Fastest Easiest DIY Car Curtains! | Window Covers for Car Camping

[@aaronharris8093]

I'm about to soon be living in my car to save money and get myself out of debt. All of my belongings are in storage and I will only have the daily necessities stored in my vehicle. I also bought a queenbsize memory foam mattress cover that i am going to fold in half and put in a black twin sized fitted sheet as my bedding. And for the cold I also got a zero degree sleeping bag. I really did not want to spend the money on window deflection. This video is super helpful for being more stealthy and saving a lot of money! Thanks a million man!!!

[@IdRatherBeHiking]

I'm glad it helps dude. Be wary of storage units, I had one for a while and I never pulled anything out of it. I could have rebought all the crap in there with the money I spent on the unit. Just make sure it is something really necessary you are storing and not just some ikea furniture.

[@kctyphoon]

Hope things are working out.

[@gorillaxrich]

This is my exact plight now...

[@harlowjademermaid1882]

I'm with ya, Dude. I'm im my ride right now as we speak, watching the snow fall. Its cold, small & cramped, but its only temporary. Heres to all of us in a nice, cozy, safe & affordable place - very soon.

[@terrykarney2515]

Bouta be in a escape full time lol

[@wandamckissick5756]

Watched your video yesterday and I just gotta say, SOLID advice! I've got a road trip coming up and will be sleeping in my SUV for 2 nights. I've tried sleeping on the road before and felt exposed and nervous so obviously didn't sleep much. I now feel I'll sleep just fine. I decided to buy a tension rod and a big blackout curtain I found on the sale rack at Walmart that I'll hang behind the front seats. That way, I'll have a way to peek out the curtain if I hear anything suspicious. Thanks for sharing this cheap and easy method and for having the common sense and know how to do it. Bravo!!

[@juliamarple3785]

Oh Thank You. Budget camper/roadtripper from a small town. Can't find reflectix. Besides the privacy issue, sometimes I just need to block the sun out of the side windows. I need to upgrade from packing paper & maps taped to the windows.

[@natalie306642]

For anyone worried about safety, I would def splurge on the black tape. You can see that silver duct tape from the outside & it will be pretty obvious someone is in there. If its just "Blacked out" it look more intimidating to others as well.

[@IdRatherBeHiking]

I found some black tape eventually and patched mine up

[@Fmkayla]

Yeah I’d go black tape too!👍🏻

[@bjuracek21]

great advice! thank you!

[@Nelson4207]

Why are ppl so scared all the time 🤦 get a gun, be a wolf, you dont have to be sheep 🤷 There was a time when ppl camped in tents and left their doors open, now everyones scared someone gonna get them allllllllll the time 🥷 😂 i dont know one person been grabbed up, not Dahmer stories in my lifetime in my city and ive got about a million, and not one, but ive heard tonssssss of ladies tell those lifetime movie stories 😂

[@zagmamaof3boys821]

Thank you!!!! I've been on and off homeless/car sleeping since I was 18yo I'm now 27yo and although I'm not sure in the states how well this would go over, it's the VERY first video/literally ANYTHING I've ever seen on how to make the whole car living situation easier on you and especially in the south with all the mosquito and bugs here, that T-shirt idea is GENIUS. So, from the bottom of my heart, thank you so So SO much!!!!

[@margieemack7211]

Getting yoga Matt's from the thrift store is another great way to cover the windows. Cutting in the shape of the windows. They stay put and are good insulation 😊

[@chompalotart8242]

I've been stressing about this car camping trip I planned and you saved me SO much money and SO MUCH stress

[@LyndaMarieRoy]

The Dollar Store XxL black t-shirt idea is an amazing idea! Thank you!

[@IdRatherBeHiking]

The only downside is if you are in Moab its 42 degrees / 105 F the double layer of shirt doesn't allow enough airflow at those temperatures

[@helloworld6160]

just a little tidbit I found out from duct taping the edges. if you don't use a tape that's heat resistant all that duct tape will start to melt in 90 degree heat and it's a b**** to get that stuff off.

[@IdRatherBeHiking]

I've been in Zion and Moab 38-42C | 95-105F for the past week+ and they have held up fine. Things I've stuck to my windshield with command stickies on the other hand... have fallen off.

