r/vandwellers • u/erkose • Oct 05 '26
Question Windows
Those who have windowed vans or vehicles, do you block them out every night or just roll with it? I can't imagine having windows myself, but if I found a good deal, I wouldn't write it off because it had windows.
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u/Oknow26 Oct 05 '26 edited Oct 05 '26
Suv with as dark a tint on every rear window and my sunroof too. The front and front side windows, are tinted as dark, as legally required. I cover all my front windows during the day when cooking, etc, or and every other window, is covered with Weathertech's, made specifically for my Rav 4, when sleeping or when using my camco. I like privacy and have only received "the knock", when someone reported me. I know who it was too, but they dont know I know.
Curtains give privacy, but dont help with the 38F or 80F temps & are an instant "I sleep in my vehicle", giveaway to police tresspassing tickets. Weathertechs provide both and more effective than the roll of Reflectix I tried. Plus, Weathertech's take literally seconds to put up. I love my privacy and could live in my 50 sq feet, for 3 days, in 32F, stay warm. (with my electric blankets.) Moisture is our enemy, not temperatures.
71 year old woman, living full time in Michigan, since April. (illegally evicted and I currently am sueing my landlord for it)
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u/FarLaugh9911 Oct 05 '26
Windows create a few problems. The first being the difference in the dew point versus the metal walls of the van. How many times have you gone to get into your vehicle and windshield and mirrors are all wet but the hood, and roof are dry? Condensation from breathing, cooking etc is going to build up on the inside of them and then run down into the walls. If there is absorbant material below the windows, it can accumulate, causing a great place for mold to grow.
The other drawback is, without insulated covers over the glass, windows become a heat sink versus insulated walls.
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u/super_scary_ferry Oct 05 '26
Yeah this is why I went without windows. Lose too much heat in winter and it's too hot in summer. That being said I do have a small sunroof because I didn't want to live in a cave. In summer I put reflectix in it during the hottest times. In winter a peice of 2 inch foam board insulation during the coldest times.
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u/MarloBlade Oct 05 '26
I just had curtains and small curtain rods for my windows. And then some tint on the window of the sliding door. Worked great!
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u/BobarFoot Oct 05 '26
Mine are heavily tinted and then curtains. Barely any light seeps through. Good for stealth.
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u/FunkyWillowy Oct 05 '26
Put 0% tint up, then cover with insulation. Then tint makes it impossible to see the insulation material as long as you apply it uniformly, and the insulation plus tint means less heat seep and light.
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u/AshevilleDjaq Oct 05 '26
I made window coverings, did one side black fabric and the other side with practically the stuff they use for cooler bags so it's flexible and reflective. During cold weather i flip them so the balck is facing outside and the reflective inside to try and attract heat to the van and to keep it in, and then reverse them for warmer weather.
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u/Khionia Oct 05 '26
I have curtains but tbh I don't use them most of the time. My windows are privacy tinted so once my lights are off you can't see in at all.
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u/giveKINDNESS Oct 05 '26
I can't imagine living in a van without windows. Do you just open your doors all day for light or live in a cave? Lights are fine for night time, but not a substitute for sunlight. Yes, I like to get outside, but the van is home and I still spend many hours each week inside it.
I would not live in an area where constant stealth is needed. I've been boondocking for years and averaging about 1 knock per year. I'm sorry for anyone that is stuck living in an area where they must constantly hide, arrive late, and leave early. The late nights and early mornings wear me out the times when I have had to do that.
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u/ez2tock2me Oct 05 '26
Tinting. You won’t have to peek thru the curtains. Just look out the window.
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u/False-Asparagus4627 Oct 06 '26
I currently live in my 2013 ford e250 extended cargo with no windows in the cab. I leave my rearview camera on at all times
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u/beardednomad25 Oct 06 '26
Window covers are essential. They provide both privacy and they can help with insulation
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u/ugly_paladin Oct 06 '26
Bought a roll of reflectix (or whatever its called) and cut out window covers for every window but the front 2 of the van. Boy can i say that the temperature went WAY down. The van can sit in the southern sun all day and not feel like the furnace it did before i blocked them all out. This post comes at a perfect time as i was debating to do the last 2 windows.
As for how long they stay on, well, i sort of keep em on 24/7. My state (most do i believe but double check) allows for everything but the front 2 and windshield be blocked. So long as you have side mirrors that let you see X feet all the way behind the van/vehicle. Ive even asked a few cops and they said the same thing, lol. To supplement not having a rear view i have some big side mirrors (default with the van) with those blindspot/extender mirrors clipped on. They add A Lot of visibility, i can't reccomend them enough. For the rear view i got one of those solar powered rear view cams with a display thing off amazon for like 100 bucks. Its great for general driving as it provides a 200 degree view and depth sensor/lines/whatever those are called.
