Covering Rear Windows for Camping
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Topic author - I am merely driving my van
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- Joined: Fri Jan 13, 2012 10:14 pm
Covering Rear Windows for Camping
Has anyone figured out the best option to cover the rear/side Astro Windows for a bit of privacy on the
camper conversion... I really do want zero visibility from the outside on these.
So far my ideas are
1) Limo Tint
2) Painting outer glass (can this even be done).
3) Some type of sheetmetal covering (is anything made already for doing this?)
Any other suggestions or has anyone done this to a passenger Astro/Safari?
camper conversion... I really do want zero visibility from the outside on these.
So far my ideas are
1) Limo Tint
2) Painting outer glass (can this even be done).
3) Some type of sheetmetal covering (is anything made already for doing this?)
Any other suggestions or has anyone done this to a passenger Astro/Safari?
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- Sheriff
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I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
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Re: Covering Rear Windows for Camping
A poor ole country boy once told me he used duct taped black plastic trash bags.
"Curtains/blinds" sounds the best to me especially if you can sew the great matching fabric you find.
"Curtains/blinds" sounds the best to me especially if you can sew the great matching fabric you find.
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- I finally get the smurf thing
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Re: Covering Rear Windows for Camping
I just got some no-seeum netting and a bunch of "magnetic tape". I plan to use the screen and tape to make covers for the windows that open to keep out bugs, seems you could do the same with black plastic or anything else for that matter. We just plan to make some curtains for the interior and hang them from those little suction cups with the hooks on them. I'm probably not as much concerned about privacy as most.
You can also buy "frosted" paint anywhere for making the glass more private but still letting in some light..
You can also buy "frosted" paint anywhere for making the glass more private but still letting in some light..
2004 AWD Astro 2" lift, overnight-able
2003 Dodge/Cummins Quad cab
2006 Nissan X-terra MT
1985 LTD LX 5.0 HO
Plus wife's and kid's cars to take care of...
2003 Dodge/Cummins Quad cab
2006 Nissan X-terra MT
1985 LTD LX 5.0 HO
Plus wife's and kid's cars to take care of...
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- I get chills without my van.
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- Location: Portland, Ore
Re: Covering Rear Windows for Camping
If you are going for "grow house" quality privacy then tin foil on the window is the way to go...
I prefer curtains, there are a few ways you can do it. If you are good at sewing then make pockets at the top and bottom of the curtain the string it with bungie cord and attach the bungie to the top and bottom of the window. You can make this permanent or not depending on how you attach the bungie to the window.
For cold weather camping, pick up a role of the silver bubble wrap type stuff at Home Depot and cut it to shape using suction cups or velcro to attach it to the windows.
I prefer curtains, there are a few ways you can do it. If you are good at sewing then make pockets at the top and bottom of the curtain the string it with bungie cord and attach the bungie to the top and bottom of the window. You can make this permanent or not depending on how you attach the bungie to the window.
For cold weather camping, pick up a role of the silver bubble wrap type stuff at Home Depot and cut it to shape using suction cups or velcro to attach it to the windows.
2000 Ford Econoline GTRV Full Camper
2003 AWD Astro-VTop-Surf/River/Roadtrip Rig - In the great campground in the sky
2003 AWD Astro-VTop-Surf/River/Roadtrip Rig - In the great campground in the sky
Re: Covering Rear Windows for Camping
Tremclad
1999 Safari Touring edition.
trailer tow pack with a 3:73 posi
Bucket bench seats, Rear heat, Rear Airconditioning.
teal green
300 000 kms
AirRide air bags in the rear to fix soft stock suspension.
Onboard aircompressor to make it all work nice.
trailer tow pack with a 3:73 posi
Bucket bench seats, Rear heat, Rear Airconditioning.
teal green
300 000 kms
AirRide air bags in the rear to fix soft stock suspension.
Onboard aircompressor to make it all work nice.
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- I sleep in my van
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Re: Covering Rear Windows for Camping
Before I got working on my curtains, I just used Reflectix cut to size so that it was a friction fit. Jam it into the window between the trim and glass and voila'. Works great to keep the van cool here in SoCal sun, too.