[@hippieHawk]

Good to know, I am in the desert and in the shade it can get past 120 degrees

[@flowersafeheart]

Do they make a heat-resistant form of duct tape or what tape is recommended?

[@a.w.thompson4001]

​​​@@IdRatherBeHiking Brand name for the heat-tolerant duct tape, please? I hear you said Dollar Store, but given the melting issue, it'd be great to know more.

[@DispholidusTypus]

​@@flowersafeheartI highly recommend industrial gorilla 🦍 black tape or brown tape...

[@sherylmarshall2602]

This is the best way to make window covers. Nobody has given directions like you have this was the best thank you so much I've been in my Van for 4 years and have not gotten it right.

[@venusxxblue]

The shirt as a bug net is genius. I paid far too much for the "real" kind 🤦‍♀️😅

[@papasitoOC]

Me too

[@socom2173]

Get some vinyl window film, spray the outside and trim the edges to fit. Remove and use as template.

[@grimm4562]

If you get the large size roll of tinfoil you can fold and press along the edges of the widow for a perfect template very quickly.

[@posteroonie]

A good trick is to insert old plastic subway cards, loyalty program cards, room key cards, etc. into the edges of the window trim to hold up the shades and fill any light holes.

[@TheLimestoneCowboy]

Dude you rock. I’ve been scouring Amazon with no luck.

[@conanf129]

I am seriously exploring car camping to get out of debt as I got laid off recently. this is great. I ll try it out soon. Much thanks!

[@XabooAlex]

I am so impressed. I have always been concerned if I needed privacy in my car to use the toilet, it would be such a headache to cover all the windows in a hurry. Your video has solved that problem

[@timarcella]

Damn...

[@shamicentertainment1262]

If you’re taking a crap in your car you are beyond the worries of needing privacy

[@dandyer8351]

​@@shamicentertainment1262😂 lol when nature calls u do what u gotta do.

[@charlesmarcus7864]

This is Brilliant. I was going to invest all of this money into car curtains. Now I’ll DIY. Thanks Bud

[@IdRatherBeHiking]

Ive used them everynight for 65 days now and they are still going strong

[@thanatoskatakrima5864]

Brilliant! 😂😂😂 My lease is up next month and I’m going back to being off the grid. My SUV is ready for me. All I need is the covers for the windows! I’m so looking forward to this! This will be my second time doing this, but I had an RV back then. I wish I hadn’t sold it.

[@IdRatherBeHiking]

You can make due with a SUV.

[@LyndaMarieRoy]

Love your creative engineering projects! I’m looking forward to making the window shades. The use of duct tape beyond the edges, and the pull tab are brilliant.

[@IdRatherBeHiking]

A little update on that, as you use these over and over they'll flex and bend a bit, I just duct taped them again and they fit snug again.

[@aimsays]

The tape on the sides to hold the covers in place is genius! Thx so much!

[@alive-awake]

Those boughten ones you showed for the front are great! I got one of those for my little motorhome. Ordered according to my vehicle and it fit great and even had a velcro piece to put around the rearview mirror to hold in place besides using the visors on the side. Your cardboard and t-shirt idea is brilliant!

[@chrislocke1042]

I moved into my car yesterday and spent the night with shirts towels and whatever else to block light. I don't worry about people, that's my dogs department.. anyways I woke up half mad half asleep and said I need curtains.. this was the first video that showed up with what I typed in, and it worked perfectly. I'm in a very very dark car tonight.. but keep in mind you will need to tweek it some...I cut one to short I just take an added a piece to it and kepted rolling..I added a few stripes of tape vertical and horizontal to give it some stability that is nice and take my word for it.. on the side that faces out.. cover that duct tape up with some black electrical tape.. Thank you for the video. I'm gonna sleep good tonight.

