Let’s Talk About Lippert Solera Family Room 21′
The Lippert Solera Family Room 21′ promises to transform your RV awning into a comfortable and enclosed outdoor living space. Marketed by Lippert, this kit aims to add valuable square footage to your campsite, shielding you from insects and the elements. This is particularly appealing to those who enjoy extended stays in their RVs and want to maximize their outdoor living potential.
My interest in the Solera Family Room stemmed from a recurring issue during our family camping trips: pesky bugs and unpredictable weather. We needed a solution that would allow us to enjoy the outdoors without being constantly harassed by mosquitos or forced indoors by sudden rain showers. I was hoping for a quick and easy-to-install solution that didn’t break the bank.
Unboxing the Solera Family Room revealed a cool gray polyester fabric that seemed durable enough to withstand typical weather conditions. The initial build quality appeared decent, though I was a little concerned about the thickness of the material, especially for handling strong winds. The weight was manageable, suggesting it wouldn’t be too difficult to handle during installation.
I considered similar awning room kits from Carefree and Dometic, but ultimately chose the Lippert Solera Family Room due to its advertised compatibility with various awning brands (including Dometic and Carefree), and its relatively lower price point. I was looking for a good balance between quality and affordability, and this seemed to fit the bill.
My first impression was cautiously optimistic. The Solera Family Room looked promising, and I was eager to see how it would perform in a real-world camping scenario. I hoped it would deliver on its promise of creating a bug-free and weather-protected outdoor haven.
Real-World Testing: Putting Lippert Solera Family Room 21′ to the Test
First Use Experience
I tested the Lippert Solera Family Room during a week-long camping trip to the Texas Hill Country. The location was known for its beautiful scenery but also its abundance of mosquitos and unpredictable afternoon showers. The Solera Family Room was intended to be our primary outdoor living space, providing shelter and a bug-free zone.
The performance of the Solera Family Room was tested in varying conditions: sunshine, light rain, and moderate winds. While it did an adequate job of blocking the sun and providing some shelter from light rain, the wind was a significant challenge. The provided stakes weren’t strong enough to keep the panels securely anchored in gusty conditions.
The initial setup took longer than expected. The instructions were not particularly clear, and it required some trial and error to properly attach the panels to the awning and the RV. It definitely wasn’t the “quick and easy” installation I was hoping for.
The first night, a surprise thunderstorm rolled through. While the Solera Family Room kept us relatively dry, the wind caused the panels to flap and billow, creating a lot of noise and stress on the attachment points. This highlighted a significant weakness in the design.
Extended Use & Reliability
After several weeks of use (spread across multiple camping trips), the Solera Family Room shows signs of wear and tear, particularly around the zipper seams. The cool gray polyester fabric has faded slightly from sun exposure. The mesh screens have held up well, though a few small holes have appeared from minor snags.
Maintaining the Solera Family Room is relatively easy. It can be hosed down to remove dirt and debris, and the mesh screens can be wiped clean. However, I’m concerned about the long-term durability of the zippers and the overall structural integrity in harsher weather conditions.
Compared to my previous experience with a basic awning sunshade, the Solera Family Room offers significantly more protection from the elements and insects. However, it falls short of the performance of a more robust and permanently installed RV enclosure. It’s a definite step up, but not the ultimate solution I was hoping for.
Breaking Down the Features of Lippert Solera Family Room 21′
Specifications
- The Lippert Solera Family Room 21′ is designed to fit most 21′ manual and power awnings. This ensures a large enclosed space under your awning.
- The room size matches your awning width, measured from center-arm to center-arm. Accurate measurement is crucial for a proper fit.
- It accommodates RVs with awning rail-to-ground measurements up to 130″. This caters to a wide range of RV heights.
- The Solera Family Room is compatible with 8′ extension Solera, Dometic, and Carefree awnings only. Knowing this prevents incorrect fitment with incompatible awning types.
- It features cool gray polyester fabric that complements any RV color scheme. The color is designed for universal aesthetic appeal.
These specifications are essential for ensuring proper fitment and understanding the limitations of the product. Understanding the awning compatibility is critical before purchasing the Solera Family Room 21′.
Performance & Functionality
The Lippert Solera Family Room 21′ functions reasonably well as an enclosed outdoor space, offering protection from sun, insects, and light rain. However, its performance is significantly impacted by wind.
Its strengths lie in its ease of setup (once you get the hang of it) and the added living space it provides. The main weakness is its vulnerability to wind and the somewhat flimsy construction.
It meets expectations for basic weather protection and insect control, but falls short in terms of overall durability and stability in challenging conditions. Stronger anchoring points are needed to improve wind resistance of the Solera Family Room.
Design & Ergonomics
The Solera Family Room is constructed from cool gray polyester fabric. The material is relatively lightweight and easy to handle. The build quality is adequate, but the zippers and seams appear to be the weakest points.
The design is generally user-friendly, though the initial setup can be a bit confusing. A more detailed instruction manual would be beneficial. Improved instructions would greatly enhance the initial user experience with the Solera Family Room.
Durability & Maintenance
The lifespan of the Solera Family Room will likely depend on the frequency and intensity of use. With proper care and maintenance, it should last for several seasons.
Maintaining it involves regular cleaning and inspection of the zippers and seams. Repairing any damage may require professional assistance, as the polyester fabric can be challenging to work with. Protecting the Solera Family Room from prolonged sun exposure will help extend its lifespan.
Accessories and Customization Options
The Lippert Solera Family Room 21′ comes with basic ground stakes for anchoring the panels. There are no included accessories for customization.
It may be possible to add aftermarket accessories such as stronger ground stakes, additional support poles, and improved weather stripping. Upgrading the ground stakes is highly recommended for improved stability in windy conditions when using the Solera Family Room.
Pros and Cons of Lippert Solera Family Room 21′
Pros
- Provides significant protection from insects.
- Adds valuable enclosed outdoor living space to your RV campsite.
- Offers decent shelter from sun and light rain.
- Compatible with multiple awning brands (Solera, Dometic, Carefree).
- Relatively affordable compared to more permanent RV enclosures.
Cons
- Vulnerable to wind; requires stronger anchoring.
- Zippers and seams appear to be the weakest points in the construction.
- Instruction manual could be clearer.
Who Should Buy Lippert Solera Family Room 21′?
Perfect for: RV campers who frequently camp in areas with insects and mild weather conditions, and who want an affordable way to expand their living space.
Who should skip this product? Campers who frequently encounter strong winds or extreme weather, or those seeking a more durable and permanent RV enclosure.
Must-have accessories or modifications? Stronger ground stakes are a must. Consider adding additional support poles for increased stability in windy conditions.
Conclusion on Lippert Solera Family Room 21′
The Lippert Solera Family Room 21′ offers a reasonable solution for creating an enclosed outdoor living space for RVers on a budget. While it provides adequate protection from insects and sun, its vulnerability to wind is a significant drawback.
The price is justified for the added living space and insect protection it provides, but buyers should be aware of its limitations in adverse weather conditions.
I would cautiously recommend it to campers who prioritize affordability and insect protection over extreme weather resistance. However, I advise investing in stronger ground stakes for improved stability. It’s a good stepping stone to enhanced outdoor living, but not a perfect, all-weather solution. If you’re looking to enhance your camping experience and aren’t afraid of a little DIY to improve its stability, the Lippert Solera Family Room 21′ might just be what you need.