Making the Shades Better

eric1514 · 07-16-2015, 10:07 PM

The Travato comes with these "mouse-fur" window coverings for the windshield, driver and passenger windows. They fit well enough but they're not opaque, they let radiant heat in and the Velcro used to attach the windshield shade will destroy the mouse-fur in short order. So...

I had some attic-foil left over from putting a radiant barrier in my attic. Attic foil is two pieces of thick aluminum foil sandwiching a wide weave (1/8") nylon mesh. The result is a really strong aluminum foil that you need to use a scissor to cut and in the case of your attic, you can hang it with staples and it won't rip. It comes in a roll.

First we laid it out on the floor and cut it to size.

Then we sewed it by machine along the edge to the mouse-fur and trimmed it closer.

The final product in position.

That's the passenger window. The driver's is the same and windshield is also. It looks stock from the inside only the cab is now dark and noticeably cooler. The only thing remaining to do is pursue a different solution to the tabs that go behind the sun visors that were formerly held on by velcro. I've got some clasps I can sew on by hand or I might install some brass grommets. I haven't decided yet. I'll append this post when I figure out that detail. The foil adds some stiffness to the original material and it's tending to stay in place on its own.

An alternative to attic foil is survival blanket or "space" blanket. Coghlan makes one that a lot of pop-up trailer owners use to cover their tenting to reflect the sun or keep heat in during the winter. Here's a link. Coghlan Emergency Blanket. You'll have to get a couple and tape them together with foil tape.

Eric

wincrasher · 07-16-2015, 10:10 PM

Wincrasher's Travels: Reflectix Window Covers for Travato

avanti · 07-16-2015, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eric1514

The Travato comes with these "mouse-fur" window coverings

Darn! I though you were going to say that you replaced the mouse-fur with cat-fur.

eric1514 · 07-16-2015, 10:39 PM

There's more than one way to skin a cat.

Davydd · 07-16-2015, 11:17 PM

Typical cat. Be not where the action is. Be on the action.

RTVATO · 07-17-2015, 10:03 PM

I'm still hoping that SOMEONE will come up with shades for the Travato that can be mounted on all of the windows and don't have to be stored elsewhere like the expensive REMI ones that you can get for Sprinters. They have them for the Ducatto but we can't use those here because of the airbags. I noticed that on the Zion they installed tracks on the rear doors for curtains that stay put. I'm tempted to try that but afraid to start drilling holes in the doors.

eric1514 · 07-17-2015, 11:41 PM

RE the REMI shades: A converter like Winnebago can't use them but I'm not sure we as owners can't install them. Do you have a link for them?

Eric

eurovanman · 07-18-2015, 12:35 AM

You can get the eclipse sun shade for less than 50 bucks. I have one on my eurovan and like it a lot. I use it every time I park because it only takes seconds to deploy and keeps people from seeing in the windshield of my van.
car sun shade, auto, truck, windshield, retractable, screen, sunshade

eric1514 · 07-18-2015, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eurovanman

You can get the eclipse sun shade for less than 50 bucks. I have one on my eurovan and like it a lot. I use it every time I park because it only takes seconds to deploy and keeps people from seeing in the windshield of my van.
car sun shade, auto, truck, windshield, retractable, screen, sunshade

They look translucent. Are they? I like the idea and the price, but something darker would be nicer.

eurovanman · 07-18-2015, 12:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eric1514

They look translucent. Are they? I like the idea and the price, but something darker would be nicer.

They are not translucent, they have a silver reflective coating on the outside. I did have to use some foam to plug the 1" gap between my windsheild column and where they ended up being mounted. I'll post some photos soon.

eric1514 · 07-18-2015, 01:05 AM

Please do. They're attractively priced and look convenient.

RTVATO · 07-18-2015, 01:26 AM

The eclipse certainly costs a lot less than Remis but Ram or Promaster is not shown as a choice to order. I'll email them and see what they have to say. Eurovanman, instead of foam, could you mount a u shaped chanel across the top of your window to form a track to fill the gap?
Eric, I don't have a linc for purchasing Remis for Ducato. Both Sprinterstore.com and Eurocampers carry them for Sprinters. I asked Eurocampers if they could get them and they said something like "not yet" so maybe there is an expectation that they will import them for Promaster in the future.

eric1514 · 07-18-2015, 01:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RTVATO

The eclipse certainly costs a lot less than Remis but Ram or Promaster is not shown as a choice to order. ..

Look under Dodge/Promaster/Full size van

RTVATO · 07-18-2015, 02:11 AM

Ahhh, Thanks Eric, I see it now in the detail. I wrote to them anyway to see if they custom make shades. If so, I'd want a pair for the windows in the rear doors, but they would have to make them fit well if they are to be "room darkening". If they come close I could see making a "valance" to hide the edges. Will advise when/if I hear back from them.

eurovanman · 07-18-2015, 02:16 AM

The foam is not for the top, putting the cab sun shades down holds the top close to the windshield. The foam is for the sides. It black foam an is hardly noticeable. This photo is not of my van, but you see the sides where there is a little gap that lets light through, but doesn't let people see in because of the angle of the windshield column.

RTVATO · 07-18-2015, 02:53 AM

Okay, got it. Thanks. I'm looking for "blackout". We are not ones for getting up with the roosters. Whatever it takes.

eurovanman · 07-18-2015, 03:05 AM

Well when I say lets light through I am speaking of possibly noticing light from the outside when lights are on the inside. As far as keeping the van dark during the daytime they work great. And as I did they can easily be modified for blackout.

eurovanman · 07-18-2015, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eurovanman

Well when I say lets light through I am speaking of possibly noticing light from the outside when lights are on the inside. As far as keeping the van dark during the daytime they work great. And as I did they can easily be modified for blackout.

Actually the Eclipse Sun Shade is not completely opaque. It will let light through which is nice if you like a bright van. You will need to use another product if you want complete blackout.

You may also like: