Covering Rear Windows for Camping

A place to discuss all activities related to the Great Outdoors & Camping

Topic author
ascent4man
I am merely driving my van
I am merely driving my van
Posts: 4
Joined: Fri Jan 13, 2012 10:14 pm

Covering Rear Windows for Camping

Post by ascent4man »

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?
User avatar

MountainManJoe
Sheriff
Sheriff
I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
Posts: 3243
Joined: Fri Aug 08, 2008 12:55 pm
Location: The Pacific North Wet

Re: Covering Rear Windows for Camping

Post by MountainManJoe »

Curtains/blinds weren't mentioned.
User avatar

MrJames
I finally get the smurf thing
I finally get the smurf thing
Posts: 230
Joined: Thu Nov 10, 2011 9:47 am

Re: Covering Rear Windows for Camping

Post by MrJames »

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.
User avatar

arlon
I finally get the smurf thing
I finally get the smurf thing
Posts: 164
Joined: Wed Dec 28, 2011 8:56 am
Location: Midland Texas
Contact:

Re: Covering Rear Windows for Camping

Post by arlon »

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..
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...
User avatar

tribri1
I get chills without my van.
I get chills without my van.
Posts: 75
Joined: Tue Mar 29, 2011 8:09 am
Location: Portland, Ore

Re: Covering Rear Windows for Camping

Post by tribri1 »

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.
2000 Ford Econoline GTRV Full Camper
2003 AWD Astro-VTop-Surf/River/Roadtrip Rig - In the great campground in the sky

Kidhauler
I sleep in my van
I sleep in my van
Posts: 877
Joined: Wed Sep 13, 2006 5:46 pm
Location: Vancouver B.C.

Re: Covering Rear Windows for Camping

Post by Kidhauler »

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.
User avatar

Herbie
I sleep in my van
I sleep in my van
Posts: 674
Joined: Tue Aug 04, 2009 10:45 am
Location: San Diego, CA
Contact:

Re: Covering Rear Windows for Camping

Post by Herbie »

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.
Image

astrozam
I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
Posts: 2770
Joined: Fri Sep 08, 2006 2:57 am

Re: Covering Rear Windows for Camping

Post by astrozam »

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.
x2... and helps to keep van interior warmer in cooler weather

Topic author
ascent4man
I am merely driving my van
I am merely driving my van
Posts: 4
Joined: Fri Jan 13, 2012 10:14 pm

Re: Covering Rear Windows for Camping

Post by ascent4man »

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

97CargoCrawler
I sleep in my van
I sleep in my van
Posts: 754
Joined: Thu Jan 24, 2008 11:50 pm
Location: Near Los Angeles, CA
Contact:

Re: Covering Rear Windows for Camping

Post by 97CargoCrawler »

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
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.

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.
User avatar

MountainManJoe
Sheriff
Sheriff
I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
Posts: 3243
Joined: Fri Aug 08, 2008 12:55 pm
Location: The Pacific North Wet

Re: Covering Rear Windows for Camping

Post by MountainManJoe »

Image

97CargoCrawler
I sleep in my van
I sleep in my van
Posts: 754
Joined: Thu Jan 24, 2008 11:50 pm
Location: Near Los Angeles, CA
Contact:

Re: Covering Rear Windows for Camping

Post by 97CargoCrawler »

I prefer full back. Those tend to chafe. :D
User avatar

Wiley
I sleep in my van
I sleep in my van
Posts: 313
Joined: Mon Nov 22, 2010 3:02 pm
Location: Socal

Re: Covering Rear Windows for Camping

Post by Wiley »

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.
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.
2guys1truck.com: 2004 AWD Chevy Astro from California to Colombia!
want to follow along, or think our paths may cross, Facebook kjswiley
User avatar

Wiley
I sleep in my van
I sleep in my van
Posts: 313
Joined: Mon Nov 22, 2010 3:02 pm
Location: Socal

Re: Covering Rear Windows for Camping

Post by Wiley »

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

Kidhauler
I sleep in my van
I sleep in my van
Posts: 877
Joined: Wed Sep 13, 2006 5:46 pm
Location: Vancouver B.C.

Re: Covering Rear Windows for Camping

Post by Kidhauler »

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.
Post Reply