How to make secure ventilation screens for camping in your car or van

Camping in your car? Need ventilation in your car without bugs or intruders getting in? Here is a project that is simple to do and works great.

[@abyssalsoul6216]

Home Depot also carries a plastic gutter guard that already has the screen attached. It may not be as sturdy as the metal one but is lighter and easier to cut and so easier to work with. It is white in color.

[@alutious]

Yeah I was a bit confused why he is putting a screen on top of mesh. Why not get a smaller mesh, like a plastic Soffet. I might just go velcro or magnet combo. Maybe just do the entire window independent of the glass.

[@susananderson9619]

I like the idea of metal grate gutter guard, at least someone can't simply slice it with a knife ,reach in and unlock the door

[@scottrosenberger8696]

Great solution! Might I suggest that you slide the screen material down in before you crimp down the first curved piece at the beginning? That will help hold it in place when you trim and tape the top, and you can use a single strip of tape on the bottom when you snug that up. I'll be using your general design for my van for sure. Thanks for sharing!

[@RinconSteve]

Scott you are right, hind sight is 20/20...

[@offairhead]

@Scott Rosenberger I came here to say the same thing about crimping the screen into the fold.

[@cindybetts8341]

I'm thinking of trying out living in my SUV. I've seen other's videos on screens for the windows. Yours is THE BEST!!! THANK YOU!!! The only part I feel you left out was showing exactly what you did as far as the caulking. (It may be because I'm watching on a 10" tablet.) But I really wish I could see how it was done! Again, I thank you! 😊💕

[@RinconSteve]

I hope it works out for you. The caulking was just a latex caulk, I got black because it matched the black gutter guard and screen.

[@Lizzy049]

maybe the FRALEX turbo fan from aircompany 20 would be something for you! we are totally satisfied with it. it is also burglar-proof

[@cindybetts8341]

@@Lizzy049 Thank you! I may have to check that out!!! 💕

[@2ndfloorbalcony]

Thanks, Great idea, instead of caulking the bottom, when you crimp the end, crimp the screen into the bottom edge.

[@Trang-xq9fn]

Thank you for sharing. This video is exactly what I was looking for.

[@jasonbridges45]

Get you a small computer fan with USB plug. And a portable rechargeable phone charger. For the other window it will pull air threw way better.

[@jasonbridges45]

I use a diy 18650 battery kit charger. That way you can add as many batteries as you want. One 18650 battery last about 3 hours. I use a 6 battery pack. Last all night long.

[@petuniaromania6294]

I noticed that the gutter guards have a screen on them now, hopefully I will be making mine soon. Thanks for the video.

[@thriftyshirtpicker6449]

SUPERB VIDEO SIR! Thank you very much for doing this in great detail. I certainly value your time and hard work. I wish I could email you a beer. Thank you again.

[@vernfailee8383]

I concur, great video. I watched several DIY Bug Screens, your recommendation to use gutter screen is better and simpler. For your suggestion I give you an A+. Thank you.

[@themetalmaiden7462]

Awesome video. I've been working on ideas for doing something similar for my F150 Crewcab. Of course I was over-thinking it and your KISS idea was just what I needed.

[@bigsilverbear4187]

TAHNK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for making this video. AWESOME JOB DUDE! You rocked it!

[@zsolovyev]

Very nice idea! Thank you :)

[@sylvainmassicotte5877]

Way to go; soooo many making the mistake to build the bed on top of a racking,i have done it the same put a inflatable matress on the floor,and build a platform,to put suite case and i got a roof box ,that it. Thank’s i will build the mosqito screen as you show us,wow so easy done

[@RinconSteve]

I've done it both ways, and you are right, mattress on bottom is better

[@davidbailey4533]

Gutter guard what a great idea.

[@jeanjones6091]

Made these they are awesome! Thanks to your video.

[@RinconSteve]

I'm glad it was helpful!

[@syedjavedahmad9719]

Very neatly done, thanks for the tutorial excellent 👍👌👍.

[@mariad4183]

I like that it's metal so no one can quietly come and cut it (like the soft screen) Nicely done! Excellent tutorial! Thank you for sharing honey! xoxo

[@RinconSteve]

Glad you liked it!

[@vanished3306]

Awesome, I’m about to make screens for my Sienna following your design! I’m going to put foam weatherstripping in the channel of the gutter guard before pinching it to help protect the glass and maybe give it a better seal. I’ll have to put on my engineering cap to try to come up with something for the “tail” to accommodate the window shape. Wish me luck!

[@RinconSteve]

Nice! Let me know how it works out

[@marsannegolsby4113]

I just bought a beautiful 2015 Sienna last week and am going to make no-build modifications, including these screens. What kind of weatherstripping did you end up using?

[@lisabailon1010]

Awesome solution.

[@YellowScubadiver]

Great Idea, I'll do exactly the same!

[@user-vp3wp8bp7m]

great video I to just did this to my 2000 ford explorer, like the metal guard the best hard to push in and hard to be cut with a knife mine fits in the window channel and squeezed the open end to fit snug atop the window didn't like the wide width so cut mine 2" wide less noticeable so when the window is rolled up it snugs up really tight and sturdy although the plastic is used in some of these videos I felt they were less secure and decided to use the metal one and man I'm glad I went with my instinct on this one🤔

[@rogerpedrosa1854]

awesome man

[@andrewcalderon6787]

Great video , i have 2000 honda civic and think i can pull it off if i merge both windows with that fancy gorilla tape you mentioned 🕺🏽

[@jcastprod]

I tried the gorilla tape on my accord and my mini schnauzer didn’t like it. So my wife told me either the tape goes or I go. So I got rid of the tape and don’t know if worked it or not. Hope your experience goes better.