[@IdRatherBeHiking]

glad it helped

[@gingerproject888network6]

I’m so glad I found your video before I purchase the screen mesh window cover. Saved me loads of money. Will be going to the thrift store & find 4 XXXL shirt for my SUV front & passenger windows. Kudos to your creative ideas! 🙏❤️🙌

[@gabrielpichardo1492]

Those foam boards that you used are actually perfect because aside from blocking out light or peeping toms they also have a little bit of insulation so it will be a little warmer inside when camping out in the cold. I made the window covers for my van out of a big roll of reflectix which was given to me by the grace of God. It was enough to do all of the side windows on my econoline. My wife and use the van for camping in when we go on road trips and its also where i hang out on my lunch breaks at work

[@IdRatherBeHiking]

Ya it does add a bit, still gets really cold in there. They do well against a bit of moisture too.

[@gabrielpichardo1492]

@@IdRatherBeHiking understandable. Get yourself a nice hefty sleeping bag and maybe a portable buddy heater and you can always double up the window covers

[@IdRatherBeHiking]

@@gabrielpichardo1492 New sleeping bag is already on the way, a heater is a good idea

[@gabrielpichardo1492]

@@IdRatherBeHiking yup , just make sure that its secured somewhere that nothing can fall in front of it and gets burned 🔥. Crack a window open just a little bit for ventilation

[@MR-nl8xr]

Just keep in mind that you are going to have to repeatedly keep making them, since after repeated use they will no longer just " push in ", due to material wear and loss of structural integrity providing the outward compression force to hold itself inside the window frame.

[@diywarren1776]

You can use small pieces of paper (letter size cut in half) and tape and tuck them in around the edges. More work somewhat but easier to to tuck them into all the corners and draw an accurate boundary. Once you have a paper ring around your window tape up, draw the edges and carefully remove it. You only need to tape it down a little to the glass and that makes removal easier. Cut it out and have a template

[@IdRatherBeHiking]

thats a good idea

[@silla-je9od]

I saw a guy use a bunch of aluminium foil to make the window cover patterns.

[@diywarren1776]

@@silla-je9od oh yikes. I guess aluminum foil is recyclable so in that sense not terrible. But you could cut plain paper into small sizes and so that’s not too is bad in my eyes

[@grimm4562]

Aluminum foil worked very well for me also. I happened to have a large size roll on hand.

[@henryanderson7606]

I used a pattern roller/marker (from a fabric store)that leaves little holes along the line then cut along the pattern of little holes....worked perfectly for me!

[@zackjandali]

The "can't find double xl in Canada but in the states you can find triple xl for sure!" comment as a probably unintentional stab at obesity in America was hilarious XD

[@ijustfollowthesun]

I commented on that too 😆

[@luispinheirodosmontes7219]

Pretty much "in your face" comment 😂

[@scottsmith3236]

Merica #1

[@martina21953]

We're all muscle, what is he talking about? LOL!

[@sallym4149]

It's the freehanding and getting a template correct that was my entire problem..

[@IdRatherBeHiking]

takes a bit to get it for sure. Can always fix it with black tape

[@heath1982]

is this posterboard or foam board?

[@tomguarente]

Wow, will be doing this before travelling Europe in my Volvo at end of the week! Thanks for the advice :)

[@bjuracek21]

I'm getting ready for a long road trip and this will be perfect for me. Thank you so much! The black T-shirt idea for ventilation is awesome!

[@jasonfitzpatrick414]

Good ideas. Much better than my reflectix ordeal. I've wasted 75 dollars so far and not a happy camper.

[@martina21953]

I haven't used mine and am taking it back.

[@shazz4804]

Thankyou, im currently setting up my car to do some camping trips (Australia) and this video is really helpful, love DIY stuff.

[@IdRatherBeHiking]

I'm glad, I just used those for 3 months straight and they held up well. I ended up bending the corner to let in a bit of air on the front 2 side windows.

[@martina21953]

I am definitely going to try these ideas. The XL T-shirt is a great idea!!! I'm heading out to the Good Will store tomorrow!

[@WandaWorley]

You showed proof that all Stealthing/Nomads can utilize and do what is best for our vehicle and working environment! Even if there are those that don't/can't work... This video helped TRAMENDOUSLY! ~ Thank you!

[@IdRatherBeHiking]

cheers

[@RollTimeratYT]

I understand black landscaping fabric works in a pinch for window curtains.