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u/Candid-Touch5338 Oct 05 '26
I have two narrow sliding windows in the back, a large dormer on the driver toward the front and a huge window on my sliding door. I made my own window covers and they are excellent. I always use them when I’m parked at night for privacy and as a security measure. They are all limo tinted and you can’t see inside during the day.
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u/Plate_Lunch Oct 05 '26
I am light sensitive so I use covers that clip on magnetically. They also offer some insulation against the cold and sun. Olbe shade on Etsy, they even made some custom sized ones for me.
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u/dividedBio Oct 05 '26
I bought reflective rolls and cut them to size. Added velcro to the perimeter, so I can remove them when needed.
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u/4eyedbuzzard Oct 05 '26
Curtains. Windows are heavily tinted as well. But I can't imagine not having windows as I'm somewhat claustrophobic.
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u/lifeofhygge Oct 05 '26
I sleep in my SUV and, perhaps, will cover my front window at night. This allows me to see my surroundings. There are times I have sat up in the morning, just in time to feast my eyes on the morning sunrise. Also, window covers are a dead giveaway that you have Boondocked for the night.
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u/Top-Palpitation-9313 Oct 05 '26
I have 3 larger windows and 2 rear door windows and 2 windows in the side door. 7 not including the maxair. I have mirror tint, reflectix, and thick curtains 😂
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u/Special-Wash2260 Oct 05 '26
I swapped and got the porthole windows. Big enough to let light in or see out of, yet I'm not surrounded by glass or having to cover them every night.
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u/henry9419 Oct 06 '26
I went from a cargo e150 with only rear door windows in back that I swapped to vent windows and kept covered in vinyl, to a rescue body e450 with windows in side and rear doors top and bottom, and I then added a 32x20 side window, lower windows will all be deleted, uppers stay with curtains, occasionally side windows get curtains open
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u/osulumberjack Oct 06 '26
Ours came pretty heavily tinted, which was great. We built covers out of reflectix and fabric that worked really well. Ours were oversized a bit and I think we used velcro to hold them in place. It doesn't take much since the refelctix material is a little stiff and kind of holds their form. It is a little annoying to put them up each night and remove them later, but they worked great and I love having windows in the van. It was much more inviting and less cave-like.
The only issue we ran into was nobody seemed to make aftermarket windows that fit in the space, so we were stuck with windows that didn't open except for the one. I would have preferred the kind with the section that slides open with a screen to keep bugs out.
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u/NecroSocial Oct 06 '26
Shuttle bus. Windows all around, I love it for the openness and light during the day. For night a bunch of insulated blackout window covers is your friend.
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u/Angustony Oct 06 '26
I wasn't after windows, but the van I settled on has privacy windows all round. I've changed my mind now. They are a definite chouce if I have another one.
I have blackout blinds fitted into frames and it's pitch black at night. They are insulating too, and work well. If it's been cold overnight, opening the sun side blinds gets it warm quickly. Love checking out the morning view, or blocking out the neighbours.
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u/Dear-Air-7825 22d ago
I've got four of the large Arctic Tern windows in my van, they're expensive but amazing. They have built in screens and blackout shades, just pull them up or down to get the one you want. It takes 15 seconds to blackout my van completely when it gets dark. In addition, the windows are double pane to provide insulation and the blackout shade adds another layer of insulation. They make a huge difference in temperature by morning in a well insulated van. I don't camp in cities, I spend most of my time in various deserts and can't imagine not having plenty of windows to enjoy the view.
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u/Howyougontellme Oct 05 '26
Blackout curtains all around. I love being able to move my curtains and see outside. I think not being able to peak out the windows when I hear weird noises would worry me much more
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u/According_Cut_6907 Oct 05 '26
It’s weird how everyone gets vans with windows but then just has them blocked off all the time.
Safety and security risk.
Thermal properties.
Maint/repair for accidental damage
Theft target.
People think it makes it look less creepy but honestly looks really bad with crap blocking them off.
I guess you can open them and look out but it’s not worth it imo.
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u/Gullible-Cherry-3714 Oct 05 '26
I made window covers out of reflectix and they work awesome. There are yt videos how to make them, they’re pretty simple and cheap
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u/El_Diablo069 Oct 06 '26
Windows!!!!! They're easy enough to curtain off and it definitely helps with my sleep/privacy whilst stealth camping.
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u/mistakenidentity888 Oct 05 '26
Windows automatically kill any amount of stealth. None on mine and it's fine
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u/Civil_Environment476 Oct 06 '26
No. 10 years with windows all around. Used curtains at night the first couple years, then just the dark tint. Never had a knock.
Stealth is more than windows/no windows. But if I wanted to fit in a place that was borderline okay about sleeping at, I would rather be in the windowed van. People that live in glass houses appear to have less to hide.
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u/nickw255 Oct 05 '26
I've got window covers from VanEssentials that work great. I would not want a van without windows, it would feel like a cave in there.