Lippert 362215 Solera Screen Room 12′ Review

My Journey with the Lippert 362215 Solera Screen Room 12′

The relentless pursuit of comfortable outdoor living space while RVing often leads to compromises. For years, my family’s travel trailer adventures were hampered by the persistent invasion of mosquitoes and gnats as soon as dusk settled. Dining al fresco became a strategic retreat indoors, and evening relaxation often involved a constant swatting battle. It was this very scenario, a particularly buggy evening in the Smokies, that finally pushed me to seek a more permanent solution beyond bug spray and citronella candles. I needed a way to reclaim our outdoor living area.

After much deliberation, I landed on the Lippert 362215 Solera Screen Room 12′. My first impression upon unpacking was one of practical utility. The material felt robust, and the pre-attached screens seemed well-stitched. It certainly didn’t feel like a flimsy add-on, but rather a thoughtfully engineered extension for recreational vehicles. I had briefly considered DIY solutions and some less established brands, but Lippert’s reputation for RV accessories gave me confidence. Receiving this screen room felt like a small victory against nature’s biting inhabitants, a tangible step towards extending our campsite enjoyment.

Real-World Testing: Putting Lippert 362215 Solera Screen Room 12′ to the Test

First Use Experience

Our inaugural setup of the Solera screen room was at a COE campground with a mix of sun and a light afternoon breeze. The instructions, while clear, required a bit of patience, particularly when initially attaching the room to our awning rail. It took about 45 minutes for a reasonably smooth installation, mostly due to learning the best way to tension the fabric. Performance-wise, it was immediately effective; the barrier against insects was complete, allowing us to enjoy dinner and a card game without a single bite. The neutral tan color did indeed seem to mitigate some of the harsh afternoon sun, creating a more pleasant shaded environment.

The room performed admirably through a light evening shower, too. Water beaded and ran off effectively, and importantly, it did not interfere with our 12V powered awning’s rain dump feature, a detail I was keenly watching. My only initial surprise was how much floor space it consumed, a common characteristic of these rooms, but something to be mindful of when planning campsite setup.

Extended Use & Reliability

Over the course of a full camping season, this screen room has become an indispensable part of our RV setup. It’s been deployed in varying conditions, from humid, mosquito-laden evenings in Florida to drier, cooler nights in Colorado. The fabric has held up remarkably well, showing no signs of UV degradation or significant wear. Even after being folded and unfolded numerous times, the seams remain intact, and the zippers continue to operate smoothly, which I attribute to the robust zipper construction.

Cleaning is straightforward; a gentle brushing and occasional hose-down suffice for most dirt and debris. Storing it, however, requires a bit of effort to fold it neatly back into its bag, a common challenge with most fabric enclosures. Compared to simpler screen tarps I’ve used in the past, the Lippert 362215 Solera Screen Room 12′ offers a significantly more complete and reliable enclosure, making the slight extra effort in setup and takedown entirely worthwhile.

Breaking Down the Features of Lippert 362215 Solera Screen Room 12′

Specifications

The Lippert 362215 Solera Screen Room 12′ is designed to integrate seamlessly with manual and power awnings, specifically those with a center-of-arm-to-center-of-arm measurement of 101 inches. This measurement is crucial for ensuring a snug fit. The room accommodates RVs with an awning rail-to-ground measurement of 101 inches, which dictates the vertical clearance. It is compatible with Solera, Carefree, and Dometic awnings of an 8-foot extension, offering a significant expansion of living space.

The primary material appears to be a durable, neutral-tan colored polyester fabric for the walls, paired with fine mesh screening. This combination provides effective insect protection while offering a degree of shade. The neutral tan color is a thoughtful inclusion, as it does help to absorb and reflect sunlight, contributing to a cooler interior space compared to darker materials. Importantly, the design ensures it does not impede the rain dump functionality of a 12V DC powered awning, a critical feature for many RV owners.

Performance & Functionality

The core function of this screen room is to provide a bug-free outdoor sanctuary, and in this regard, it excels. During all my testing phases, it effectively kept out mosquitoes, flies, and other small insects. The fine mesh is the key here; it’s dense enough to prevent entry but still allows for good airflow and visibility. Setting up camp no longer means immediately deploying the RV’s door to keep bugs out, which is a significant quality-of-life improvement.

Its strength lies in its comprehensive enclosure capability, creating a true extension of our living space. The main functional drawback, if one can call it that, is the dependency on awning functionality. If the awning itself is malfunctioning or difficult to operate, the screen room’s deployment becomes problematic. The does not interfere with the rain dump feature of a 12V DC powered awning specification is a major plus, as this can be a point of failure or inconvenience with some other RV accessories.

Design & Ergonomics

From a design perspective, the screen room is geared towards practicality and ease of use once the initial setup is mastered. The fabric is flexible enough to work with, yet rigid enough to hold its shape, especially when properly tensioned. The zippers are heavy-duty and have large pull tabs, making them easy to operate even with slightly grimy hands or while wearing gloves.

The attachment points are designed to be secure, though using bungee cords or straps (sometimes included, sometimes separate purchases) is essential for a taut fit. While the initial installation might feel a bit cumbersome, especially when doing it solo, the overall design prioritizes functionality over complex aesthetics. The 101″ center-to-center arm measurement compatibility is a critical ergonomic consideration, ensuring it fits a specific range of awnings without excessive slack or strain.

Durability & Maintenance

After a season of use, the Lippert 362215 Solera Screen Room 12′ has proven to be quite durable. The seams show no signs of fraying, and the mesh itself has resisted snags from branches and general campsite wear. I did notice a slight stiffness in the fabric when packing it away after a cold evening, but this resolved once it warmed up.

Maintenance is minimal, primarily involving brushing off dirt and debris. It’s not designed for heavy-duty cleaning, but the polyester material is resilient to water and mild soap. The most important aspect for longevity is proper folding and storage to prevent tears or damage to the mesh. Given its construction, I anticipate several more seasons of reliable use, provided it’s treated with reasonable care.

Accessories and Customization Options

The Lippert 362215 Solera Screen Room 12′ typically comes with the necessary poles, ropes, and stakes for installation. Lippert also offers various complementary accessories for their Solera awning systems, though specific customization for this screen room is limited to how it’s attached and tensioned. Some users might opt for additional ground stakes for enhanced stability in windy conditions, or perhaps a small outdoor rug to place inside for added comfort.

The compatibility with multiple awning brands like Carefree and Dometic is a significant advantage, broadening its appeal. While there aren’t extensive customization options in terms of colors or additional features, the standard-size 12′ room is designed to be a functional, all-in-one solution for enhancing an RV’s outdoor living space.

Pros and Cons of Lippert 362215 Solera Screen Room 12′

Who Should Buy Lippert 362215 Solera Screen Room 12′?

This screen room is an ideal choice for RV owners who frequently camp in areas with significant insect populations and wish to extend their usable living space outdoors. If you enjoy dining, relaxing, or playing games outside your RV but are constantly battling mosquitoes and other biting insects, this product offers a practical and effective solution. It’s particularly suited for families or groups who want to maximize their campsite enjoyment without being confined indoors.

Those who should probably skip this product are individuals with very basic, non-powered awnings that don’t meet the specific measurement requirements, or those who prioritize extremely rapid setup and takedown above all else. If you’re only camping in areas with negligible insect activity, the investment might not be justified. Recommended complementary items would include a good quality outdoor rug for the floor and perhaps some extra heavy-duty stakes for added security in windy conditions.

Conclusion on Lippert 362215 Solera Screen Room 12′

The Lippert 362215 Solera Screen Room 12′ delivers on its promise of creating a comfortable, bug-free outdoor living space for RVs. Its performance in keeping insects out is excellent, and the thoughtful design that integrates with powered awnings, particularly the rain dump feature, is a significant advantage. While the initial setup requires a bit of patience, the durability and extended usability make it a worthwhile investment for those seeking to enhance their RV camping experience.

Considering its price point of $719.99, the value proposition is strong, especially when compared to the cost of losing outdoor enjoyment due to pests. I would confidently recommend this screen room to any RV owner with a compatible awning who is looking for a reliable and effective way to expand their living area and reclaim their outdoor time. If you’re tired of fighting bugs and want to truly enjoy your campsite, this model is a solid choice.