[@michaelgeorge2963]

Did your strategy for my Outback and it works like a charm!! Cheap and easy

[@IdRatherBeHiking]

Awesome Machael glad it helped

[@dreze000]

Thank you. I really like this version better than all of the other DIY and even the expensive premade ones. I will try to use a stiffer type of material to use for the windshield with the extra tape to jam it in place. Also in my Gen 3 Prius, the back hatch glass is almost flat and even the premade ones fall down... Still would need to be in two pieces as well.

[@SarasotaTim]

Genius dude I almost bought the WeatherTech $175 window shades

[@IdRatherBeHiking]

glad it helps!

[@SarasotaTim]

@@IdRatherBeHiking actually I did buy the WeatherTech custom-made window shades for my 2021 Toyota 4Runner for $200 and have no regrets they’re very high-quality and fit perfectly. When they’re in you can’t see your hand in front of your face in the middle of the afternoon.

[@unburriedtalents599]

Tshirt idea very clever! Thanks for all the tips.

[@hansschmid3937]

Perfect done..exactly my taste! Useful nice and easy! Gratulations and thank you for showing!

[@RelatosParanormales444]

What a smart and resourceful dude, very effective too thanks for the ideas

[@IdRatherBeHiking]

cheers

[@pedalbyte]

Thank you! Absolutely fantastic solution for privacy issues while car camping.

[@nolacoolsim384]

What a great solution for this problem!! Thanks for the video.

[@SsroseL]

How long has the poster board lasted for? I'm curious if they held up to the condensation that forms inside. I was going to use cloth material and sew suction cups on so I could fold it and store it.

[@jobird354]

A great video. Thanks for sharing. I had one of the front windscreen covers you used. I loved it to keep the car cool in summer.

[@razmikoye9983]

These are amazing but if you lazy and need an instant solution buy black garbage bags and tape every window with electric tape.

[@brendadoyle7926]

This is so creative. I'm going to busy DIY over the next few days!

[@PlaysByEar]

Gonna try this next time after getting briefly terrified by a lady banging on my door asking for money at a rest stop last night, and right after I fell asleep too! One question that occurred to me when I woke up the next day, though: Do you have any issue/deterioration from condensation that occurs on the windows inside the vehicle after a cold night?

[@IdRatherBeHiking]

they will slowly warp in the winter and get less tension over 6 months. After 1.5 years I had to remake so far only 1 of them

[@calij586]

Glue black fleece on the outside part and it will absorb the moisture

[@loisgustafson81]

You can use freezer paper to make your patterns.

[@cstiemann3534]

Thank you!!! This hack worked perfectly for me!

[@kimberlychicago7608]

Yes, 5 extra large available in the States.

[@IdRatherBeHiking]

I've since picked up 4x shirts for $1.25 each at dollar tree which work amazing

[@East-mg1up]

Thanks moving into car been struggling and wasting money this is so simple. Added $1store sun screen to reflect sun in desert. Again thanks, saved lots$

[@IdRatherBeHiking]

Cheers friend

[@JP-tx9nh]

EXACTLY WHAT I NEED FOR MY GEN 3 CRV GREAT IDEA MAN!

[@itsdeanya]

A couple of things might help. Use real duck tape that is fabric and has flexibility, then go slow around curves. Instead of trying to do as much as you can at once, go slowly putting it down. Another tip is not to stretch cheap tape; give it lots of slack to expand in weather conditions. Adhesive tends to fail on cheap tape, if too much is asked of it, and stretch is one thing it's not created to do. Thanks for posting.

[@SN-rp3kk]

You are creative & smart. Excellent video. Going to give this a try just for privacy haha.

[@IdRatherBeHiking]

they are still holding up

[@ytubechannel997]

Thanks for the DIY projects. Want to do this someday.

[@cuddlesanddaisy]

Bet you could use the big shirts to make a cover for the window covers also.

[@jayceewedmak9524]

Don't you find the air flow is hampered by the double layer of shirt material? I made screens and they hamper air flow. Thanks for the video - hi from Southeastern Ontario

[@IdRatherBeHiking]

I do those shirt screens are a cheap easy way by reduce airflow I have an updated video with is a much better design.

[@TexCynRVLife]

I did this yesterday. Then saw your video afterwards. I have to wonder about condensation? I'll be making a trip to PA soon for a few months & weather up there creates rain & lots of humidity. Have you had any issues with condensation ruining the foam boards?

