Get yer curtains out!

[Jim D]

Hi All and Happy new year.

we are in the process of making some new curtains for our van but don't really like the set up of how they are attached and work.

My girlfriend has previously made some blackout curtains but there's still lots of light around the edges that gets both in and out (we do a lot of wild camping, less light getting out makes us feel invisible, ninja stylee)

what kind of set up do you all have for your curtains. please can you post pictures as I'd love to know what kind of various set ups everyone has in for this.

thanks

Jim

[itchyfeet]

No curtains, only thermomats will keep the light out if you wan't to sleep past sunrise, keeps the heat down in summer too, it's more of a faff but once you are parked up you can leave alot of them in place all day because you are mainly outside when camping.

[slowcoach]

No curtains, only thermomats will keep the light out if you wan't to sleep past sunrise, keeps the heat down in summer too, it's more of a faff but once you are parked up you can leave alot of them in place all day because you are mainly outside when camping.

Magnets! I bought 20 50p sized magnets, that keep any curtain against all the metal round the window frames. Works very well, wish I'd done t years ago instead of faffed on with Velcro.

Doesn't solve the front cab area, but it's plenty dark to sleep late we find anyway.

[CJH]

+1 for thermal mats.

I have a wrap-around thermal screen for the cab area (MUCH easier than faffing about with curtains) and internal screens in the back (plus curtains to make it look nice inside ) This setup keeps daylight out (making it easy to lie in), keeps the heat in on cold nights, and greatly reduces condensation on the glass.

[tforturton]

+2 for thermal mats.
I don't have any curtains, and only put the mats in the van when I need them. However, they do take up space when not in use, and they're a bit of a faff to put up (especially the front and rear screens). It can be a nuisance taking them down, then putting them up again, when you're touring, though the rear side screens can stay in place while you're driving. Just imagine you're driving a panel van!

[DoubleOSeven]

+3 thermal mats, I couldn't imagine drilling the van to put a curtain rail in, a very non-returnable retrofit upgrade. Keep it original folks. I like the more modular approach to interiors.

[jrt]

+4 for thermal mats. Still got the old curtains in the van but haven't used them when camping recently, the mats definitely better when winter camping.
David

[Ant-t]

 +5 for thermal mats, I have blackout curtains fitted as well with velcro to reduce any light spill

[Jim San]

I got stretchy curtains mounted on rails top and bottom. quick to use and tidy. wrap around external screens for front.

[Jim D]

Thank you very much for every ones response so far.

It seems thermo mats are very popular.

We used to use thermo mats, but while travelling I found they took up too much room and were a pain to keep putting up and taking down. Plus the suction pads kept getting loose.

I have found, especially as I've been using the van a lot this winter, that without them there's more condensation on and around the window.

Has anyone found a way to reduce the condensation on the exposed metal around the Windows. (Except to avoid camping in winter/ extended Autumn this year)

[Jim D]

Also,

I have thought about the magnets as well. Velcro didn't work too well for us.

[JonB]

I made curtains using blackout material and a patterned material shaped to just bigger than the window apertures. Then sewed in neodymium magnets. Works great, even made a curtain across the bulk head so my daughter could sleep in the cab bunk whilst we sat/slept in the van.

[ghost123uk]

I have a set of thermal mats, but being a Tin-Top I am a bit short of stowage space for them, I tend to only take them when I am going to an 80-90 meet / VW show or similar "proper" camping scenario, where privacy is my main concern, not keeping out the daylight. For the more "occasional" overnight stops I use some fairly thin flowery curtains simply mounted on that springy net curtain wire, secured to the van with small eyelets screwed into tiny holes at the top right hand corners of the windows. Works ok for me as I tend to wake up when it gets light anyway (except maybe in mid summer).

I do quite a lot of "occasional" overnighters, at various places and for various reasons, including in the colder / wetter months, so this =

Has anyone found a way to reduce the condensation

is a constant consideration for me. The condensation can be quite considerable, pooling at the bottom (obviously !)
I tend to towel the windows down in the morning, and seal the towel in a plastic bag for washing at home later.
Then, when driving home, I have the Propex and the normal heater on full, and have both front windows open a bit, just to help dry it out.
Not much more one can do I reckon.

[itchyfeet]

Has anyone found a way to reduce the condensation

Make less water vapour or dry out what water vapour you make.
So don't cook in the van or have the door open and vent it well after cooking.
Your breathing is probably the biggest source of water in the van so you need vents in the windows all night and having a heater on helps.

[Smcknighty]

Halfords had a good deal on bags of clay (hard to describe better than that!) that you leave in the van and that absorb moisture. You can then recharge it in the airing cupboard. I have mine sitting on the dash at the moment - it's hard to prove if it's working or not but anecdotally the screen feels clearer