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Window coverings for car camping

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by littlemrnofear, Nov 26, 2021.

  1. Nov 26, 2021 at 8:10 PM
    #1
    littlemrnofear

    littlemrnofear [OP] New Member

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    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
     
  2. Nov 27, 2021 at 6:28 AM
    #2
    kwill

    kwill New Member

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    Black foam core board cut to fit.
     
  3. Nov 27, 2021 at 5:54 PM
    #3
    RedRunner87

    RedRunner87 Mall Crawler LVL Expert

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  4. Nov 27, 2021 at 5:57 PM
    #4
    RedRunner87

    RedRunner87 Mall Crawler LVL Expert

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  5. Nov 27, 2021 at 11:23 PM
    #5
    DRTYODA

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    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!
     
    kolter45, Rocksurfer and Wvmoonshiner like this.
  6. Oct 31, 2024 at 6:26 PM
    #6
    majmattmason

    majmattmason New Member

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    Baja Designs Fog Lights, Westcott Designs Rock Sliders, Start-X Remote Starter.
    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.

    IMG_1207new.jpg
     
  7. Nov 1, 2024 at 8:17 AM
    #7
    golfpilot

    golfpilot New Member

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  8. Nov 1, 2024 at 9:03 AM
    #8
    Rocko9999

    Rocko9999 New Member

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    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.
     
  9. Nov 1, 2024 at 3:30 PM
    #9
    Hungryhawk

    Hungryhawk New Member

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    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.
    IMG_8274.jpg
     
    Captain Spalding likes this.
  10. Nov 2, 2024 at 9:11 AM
    #10
    Pavo

    Pavo New Member

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    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
     
  11. Nov 2, 2024 at 11:14 AM
    #11
    kolter45

    kolter45 Inferno Pro & 4.0 Tacoma

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  12. Nov 2, 2024 at 11:18 AM
    #12
    kolter45

    kolter45 Inferno Pro & 4.0 Tacoma

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  13. Nov 3, 2024 at 4:24 PM
    #13
    majmattmason

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    Baja Designs Fog Lights, Westcott Designs Rock Sliders, Start-X Remote Starter.
    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.
     
    kolter45[QUOTED] and Radmandu like this.
  14. Nov 3, 2024 at 6:40 PM
    #14
    tk421

    tk421 Breaking things just to fix them.

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  15. Nov 3, 2024 at 7:09 PM
    #15
    McSpazatron

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    Dobinson IMS Warn Bumper CaliRaised Sliders 285/70 K02s
    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.
     
  16. Nov 4, 2024 at 8:45 AM
    #16
    Rocko9999

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    kolter45 likes this.
  17. Nov 4, 2024 at 11:28 AM
    #17
    Noodles

    Noodles New Member

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    Towel and duct tape. Don’t try to overthink it.
     
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  18. Nov 4, 2024 at 11:30 AM
    #18
    kolter45

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    1 crappy pic on Amazon
     
  19. Nov 4, 2024 at 1:36 PM
    #19
    tk421

    tk421 Breaking things just to fix them.

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    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.
     
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  20. Nov 4, 2024 at 2:21 PM
    #20
    Ripper238

    Ripper238 New Member

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    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.
     
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  21. Nov 4, 2024 at 8:27 PM
    #21
    tk421

    tk421 Breaking things just to fix them.

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    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.
     
  22. Nov 5, 2024 at 10:57 AM
    #22
    tk421

    tk421 Breaking things just to fix them.

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    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.

    PXL_20241105_184638700.RAW-01.COVER.jpg
    PXL_20241105_184645335.RAW-01.COVER.jpg
    PXL_20241105_184648782.RAW-01.COVER.jpg
    PXL_20241105_184705150.RAW-01.MP.COVER.jpg
    PXL_20241105_184801971.RAW-01.COVER.jpg
    PXL_20241105_184818847.RAW-01.COVER.jpg
     
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  23. Nov 5, 2024 at 11:11 AM
    #23
    Rocko9999

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    Thank you! Very nice. How are they held in place?
     
  24. Nov 5, 2024 at 12:18 PM
    #24
    Jennyjo14

    Jennyjo14 New Member

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  25. Nov 5, 2024 at 1:25 PM
    #25
    Noodles

    Noodles New Member

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  26. Nov 5, 2024 at 2:42 PM
    #26
    Acesandeights

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    265/70/17 BFG AT KO2, chapstick in the cup holder
    I wrap the exterior with heavy duty lawn and leaf bags and retro-reflective duct tape. Hope that helps indeedy.
     
  27. Nov 5, 2024 at 3:12 PM
    #27
    tk421

    tk421 Breaking things just to fix them.

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    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.
     
  28. Nov 5, 2024 at 3:20 PM
    #28
    Rocko9999

    Rocko9999 New Member

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    Perfect. Thank you.
     
  29. Nov 8, 2024 at 12:15 PM
    #29
    Ripper238

    Ripper238 New Member

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

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
  30. Nov 8, 2024 at 12:19 PM
    #30
    Rocko9999

    Rocko9999 New Member

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