[@IdRatherBeHiking]

they get warped a little, they actually bend to the shape of the window a lot more in the sun. After 2 months i need to add a new layer of tape to make it fit tight again but it only took a few minutes.

[@calij586]

Glue black fleece on the outside board to soak up moisture

[@chardelraconner7324]

pressed against the glass from exterior motion detection ; rebounds pressure to not minimize shatter percentage

[@IdRatherBeHiking]

come again? I don't follow

[@chardelraconner7324]

using a carpet/floormat on concrete staircases should be aladdin aesthetic ; you read

[@01jeanph]

100 gold for you !!! So simple yet effective !!!!! Thanks !!

[@IdRatherBeHiking]

cheers friend

[@papasitoOC]

Does the black poster board help block heat? I’m curious bc I get that it can help block out light but bc I’ll be camping in my van with my dogs on our road trip I’m curious about heat block or if y’all find that it absorbs heat? Thank you

[@HilltopFilms]

Love the setup! Window curtains are a game changer

[@IAMPhoeniX888]

I might have to try this because I suck making them out of reflective

[@kaitlynmatheson1884]

Brilliant! I was pricing other options but they were closer to $80! Thank you!

[@arieswaters]

Good job Bob totally terrific

[@cindysmithlucinda6369]

Awesome!! Thanks for the simple inexpensive alternative!! 💙☺️

[@97warlock]

Im lookin g for an even simpler way. I wanna permanantl screen my 2 side windows as well as the big back glass. (remove them for winter) My car has way way too much windows & glass area so summer is like 140 inside

[@ABU-lz2sh]

How do you see through? It looks opaque Is it?

[@maryloudelossantos1624]

Thank you for sharing your video. Tips are valuable & helpful.

[@flyingcat2054]

Good tips! Luv the black tee shirt! Copy that. The panels, i have with the foil bubble wrap and i want different than flat panels. At least with one window to start, possibly the hatch window, soo huge, soo awkward to install things there.

[@richardsamaniego3789]

Nice I'm going to do. Thanks

[@karamiaropiha8349]

Great thinking good on you putting the time to work out a great solution I was thinking of magnets but this is so easy

[@IdRatherBeHiking]

I was working on a new version that uses this method with some small magnets as the cardboard gets a little warped and isnt as tight, something to think about. I was hoping to already have that video done for yall but I'm dealing with a catastrophe right now, see my most recent video,, so ya it'll be I'm not sure when but I'll be making part 2 of this at some point.

[@marissamullin9550]

What mattress do you use? I have a thin inflatable sleeping pad and I’m looking into a small foam mattress that will fit in the back of my car.

[@IdRatherBeHiking]

I have a full buildout video that shows my mattress. Its a set of 3 outdoor cushions with fabric sewn around them

[@Menelik.videos]

He keeps saying "jam it in there". I don't know why but it's making me laugh hard 😂 😂. Thanks for the good tips brother.

[@expressivepets1]

I have a CRV too. I tried sleeping in mine...i couldn't get in/out using the side doors. I want to camp for a few days...not living in mine. How do you get in and out of the car? My hatch doesn't have an inside handle.

[@IdRatherBeHiking]

Its a little tight to live in but I'm on a mission. I slide the driver seat all the way forward then climb in the back seat work for a while then climb into bed from the back passenger seat

[@sumonmiah1902]

You need to have a switch connected to the outside boot open switch.Im in the process of doing mine.

[@cinnamongmc5430]

@expressivepets1...The CRV doesn't have a hatch button on the key fob?

[@Upsidedownburnotinsideout]

What happens to the paper with condensation

[@IdRatherBeHiking]

it dries out and doesn't seem to matter, I replaced only 1 panel in 2 years

[@angelamurphy3331]

Thanks for sharing your tips for car camping blackout blinds. I'm watching from Dublin Ireland and want to try car camping as a test to see if I would go further and buy and convert a van in the near future. I notice you're left handed and that probably means you think outside the box. 💚💚🍀🍀😺😺💚💚

[@julieowens7095]

I'm having so much trouble tracing a template! Two hours and two tries already binned. What is the secret?

