill into your beautiful, expensive RVs body and add unsightly snaps. Some of these skirts offer snaps that will adhere to your RV, but these are unreliable and must be spaced very closely together and still may fall off.
AirSkirts simply inflates underneath your RV creating a tight seal. For this reason, AirSkirts is the absolute fastest way to skirt (and unskirt) your RV, with an average deployment taking under 20 minutes and packs up just as quickly.
Traditionally, RVers skirt their RVs in one of two ways:
1. A snap on, often custom made, and always expensive drape skirt, usually made of PVC or canvas. This approach requires drilling into the RV itself to secure snaps in place, and the skirt must be meticulously snapped to the RV and then staked into the ground or weighted down. These skirts don’t have insulating properties like AirSkirts does. In fact, a snap on skirt simply acts as a windbreak.
2. A homemade solution, usually achieved by purchasing housing insulation boards, cutting them to size, and then finding a way to adhere them to the RV itself. This DIY method can be appealing because of a relatively lower cost but is extremely time consuming and must be repeated each time you move or every season. In our estimates AirSkirts exceeds the value of a DIY solution in just a few seasons and saves many hours of labor (when you could be hanging out in your camper and enjoying yourself instead). Although this method offers more insulation than a standard drape skirt it offers nowhere near the insulating properties of AirSkirts.
So, what makes AirSkirts better than these traditional options?
– Less expensive than a custom drape style skirt.
– Saves more energy and provides better insulation than other options.
– Far more attractive than Styrofoam skirts. In fact, some campgrounds disallow skirts in the summer, but welcome AirSkirts because they look great.
– Pays itself off compared to either a drape or DIY approach. Less expensive than a drape, AirSkirts is the obvious choice for anyone considering purchasing a skirt. Year over year, AirSkirts also beats out the DIY solution (as our customers will attest) in terms of cost, not to mention the many hours of manual labor, adjustments, and tinkering that go along with a DIY solution.
Well, here’s just a few!
- Super durable .6mm PVC construction
- Designed and engineered in Connecticut by a full-time RVer
- Exclusive, patent-pending inflatable design
- Superior insulation from cold and heat with a minimum 22″ air cushion
- Innovative tire-wedge for complete seal
- Use year round for energy efficiency
- Convenient storage bag – just deflate, roll up and go
- Modular design – position tubes however you want, and order a la carte
- Shape conforming system to accommodate for drains, valves, etc.
- No modification or installation needed on your RV
- Deploy in under 20 minutes – use AirSkirts even for shorter stays
- AirSkirts stays in place even with snow, wind, and rain
- Keeps out unwanted friends and debris like skunks, raccoons, leaves, snow, and goblins
- Beautiful design makes you (and your RV) look really cool
Absolutely yes! Although there is no risk of pipes freezing in warmer weather the insulating properties of AirSkirts will help keep your RV cool by preventing cool air from escaping through your floor, conserving energy, and will prevent debris from getting underneath. And don’t forget about our AirLights, which allow you to add layers of insulation to your skylight without blocking the sunlight!
AirSkirts are very resilient in high wind. While other skirting methods hold up poorly in high wind conditions, AirSkirts are pinned between the ground and the RV by air pressure, meaning you can kick an AirSkirts tube and it won’t budge. Our skirts deal equally well with pressure from accumulating snow – snow will actually add to the insulating properties! A vinyl skirt can tear or pull off the snaps in high winds or with the weight of snow. AirSkirts will stay safely tucked under your RV.
For generator exhausts we recommend wrapping the exhaust in a fiberglass muffler insulating tape, which is widely available from automotive stores and online. For very hot exhausts you may need to place an aluminum tube around the exhaust pipe to create an additional barrier between the exhaust and the AirSkirts tube.
Short answer: yes. Though AirSkirts isn’t appropriate for the elevated portion or slides of your fifth-wheel trailer, the entire base of your trailer can (and should!) use AirSkirts and you’ll get all of the benefits the product offers. While many fifth-wheelers choose not to skirt their elevated portion at all, you could investigate a more traditional skirting method for that portion – consider though that these areas do not typically have pipes that are susceptible to freezing and traditional skirts act more as a wind break and offer very limited insulating properties.
Because fifth-wheels typically have a higher ground clearance than other trailers, please measure the ground clearance and order a high clearance kit if between 21 and 32 inches. If you’re unsure or have a higher clearance than 32 inches, don’t hesitate to contact us!
Don’t worry, you’ll still have access to your sewage drain. Simply place the AirSkirts tube under the drain area and slowly inflate – the tube will inflate to conform around the irregular areas. Our buffer pillows can fill in any gaps. Because the skirts are modular, you can place them so the ends of the tubes meet at any odd protrusions. You can also consult with one of our engineers after placing your order to discuss any concerns. We can make a few tube swaps at no charge but if you need a fully custom setup, you’ll need to purchase one of our customized kits.
AirSkirts is concerned with the core of your trailer – think of wearing a vest – the system protects and insulates the main body of your trailer (or coach) and protects the most vulnerable areas where water pipes are and where the majority of heat or cold dissipates. For slide outs you’ll get insulation by the use of furniture, carpeting, and window insulation (such as Reflectix). AirSkirts will not interfere with the operation of your slides.
