When we prepared for our overland journey to Southeast Asia in 2003, low budget equipment was key. So, instead of buying curtains or blinds, we took the roller shades from the house I was selling and used them for the Land Cruiser. It was the first set of car shades we had, but over the years others followed for different purposes.
Here’s what we’ll discuss in this blog post:
- Reasons to Use Car Window Shades
- Car window shades for daily use
- Car window shades to stay out of sight
- Car window shades for insulation
- Mosquito Netting
Read More: The Journey
1. Reasons to Use Car Window Shades
Before giving the list of WHAT we have, let’s talk about WHY we have them.
We have a couple of reasons:
Security
We always have the shades down when we park the Land Cruiser e.g. to go shopping or sightseeing. In 15 years we’ve never had a break in so, while we have no statistics to show it works, we figure the shades do help.
Privacy and Safety
At night we use the roll-up blinds for privacy purposes, as well as to not to be spotted from afar when wild camping.
Insulation
In winter we have car shades for insulation.
Over the years we have tried different shades for different purposes. Here are among the ones we find the most useful.
Read More: The Essentials – Recovery Gear
2. Car Window Shades for Daily Use – Rolling Shades
Front and Rear Window
A roll-up blind in front (and rear) are the quickest to close and open.
Another option is to use reflective shades. We don’t because the front window of the Land Cruiser is relatively narrow and is placed fairly straight up. As such it doesn’t absorb as much heat as the average car window of modern cars.
Front-side Windows
For the windows on the sides we bought material and made custom-sized window shades, using velcro to keep it in place. Magnets or magnetic strips would be good options too.
3. Car Window Shades to Stay out of Sight – Blackout Shades
Front
Our front rolling shade isn’t a blackout screen. However, we do carry a dedicated blackout curtain, which we put up only when rough camping in a place where we prefer not to be spotted from afar. It’s kept in place with velcro.
Of course, it would make much more sense to combine the two into one and have blackout roller shade (it’s on the list for, oh you know, one day).
Rear
Our rear blackout rolling shade doesn’t keep out all the light as it doesn’t cover the whole area. But because we have tinted the rear windows, very little light is escaping and you barely see it from a distance.
Rear Sides
On the small windows at the rear sides we have a blackout shade. It’s an integrated system that doubles as mosquito netting. Super handy and we bought it in an outdoor store in the Netherlands (I can’t find it on Amazon).
Read More: DIY Awning – How To Build an Inexpensive Rear-door Car Awning
4. Car Window Shades for Insulation
In winter, the windows are the weak point to keep out the cold. During our freezing winter in Japan we learned that reflective foam insulation material in front of the windows makes a huge difference in staying warm.
We bought a roll and cut pieces to fit exactly in the front windows, side windows and also stuck it against the entire rear doors. We also put a piece on the floor.
Lessons learned
Contrary to what you see on the photo: the material should be put the other way around, so the aluminum side to the window. For the piece on the floor, the aluminum should be underneath.
Read More: How to Prepare Your Overland Vehicle for Winter
5. Mosquito Netting
From winter, let’s jump to summer. Technically not shades but it fits the topic so we figured to mentioned as well: mosquito netting.
In summer it’s hot enough as it is, particularly in a car without aircon. At night we put mosquito nettings on all windows so we can sleep with the windows open. As we studied the different kinds of mosquito netting available during the writing of this blog post, we found much fancier systems than ours, a really cool universal option with retractable canopy.
So, while there are the fanciest options available, we settled for the low-budget, custom-made versions. What kind of mosquito netting we use depends on the type of window:
Front-side Windows
Making use of the velcro already in place, I made mosquito netting that keeps it in place the same way. While magnets are perfect to keep the regular shades in place (see #2), velcro is a necessity to make sure all mosquitoes are kept out.
Rear Windows
This one was easier to make, simply sewing elastic bands all around.
Entire Rear Side
If it’s too hot and we are camped in a safe place, we can sleep with the doors open, putting a custom-made mosquito screen in place with velcro.
On a side note: the Rear-door Dust Screen
The rear doors don’t close properly so lots of dust comes flying in on unpaved roads. To minimize the dust, I have made a dust screen that I then put in place, using the same velcro set up.
Velcro is your best friend in an overland vehicle – make sure to add it to your vehicles first-aid kit!
Read More: The Land Cruiser’s Ins & Outs
Tips, Suggestions, Feedback?
We hope this overview helps you in the preparation of your ultimate overland rig.
What kind of car window shades do you use on your overland vehicle? Please share in the comment section below.
Check it out: the Landcruising Adventure Coffee-Mug Collection
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If it can help.. : You can find some little magnet band for free in the door joint of any scrapped fridge, if you need stronger magnets, it’s possible to find 2 of them into an old hard-disc (these are powerful, mind your fingertips) 😉
That cool. Thank you for your thoughts. We just met another couple of travellers who gave us some small powerful magnets just the other day. Great tips!
Covering the car windows with the help of window shades is actually a great option. During summer as well as winter seasons, to protect the food, yourself and your car as well, one can cover the car windows with shades. One can get different kinds and colors of car window shades. Thanks for sharing this!
Great ideas. I wanted to ask you what kind of glue you used to attach the velcro to the vehicle. I haven’t found yet a reliable glue that will withstand heat. Thanks!
Heya Pedro, we have struggled as well with glue and velcro, especially concerning metal and the expansion of it with temperature differences. We have found that Sikaflex or an equivalent PU glue will keep flexible enough to hold for a few years. You might want to check out the article I wrote on the rear awning. I use the same glue there.
Nice job with the mosquito netting!
Yeah, that magnet trick is useful and easy to handle. Thanks for great post.