"My minivan is cooler than your bro-truck"
2003 Astro AWD Astrolander/ZMB - GTRV Top Transplant, 4" OLV Lift, NP233 T-case, evolving interior
1995 Safari GTRV Organ donor - gutted and gone.
2003 Astro AWD Astrolander/ZMB - GTRV Top Transplant, 4" OLV Lift, NP233 T-case, evolving interior
1995 Safari GTRV Organ donor - gutted and gone.
Re: Covering Rear Windows for Camping
x2... and helps to keep van interior warmer in cooler weatherHerbie wrote:Before I got working on my curtains, I just used Reflectix cut to size so that it was a friction fit. Jam it into the window between the trim and glass and voila'. Works great to keep the van cool here in SoCal sun, too.
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Topic author - I am merely driving my van
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Fri Jan 13, 2012 10:14 pm
Re: Covering Rear Windows for Camping
Thanks Folks or all the ideas-
I think I'm going to try a "window wallpaper" in an green or bluetranslucent, Possibly 2 layers for
absolute privacy.. I'll upload pics once I complete it and offer a review:
http://www.wallpaperforwindows.com/pc/D ... nt-c52.htm
I think I'm going to try a "window wallpaper" in an green or bluetranslucent, Possibly 2 layers for
absolute privacy.. I'll upload pics once I complete it and offer a review:
http://www.wallpaperforwindows.com/pc/D ... nt-c52.htm
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- I sleep in my van
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Re: Covering Rear Windows for Camping
I don't think that will be 100% private at night if you have any sort of light on inside the van. No kind of tinting will offer 100% unless it completely opaque.ascent4man wrote:Thanks Folks or all the ideas-
I think I'm going to try a "window wallpaper" in an green or bluetranslucent, Possibly 2 layers for
absolute privacy.. I'll upload pics once I complete it and offer a review:
http://www.wallpaperforwindows.com/pc/D ... nt-c52.htm
If you really wanna chop people up in there and not be seen, try Blackwrap. It's aluminum foil painted flat black. I use it on some of my windows in my house. It blocks out light, heat and spy satellites.
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- Sheriff
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I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
- Posts: 3243
- Joined: Fri Aug 08, 2008 12:55 pm
- Location: The Pacific North Wet
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- I sleep in my van
- Posts: 754
- Joined: Thu Jan 24, 2008 11:50 pm
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Re: Covering Rear Windows for Camping
My vote is this, it's easy and cheap. I velcroed mine to the window and have pulled them off about 30 times so far without the Velcro coming off. Of course that's Cali weather so if I ever get out of here I will see how it holds up in hot weather.Herbie wrote:Before I got working on my curtains, I just used Reflectix cut to size so that it was a friction fit. Jam it into the window between the trim and glass and voila'. Works great to keep the van cool here in SoCal sun, too.
2guys1truck.com: 2004 AWD Chevy Astro from California to Colombia!
want to follow along, or think our paths may cross, Facebook kjswiley
want to follow along, or think our paths may cross, Facebook kjswiley
Re: Covering Rear Windows for Camping
Just to follow up on the velco comment, mine are now coming a bit lose, as well as smearing down the window. I am going to add new velcro and see if the problem was because its warmer now, or because of the time they sat in the window/sun. if it doesnt last about 3 months at a time I will look for an alternative, longer solution which I have in the back of my mind.
2guys1truck.com: 2004 AWD Chevy Astro from California to Colombia!
want to follow along, or think our paths may cross, Facebook kjswiley
want to follow along, or think our paths may cross, Facebook kjswiley
Re: Covering Rear Windows for Camping
Try using shelf paper stuck to the inside of the window. We did this on the French doors at the back of my house to stop the dogs from barking at birds.
1999 Safari Touring edition.
trailer tow pack with a 3:73 posi
Bucket bench seats, Rear heat, Rear Airconditioning.
teal green
300 000 kms
AirRide air bags in the rear to fix soft stock suspension.
Onboard aircompressor to make it all work nice.
trailer tow pack with a 3:73 posi
Bucket bench seats, Rear heat, Rear Airconditioning.
teal green
300 000 kms
AirRide air bags in the rear to fix soft stock suspension.
Onboard aircompressor to make it all work nice.