Because they’re made of a thick, heavy duty material, AirSkirts are hefty. Weight depends on kit size, with our smallest kit weighing around 30 pounds and are very large kit weighing around 130 pounds. But don’t worry – you don’t need to pick this up all at once – simply grab each individual tube from the storage bag one at a time. The largest tube weighs about 13 pounds. Most customers keep this bag in the back of their tow vehicle (if they own a trailer) or in their storage area underneath (if they’re in a coach). AirSkirts easily pack down to the same size as when they arrived (or less!) because our air pump deflates as well as inflates. Expect your kit to need just 3-8 cubic feet of storage area depending on the kit size. Our storage bag is just shy of 3’x2’x2′, and fits most kits with room to spare.
The way our tubes come folded from the factory are usually much bulkier than how you’ll fold them after use, so the box(es) your kit is shipped in might not reflect the space it’ll take up in your RV/tow vehicle.
There are numerous ways to skirt your RV. Typically, we find that AirSkirts is the most competitively priced option for a non-DIY solution and offers a host of other benefits. We encourage all of our potential customers to do their own research; you can read a more thorough breakdown of options and costs in this article.
Compared to a custom made vinyl skirt for your trailer, AirSkirts are, on average, less costly or comparable in cost. This is based on our observations and information we’ve received from our customers who have had custom skirt installations quoted across the US and Canada. AirSkirts also don’t require you to move your RV for measurement and installation (or have an onsite installation), drill holes in your RV, etc. Additionally, it is worth considering that AirSkirts are not tied to one specific RV, so if you decide to upgrade in the future, your kit can come with you and your investment is not abandoned.
The old adage, “You get what you pay for” also applies here. AirSkirts are made with the highest quality materials and we back them up with a five year warranty, meaning we will replace any defective items at no cost for half a decade. Not even your RV comes with that sort of backing!
DIY options do exist and will be notably less costly than AirSkirts. These include Styrofoam, wood, and creating a vinyl skirt on your own (including drilling holes in your RV on your own, cutting material, etc.) Many of our customers have taken the DIY route in the past and have decided to upgrade to AirSkirts after observing the shortcomings of other approaches firsthand. In fact, our product was invented out of frustration with the options that were available in the market before we launched our business.
Year-over-year, we believe AirSkirts to be of the most long-term value of all options, including DIY options, with the exception of DIY construction for permanent installations (e.g. a custom made wood frame with insulation for an RV that will never move). Another factor to consider is the insulating value of the skirt you choose, as this will have a very large effect on your energy usage (propane and / or electric) year round.
AirSkirts kits are designed to fit RVs of every size perfectly and if a modification needs to be made, this service is provided at no additional cost.
We encourage customers to examine all of their options when shopping for a skirting solution and will be happy to answer your questions even if you have another solution top-of-mind. Contact us any time for more information.
All motorized RVs require our customized kits and includes our engineering service which customizes the kit to fit your rig perfectly. After you order you will receive a PDF and link requesting some measurements. You’ll receive a diagram showing how to place your tubes with your kit. Use our kit selection wizard and enter the length of your coach to find the right kit.
RV Skirting 101
Sure is! Here you go.
Skirts are traditionally used for protecting RVs from cold weather. By placing a barrier around the perimeter of the RV’s undercarriage, cold air and snow are prevented from blowing underneath the RV and causing freezing pipes other damage.
AirSkirts can be used for more than just RVs. In fact, AirSkirts works for tiny homes, construction site trailers, horse trailers, and all other sorts of elevated structures.
Unlike traditional skirts, which typically act simply as a windbreak, AirSkirts offers the additional benefit of acting as an insulator. Your RV floor loses heat and AirSkirts’ large barrier of trapped air between two layers of .6 mm of PVC acts as an insulator, retaining much of this heat. This will save you money, require less propane or electricity, and be better for the planet. A second benefit is having warmer floors. All in all, having an insulated undercarriage is a huge benefit that ultimately pays for itself.
Picking Your Kit
For quick help finding the right kit, try out our kit selection wizard.
Our tubes come in two diameters:
- Standard – 22″ diameter, suitable for ground clearance up to 20″
- High – 34″ diameter, suitable for ground clearance up to 32″
Ground clearance refers to the amount of space between the earth and your trailer. The clearance is measured from the ground to the point on the underside of the trailer that the tube will press against. If your trailer is on uneven ground, measure the greatest distance. For trailer with flat bottoms, measure to the bottom of the trailer. If your trailer has an exposed I-Beam, measure to the base of the I-Beam.
Once You Have Your Skirt
Every AirSkirts kit comes with detailed instructions in the Owner’s Manual, which you can view here, but it couldn’t be simpler. Just place the skirt tubes under the perimeter of the RV (or structure) into position, insert the end of the included pump into the valve until the tube begins to push against the solid underside or I-beam. Repeat all around, and you’re done! Of course, we’re always here to help via phone, email, or video chat if you have any questions.
Yep! Here you go. If you’d like more details about AirSkirts, check out this video.
Shipping, Warranty, and Returns
FIVE YEARS – an industry leading commitment to our customers – because we love and trust our product so much.
We are proud of our products and stand by them. Every AirSkirts product comes with a guarantee to be free of defects in craftsmanship, and our warranty is an industry-beating FIVE years with No-Hassle returns. Our warranty doesn’t cover punctures and tears, but with our super rugged materials (and included patches) you won’t have much to worry about.
Each skirt is lovingly made to order, so our shipping times vary depending on stock. If you desperately need it sooner please call and we’ll see if we might have anything in stock. We’re always happy to check our warehouse for you.
Yes! Our shipping fees to Canada, which are currently $249 US, are inclusive of duties/taxes/customs clearance, so you won’t receive a separate tax bill.
We sure do! Our shipping fees can be seen at checkout.
