Hi all, I have been a uk campsite member for a few years, but moved from caravan to camper! I have settled on magnetic cab curtains rather than a curtain behind the cab seats. But I am struggling to find any for my renault trafic 2017. Any suggestions/recommendations? Thanks. Feezee.
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Took a break like everyone over covid, flogged the caravan and got a campervan!
Google them. Plenty out there, some are vehicle- specific, others not. Looks like they’re mostly silver insulation blinds, which is no bad thing.
I can’t recommend any in particular but having recently got an external silver screen (oh what a faff putting it on! Definitely winter only), I think you’ll get what you pay for - I went for the cheapest & it’s thin with poor fixings. I expect similar rules will apply to internal blinds (and to other things in life).
The van will feel much roomier without the blinds behind the seats though. And much more snug.
Thanks Fiona. I just wanted the magnetic cab blinds for curtains not silver insulation blinds. But none fit my van. I may just go with internal insulation blinds if I can't find any. Good to know about the external one. I would seriously struggle to get those on alone as I am only 5'2.
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Took a break like everyone over covid, flogged the caravan and got a campervan!
Quote: Originally posted by Feezee on 02/12/2021
Good to know about the external one. I would seriously struggle to get those on alone as I am only 5'2.
I am 5’10 but it’s still a 2 person job unless you’re over 6’ with upper body strength. Unlike internal blinds, the external blind is one piece (or ours is) & takes off like a sail if it’s windy.
Internal silver screens will keep you warm in winter & cool in summer, and are un-see-through unlike material.
Feezee, what do you want the blinds for? Is it for privacy or insulation?
If it's the latter then the silver screens offer the best solution but the cheaper thin ones are next to useless as they don't offer much insulation.
Another problem we found with the internal screens is they don't prevent condensation build-up on the inside of the screen which can run down and get trapped between the coaming (the shroud that covers the gubbins in the dashboard), and the structure which can cause corrosion and get into the instrument electrics, neither of which you want.
We used internal screens on our first motorhome (albeit held on by suction poppers), but ever since we've used the external screens which are much, much better but once again don't go cheap, we've used the decent thick ones from both TaylorMade and Silver Screens, we rate both equally. We've never experienced internal condensation with an external screen (we're now on our 5th motorhome), but as with everything, there are downsides.
I don't have a problem putting the screen on or for that matter taking it off but then I'm 6' with upper body strength but MrsWez is very petite and 5'1", she has managed to fit the screens making use of a step.
They're quite bulky when in their bag, not a problem for us but may be in a smaller camper.
Like anything else, if it's outside and it rains they get wet, many's the time after a trip we've brought the silver screen home to dry it out, again something you may not want in your camper as you go from a to B (if ours is wet when we're moving between locations we stow it in the bathroom).
If you can find magnetic screens to go inside yours you need to make sure there's no gaps when they're fitted and the magnets are strong enough to work through the trim surrounding your door windows and windscreen.
Mr Wez,
Thankyou - really practical and detailed. At the moment I am thinking for privacy, however I have yet to sleep in there in cold weather, don't yet know what the level of cold and condensation may be, (I have a good heater) and am not sure yet if I will use the van enough in winter anyway. But I know I have a need for privacy and don't want a curtain behind the cab seats.
Thanks for being honest about the missus - that would be me with a small step ladder.
I didn't think about having wet blinds to carry around (no bathroom in our van) so I have more thinking to do I think.
Feezee
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Took a break like everyone over covid, flogged the caravan and got a campervan!
we have Remis internal blinds which are great for privacy BUT only for summer use as condensation becomes a massive problem, even without a heater on , just cooking, breathing and sleeping in the moho creates a lot of condensation, one issue with internal blinds, not yet raised, are they tend to let in a lot of daylight - so your late morning sleep in might be disturbed.
we also have an windscreen cover that fits externally, brilliant any time of year and really keeps out the light in the mornings. you can always store them in a waterproof bag, if they are damp/wet until you get to your next stopover? putting them on is actually quite easy as they fix around the wing mirrors with velcro straps and hook over the cab door to secure them in place. once you have got one side hooked on, its not that difficult to do the next.
we like having the option, but if it was only one option we had, then it would be external screens
I'm ok finding thick silver screen kits for my caddy maxi campervan windscreen and doors but not sure how to fit the side windows of my former life model. Do they sell it in rolls and you cut to size or are there kits?
Thanks for alerting me to the potential condensation problem over the dash with the silver screens . I'm thinking of putting newspaper to soak any condensation up . Do you think that will prevent water ingress creàting rust ?
Don’t get too hooked up on the condensation issue. It’s only when the weather gets cooler. I’d suggest rolled up towels rather than paper: they dry & get used again, you have to bin wet newspaper.
It’s a topic that’s been covered before. We put a loose silver sun screen up before closing the Remus blinds because we find they let light in along the bottom, and we close the visors for the top for the same reason.
If you carry an extra step (rather than only use the normal electric step to enter the van. Or maybe the van does not have it's own habitation step?) You will not find it a problem to fit the screens. Silverscreens are certainly the BEST window screens. WE went for a cheap inside one in 2008...we binned them in 2008. Silverscreens are the Business. The reason for the extra step is because some people are shorter than others and carry a step. By the way, Silver also protect from sun not just cold / condensation and rain. They are made so you are able to enjoy the view from the van with their built in option to lower either half way down or all the way down. Just tell them the van make and model, The year it was made and the length of the arm of the 'wing' mirrors. You will not be sorry or regret it. I know of nothing that can be fitted inside that will stop both the condensation, cold and give you a view.
All thanks for the advice. I got good quality internal silver ones in the end. I have a neck condition and concluded concluded didn't want to be balancing on steps to reach for external ones given my short height!
I tested them
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Took a break like everyone over covid, flogged the caravan and got a campervan!
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Topic: Magnetic cab curtains
via mobile 02/12/2021 at 1:18pm
