Window coverings for car camping

I saw the strawfoot ($$) and the Weathertech window covers, but I was wondering what else people use for blacking out all of the the windows for camping in the back of their rig??? any instructions on homemade window covers?? how do yours work if you have molle panels in the back windows?? I did my maiden camping voyage in the back and loved it, so now I want to mod it out for that purpose and the molle panels and window covers are next on the list... ty

 

Black foam core board cut to fit.

 

I used this and cut to match the Windows. Works pretty well

$18 INSULATION MARKETPLACE SmartSHIELD -3mm 24inx10Ft ReflectiveINSULATION Roll, Foam Core Radiant Barrier, ThermalINSULATION Shield - Engineered Foil

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0831T5X3Y?ie=UTF8

 

Untitled by redrunner87, on Flickr
IMG_9349 by Red Runner, on Flickr

Gets pretty dark inside.
IMG_9350 by Red Runner, on Flickr

 

I second Reflectix. It is Also available at Home Depot/Lowes. I just held it up to the window, roughy traced with sharpie, cut wide, then trimmed where needed until they wedged in. Requires no Velcro that can damage you’d interior liners, nor adhesives that will leave residue. If you cut right it will wedge into the edges of the window frame and stay by itself. You Can get a can of spray adhesive and put black fabric on one side or leave the outside reflective for hot climates. Takes maybe 20-30m to make a set. Makes a big difference camping in cold weather!

 

Just got my Strawfoot window covers in today and have to say, they're exactly what I wanted. Extremely well made, insulated, with rare earth magnets for attaching to the windows. Plus, they have a seam so I can fold down the top part should I want ventilation. Black on the outside, nickel on the inside, which matches the light gray headliner of my 2023 4Runner.

 

if you want to do it yourself, another thread with templates for the rear and quarter-panel windows:
https://www.4runners.com/threads/window-templates.29888/#post-422076

 

I think making templates out of cardboard, fine tuning then using ReflectX or similar is the best option. You can put black duct or gorilla tape on the outside so it doesn't scream van life.

 

Are you stealth camping or just want more privacy in camp areas.
I carefully fitted screens into 2nd row windows for ventilation. Carefully fitted cardboard template slightly larger than the glass , side to side and a couple inches shorter top to bottom. The trick part is to measure the glass slot difference on both sides of window frame as they are different. By fully seating your template into the deeper slot. The template needs fitted to close into the frame both sides, and top. The bottom fitted parallel to glass.
Attaching by lowering window. Insert the side into the deeper vertical track and into top of frame. Carefully nudge the template 1/4" toward the more shallow opposite side. Bump up switch on window to contact bottom of template.
Voila a insert with no gaps to allow bugs in-mosquitos, flies, no-see-ums etc.
I made my final screened window insert out of thin luan plywood. I cut out a window hole in center and glued in screening of choice. I added flexible vinyl base (home wall type) to bottom for sealing the slight gap and make more rain, bug proof.
If anyone wishes I can provide better photos. Just PM me.

 

I have the snap shades for my side windows keeps the bugs out so I can have my windows down and it’s hard to look inside from the outside with them

 

Buy these. I even forgot to take them off in the car wash once. Still good. I got large for the backdoors

$14 Car Window Shades, 2 Pack Breathable Mesh Side Car Window Sun Shades, Stretch Car Window Screens for Baby/Camping Heat Block UV Protection, Back Window Covers for Car, Truck, SUV, Van-(L 23x49x21)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B099NBSZN6

 

Holy crap those are expensive!!! https://strawfoothandmade.com/collections/toyota-4runner-5th-gen-2010-window-covers

 

Yes, but to me they're worth it. They can do things the other options cannot. I tried the Weathertech covers and they were horrible. Didn't stay put nor covered all of the windows, so I sent them back for a refund. I've looked high and low and have yet to find anything that compares to what the Strawfoot covers can do. I was hesitant for a long time but bit the bullet and made the purchase. Very well made and they perform as advertised. I'm happy with the purchase.

 

These are cheap and good. Slept in a bright QT lot and a bright Walmart lot…little to no light let in and folds up nice and flat.

$45 Proadsy 2025 Upgrade Window Sun Shade for 5th Gen 4Runner 2010-2024 2025 Side Rear Window for Baby/Camping UV Rays and Privacy Protect Accessories Set of 7

https://www.amazon.com/4Runner-Camping-Privacy-Protect-Accessories/dp/B0BB1Y8PZL

 

This thread finally got me to make a set out of this material. Local hardware store had a roll. 24inch width was sufficient. Took me a couple hours of putzing around to cut them out, but hopefully they’ll offer a bit of insulation for winter camping. Pro tip, cut them so that they are bigger than the window they are going over. The extra material (maybe an inch extra on every side) can be
smooshed into the corners and that seems to hold them up pretty well.

 

Do you have any pics of these installed?

 

1 crappy pic on Amazon

 

Let me go install them and grab a shot. I'll park it outside during the day and take the photo with everything dark inside.

 

I first did the reflectix with screening on top so i could open the windows a crack for ventilation, which worked great. Then i made another version with corrugated plastic sheets that fold away and have the screening on top (rear hatch and side windows).

If i get time and remember i'll take some pics. They work really awesome.

 

I failed and let the sunset before I stopped working. I will grab it in the morning on the driveway and creep the neighbors out when I crawl in and out of it with blacked out windows.

 

I was in a bit of a hurry but you get the gist. It's pretty dark. I could have done a better job on the front window. It's 1p here. Full sun.

 

Thank you! Very nice. How are they held in place?

 

I use this for my front windshield. Haven't made my window covers yet.

 

I wrap the exterior with heavy duty lawn and leaf bags and retro-reflective duct tape. Hope that helps indeedy.

 

They just pop into the space. On the side windows I roll them down a tiny bit and tuck the fabric in then roll it back up. There are clips that came with it but I have not needed them.

 

Perfect. Thank you.

 

Got some photos. Perfect for air flow and keeping out insects. Easy on/off as well.

 

Those look nice@ Do they stay in place just by pressure? Where did you get the corrugated material?

 

Thanks. I got the corrugated material from Home Goods and they fit just so perfect that the friction/pressure holds them in place. Making a template really helped with the precision needed so they fit just right.

 

I found a great, custom fit set of all eight windows on Amazon, for under CAD 100. I was skeptical, but they’re perfect. They mostly stay in place on their own, but there’s a clever suction cup design to keep them in place. It’s not worth making my own.



JWWY 4Runner window shades if anyone’s interested.