[@zeppelfahrt127]

Brilliant! Many thanks for posting.

[@kraxylover]

Wow you’re really smart and this is soo helpful!!

[@IdRatherBeHiking]

I'm so glad!

[@nottodaysatanblessedangelt4958]

but how do u keep the car from collecting moisture from breathing if all the windows are sealed ??

[@SuperKarineka]

Very cool! This is so creative, thanks for sharing! I am going to try this

[@NatalieeeRufff]

This will save me so much time and money, thanks!

[@docink6175]

I like the T-shirt idea, I guess if you stretch it enough it will allow some air flow

[@IdRatherBeHiking]

I found some 4xl black synthetic shirts in the states and they still blackout the window but let air in

[@traceycrawford9938]

Great information, thank you. If you just paint everything black, these look extremely stealthy behind the tinted windows.

[@awalktowardsglory]

How is it at night? If you have a light on inside can someone see it from the outside?

[@IdRatherBeHiking]

Not at all

[@kimberlywhatevervids3106]

So poster board can be used on front and back, not "construction paper"?

[@kimberlywhatevervids3106]

It looks like your stuff is cardboard. At Michaels right now and the poster board is definetly just big construction paper, and the cardboard trifold presentation boards that do come in black are waaay more money but it looks like thats what you used.

[@IdRatherBeHiking]

I use poster board from dollarama, $2 per board. They work well but avoid getting them wet.

[@kimberlywhatevervids3106]

@@IdRatherBeHiking Thank you so much, and for making this whole video. I got the 4 door windows done today and am doing the rear tomorrow (i bought a sun cover from walmart for the front). You definetly had the best idea!

[@IdRatherBeHiking]

@@kimberlywhatevervids3106 glad it helped

[@beccadanielsen3567]

Amazing and the tab is brilliant. Thanks

[@cheerio9119]

Love it!! Thanks for sharing 😊

[@NorwayHikesTrails]

Nice David. You have a wonderful weekend

[@IdRatherBeHiking]

You too!

[@cahzinarx904]

What about when you want air flow so it cools down while you sleep?

[@IdRatherBeHiking]

Need some screens, I have a video for that too: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qX7InmaamNiGaMk

[@Russellbeta]

Better to use transparent plastic film to draw your stensils, if it's thin enough it will stick to the glass because of static electricity. That way it better conforms to the shape, you don't need to fold or crumple up edges and you can see what's behind when you're making markings.

[@flyingcat2054]

@russellbeta where do you get transparent plastic film that's easy to work with here?

[@Russellbeta]

@@flyingcat2054 I don't know where "here" is but I just got it in a local hardware store. You can probably buy it online too.

[@bigchiponmyshoulder7573]

Well done mate. Good thinking

[@sm3296]

This is from a year ago, wondering how they’ve held up?

[@TheKarebear666]

Me watching this wishing I could build out my Nissan Senta 😥. Either way, I'm really enjoying this series

[@diywarren1776]

You maybe could. If you can live without a back seat take it out, and your legs could into the trunk

[@poorwhitetrashangel4744]

This is exactly what I was looking for. Thank you! I thought I'd make me some from card board and found this.

[@r0binIsntAmish1669]

Same. I’ve been living out of my car for about a month now & they finally have ripped. Pretty frustrating!

[@poorwhitetrashangel4744]

@@r0binIsntAmish1669 I'm 10 years, full time vehicle dweller. Started in pick up trucks. Then got camper shells and finally an RV that I've had remodeled as a tiny house on wheels. I just bought the van so we had something not so scarey on mountains and stuff. I already have everything I really need from living this way and backpacking the U.S. I've just always hung covers up at night in pick ups. I grabbed card board yesterday to make mine with.

[@silla-je9od]

What do you do for income?

[@poorwhitetrashangel4744]

Silla, I'm a traveling artist.

[@silla-je9od]

@@poorwhitetrashangel4744 Cool, thanks for sharing. I notice some people do online jobs when traveling, too. Just looking for ideas to configure my own journey. Thanks again.

[@wasabihill]

Did you get the foam board from dollar tree? I just saw some there and thought about it today!

[@IdRatherBeHiking]

ya