Caravan window protection

HT11
HT11 Forum Participant Posts: 100
edited January 2023 in Overseas Campsites & Touring #1

Hi

Anyone got  any thoughts on how to protect caravan windows from very hot Spanish sunshine ? I was wondering about sewing some UV protection fabric onto awning rail cord and letting it hang down and cover the front caravan windows. This would keep some of the heat out of the caravan and we could still open them, whilst deflecting it off the windows. I noticed that a lot of Europeans  do actually have window caravan covers for the summer but I bet they are really expensive. 

Thank you

Comments

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,856 ✭✭✭
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    edited January 2023 #2

    Could you not use a heavy material like a dark coloured towelling with some elastic around the edges which would just fit onto the open window? 

    David

  • iansoady
    iansoady Forum Participant Posts: 419
    edited January 2023 #3

    Or those reflective covers that motorhomers use? They're cheap enough.

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited January 2023 #4
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • commeyras
    commeyras Forum Participant Posts: 1,853
    1000 Comments
    edited January 2023 #5

    There are stickers on my caravan windows warning that if using the blinds you should not fully close them to avoid overheating and damage to the windows.

    We have been to Spain/Italy many times and never had a problem, we just leave the windows on 'night vent' and close to blinds about 80%.

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
    1000 Comments
    edited January 2023 #6

    It's a pity that the additional track is no longer part of the fitting. Using blinds, however configured can impair the ability to get a cooling breeze into the van. Reflective covers with a bit of bungee shouldn't be beyond most people's skills.

  • HT11
    HT11 Forum Participant Posts: 100
    edited January 2023 #7

    Thank you for the suggestion-I did think about putting a cover on but I think without some form of reflection, the window will just absorb the heat and we won't need any more heat inside the van (40' outside, last year)

  • HT11
    HT11 Forum Participant Posts: 100
    edited January 2023 #8

    I quite agree about the blinds. We always have ventilation in the  van and as in yours, (??Elddis)- the stickers tell you not to close the blinds completely and therefore, we don't. Another thing I noticed, last year, was that the sealing mastic below the window seals started to get very sticky and begin to run a little. My thoughts were to try and find a way to reflect direct sunshine away from the windows, hence my thoughts on using a UV reflective soft fabric.

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,299 ✭✭✭
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    edited January 2023 #9

    On our blinds the fly blind bit follows the solid bit. I always leave a couple of cms  of fly blind open at the top. This allows the heat build up to escape, whilst most of the window is covered.

  • HT11
    HT11 Forum Participant Posts: 100
    edited January 2023 #10

    Our blinds are the separate fly screen and heat reflective blind. Although the windows are in the open position, the top of the window is very close to the H.R blind.

  • Hollik20
    Hollik20 Forum Participant Posts: 1
    edited October 2023 #11

    Hey HT11 Caravanner …Did you make external window covers after. I’m looking at what the best material to use might be as I know a seamstress who could make them, using elastic to fit inside the window to hold them on when open or closed. I did find a company who mkes them in Europe but they are extremely expensive. 

  • ValDa
    ValDa Forum Participant Posts: 3,004
    1000 Comments
    edited October 2023 #12

    You could use something like this:  Fabric to reflect UV light which is flexible enough to fit around a window.  If you elasticate all around you can slip them over an open window from the outside and then the elastic will hold them in place.  But you can't then see through the windows, so it makes it very dark inside the van.  Why not do as the Dutch do, and make a 'shade' for the front window something like this one - search for Bo-Camp - Caravan window awning - 180x75cm - Grey, , then just have covers on those windows which are actually in the sun.

    Or find campsites with a choice of sunny or shady pitches, where your windows never get so hot.

  • LLM
    LLM Forum Participant Posts: 1,555 ✭✭
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    edited October 2023 #13

    I searched "External window covers for caravans" and Google came up with some useful results.  Alternatively, go into a Spanish caravan / motorhome accessories shop and purchase over there.  Simples!

  • HT11
    HT11 Forum Participant Posts: 100
    edited November 2023 #14

    I ll check that link out- sounds promising. I actually bought some hgv windscreen protectors and sewed some elastic loops onto the edges and attached them to the caravan with limpets. They did the job but obviously it blocks any view out. The van was cooler in Spain though !!

  • HT11
    HT11 Forum Participant Posts: 100
    edited November 2023 #15

    I went to 2 Spanish caravan accessory shops in Spain and was disappointed with their range of products overall. They didn’t stock any such sun protectors for caravans. Google mainly brought up frost sunscreen protectors for cars/ lorries which I ordered and adapted for a temporary measure

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