Insulating window covers for sliding door Econoline.

[dbhosttexas]

So everyone seems to make insulating window covers for the cab windows, windshield, back windows, and barn door / swing out style side door windows for Econolines, but I cannot find one for my sliding door van... I know I can go back with a blackout curtain, the original curtain has seen better days, but go to Wally World, get a close enough blackout curtain and have the tailor shop copy the original and maybe add some magnets to the front and bottom of it and we are good to go with ample privacy.

Just wondering if maybe someone knew of a vendor that actually sold the insulating window covers for the sliding door vans though. That would be faster to install, and help a lot more with insulation.

[BrianW]

Just get a roll of Reflectix from Home Depot and cut your own. Easy and relatively cheap, and they work fine.

[dbhosttexas]

I was planning on doing that for the Penthouse top canvas. I don't want the sliver reflectix showing outside of the windows making it obvious that this is a camper with somebody inside. I am considering going to Wally Wold and picking up some blackout curtains in black and making an insulating blackout sandwich of sorts for the side windows. The Sportsmobile fitted windows are a far cry from common pre made sized windows anyway.

My goals here are multiple.
#1. Privacy. The factory curtains are either missing or damaged. And really didn't offer squat for privacy when it comes to letting interior light out of the van, or keeping outside light out so I can sleep in longer if I want to... The day / night shades the Sportsmobile fitted windows, and rear door windows are fitted with work okay, but not great. there is still a good amount of light bleed through.
#2. Insulation. I live, and camp in the south, Texas to be specific, and it is stinking HOT here. I plan on travelling to the mountains of the Pacific Northwest during my vacation time this upcoming winter, and will need that extra layer of not letting the heat OUT as well....

I think you have given me a good idea though. For the sliding door window. Like I said I will make that blackout curtain / reflectix sandwich using the original but slightly torn curtain as a template. Add magnets around the sides and bottom to insure it closes off The ones for the remaining side windows and back windows will have to slide into place and be friction fitted.

This would allow for the privacy and insulation that I want with at least some level of a not home made butcher job look to it...

[boywonder]

I fabricated window covers from reflectix and headliner material......they work great. I've modified them through the years, some are now magnetic and the front window covers have tabs that I can grab with the window closed.





I can post a few more pics if people are interested.....


The window behind the driver's seat (in the passenger van) and the window in the 60 barn door both open; I've installed ring magnets in the hinges of those windows and glued washers in the window shades..they work great.

[dbhosttexas]

Originally Posted by boywonder

I fabricated window covers from reflectix and headliner material......they work great. I've modified them through the years, some are now magnetic and the front window covers have tabs that I can grab with the window closed.





I can post a few more pics if people are interested.....


The window behind the driver's seat (in the passenger van) and the window in the 60 barn door both open; I've installed ring magnets in the hinges of those windows and glued washers in the window shades..they work great.

Pretty similar to what I am thinking. My OE curtains snap on, one of the snap holes blew out, and nothing attaches to the bottom so it even if the snap was still there, would tend to snag as the door slides. I plan on sewing in magents along the sides that would allow me to flip up a small portion of the shade and pop the window open for ventilation when needed. The sliding door and back door windows are pop open type, the Sportsmobile installed windows are slide side x side type. I almost want to replace them with the 2 piece type where the bottom pops open as I can have those open in the rain... My sliders I can't.

[boywonder]

A few more pics:



Ring magnets (and fancy stainless flat socket cap screws) mounted to the window hinges:





Tabs (made of webbing material) glued on the the front window shades (just did this mod, works great!)....close the window on the tabs:





Shades:





I was planning on trimming the edges with some webbing but haven't got there yet...

[dbhosttexas]

So the solution is sort of in progress. I have the original curtain which just snaps on at the top and dangles freely below. I am having my local tailor that does a lot of my custom stuff since I suck at sewing, copy the original with sacrificing a Walmart Insulating blackout curtain. Add snaps to the sides and bottom, and corresponding to the van door. and in turn add some 1/8" thick foam weather stripping to take up any gap the meeting of curtain and van door may have to eliminate any light bleed through. Using the same curtain material I need to figure out a backer but I think I can manage to make slide in black out shades for the side and back windows.

[JWA]

Hopefully not dragging this great thread too far astray but someone here once used (or suggested) these suction cups to attached window shades in place, might work in some instances? FWIW: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...10?smid=&psc=1

If not those exact parts maybe something similar?

[boywonder]

Originally Posted by JWA

.. someone here once used (or suggested) these suction cups to attached window shades in place, might work in some instances? FWIW: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...10?smid=&psc=1

If not those exact parts maybe something similar?

I've found it to be real challenge to keep these puppies securely in the windows.....and it seems like we have:

Snaps (drill holes for mating snap feature around window)

Magnets (glue washers or magnets around window-perhaps behind the plastic trim?, or bolt ring magnets to hinges on windows that open...embed steel washers in shades)

Tabs (works well on the front roll-up windows)

Suction cups (maybe works well on all the windows, I haven't tried this)

[JWA]

Since the rear/cargo area is pretty much isolated from the front seating area and already having factory privacy glass I simply used "limo tint" film on the Club Wagon windows.

For the two front doors I use a cut-to-fit radiant barrier insulation placed against the door shell when closing the door during parking etc. The windshield has one of these ready to deploy along with my side shields: Windshield Sunshade by Intro-Tech Automotive Very high quality, semi-rigid so they stay in place but still easily folded to stow away.