[@Lisarata]

I made some of these for mine a couple of years ago. They work really well, and the only thing I wished could have been better is what about rain. We got some rain in the night, and we had to get up and take it all apart and sleep in a rain forest.

[@RinconSteve]

Sorry to hear about the rain issues, I guess now we know they don't pass the water resistant test.

[@Lisarata]

@@RinconSteve I'm sorry--didn't mean anything personal. I just meant to talk about what a learning experience it is, fitting things out. Yours look really good, and I didn't mean to criticize them--just meant to talk about things in general.

[@RinconSteve]

@@Lisarata it's all good, good for all to be aware of...

[@saintbyron5150]

Nice job! 👍

[@RinconSteve]

Thanks for watching!

[@therrienmichael08]

I have a Toyota Sienna also and trying to find recommendations for my drive to Florida sleeping in the car plus a couple extra days once I'm there.

[@rosemarie20]

When I make it, I'm not going to flatten the bottom edge of the gutter guard until after I put the screen on so the bottom edge of the screen slides into that fold easier; then I'll flatten it with the screen in it. (That way, I won't have to force the screen into it because it was sealed before working with the screen.)

[@jcastprod]

Safety first!

[@ili626]

If you sleep below that board and the board has luggage on it, your trapping your body heat in that small space - especially with two people. It would be much cooler if you slept on top on the board and stored luggage beneath

[@RinconSteve]

The platform is only above the lower part of the sleeping area. So basically above your legs. When I first built it I set it up to sleep on the top (I had lots of stuff to store). It was hotter because we were so close to the ceiling. I feel that having the platform above us was the best for a cooler temperature.

[@ili626]

Rincon Steve - Ah, didn’t think it could work out like that. Maybe due to heat rising. Tricky

[@lindasue8719]

@@RinconSteve interesting! I don't know if I've seen anyone do that! I've been thinking of switching from my SUV to a minivan to allow for more storage (mainly under the bed), but your idea would offer a good option to keep my Dodge Journey which I absolutely love!

[@1bike10]

Very clever

[@GenaralZod]

Do mosquitoes get through that screen? I'm concerned the gaps are too big to keep smaller bugs out.

[@RinconSteve]

I added regular window screen to the gutter guard...Which is designed to keep mosquitos out.

[@Lizzy049]

maybe the FRALEX turbo fan from aircompany 20 would be something for you! we are totally satisfied with it. it is also burglar-proof

[@RinconSteve]

I'll look into it

[@monnaprovost7294]

Thank you for making this video which will help me fashion these for my van. I subscribed in the hopes that u can show/tell me/us how you made the platform in your Sienna. Specifically what thickness of plywood, what grade (1 or both sides finished), what holds it up & how long it is as you do sleep under it. I’m a 70 yo female with little to no building experience. I have no tools yet so I would have Lowe’s or HD make the cuts. If u use 2x4, I do have a handsaw. Tell me this. If I were to buy 1-3 tools to use on the road during my 3-6 month tour of the states next year, what would you suggest? I was thinking of starting to collect Ryobi tools to use the same battery & I heard they have an excellent fan that uses that battery. I’m sure I’ll be changing things around as I go or even meet up with a van building group or something like it. I plan to get the 1000w Jackery solar generator to power things in the van so if Ryobi isn’t a recommendation, I would have power for regular electrical needs. Thanks & good travels to you. Mo in NJ

[@RinconSteve]

Mona, I was only interested in function, so I used 3/4" CDX (one of the cheaper grade 3/4") and yes I finished both sides. The first time we used it we slept on top (we had lots of things with us.) The second time, I cut it down to half the length and used it in the back and we slept under it. It was held up with wood legs. I also ran a 2x4 across the back cup holders as support too.

[@RinconSteve]

Yes Ryobi is a good option for you and at a good price. I don't have the platform set up any more so I can't do any videos on it. But there are others who have done a similar setup. Google "sienna camper"

[@robert50173]

If you are minimizing, get hand tools. Much slower, but it is not like you will need to use them a lot and you never have to worry about the hassles of power...

[@angelaholsapple8830]

I love your question!

[@sahelamiri2191]

Very cool video ! A sub from here 🖐

[@RinconSteve]

Thanks Sahel, I post lots of home renovation stuff, hopefully you enjoy that too.

[@sahelamiri2191]

Rincon Steve yeah sure

[@MrScruffybird]

Excellent

[@RinconSteve]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@chrisz.9974]

I wonder if there’s a better way than the duct tape on the edges. I’m thinking maybe a thin pinch molding. Not sure how secures it would be with daily removal though.

[@gracecallowayable]

Awesome!!!👠🚌👠

[@lutzweb]

cool! does it seal from rain?

[@RinconSteve]

no, unfortunately...

[@wanderingwithearthnonna9295]

Hi Steve, I used your idea for my minivan camper to add screens to my Honda Odyssey camper. They were a little hard to make but I managed it very well. I’m going to try and make some videos to post and when I show the screens I made, can I give you a shout out for showing me how? I’m not posting the process of making them as it’s your idea, but would like to show how the work. Thanks, Donna

[@RinconSteve]

Yes please! I'm glad it worked out for you.

[@peggiebalcom8194]

You might want to try gaffer's tape. Much better than duct tape.

[@jojosjoyfuljourney]

Will this work for my true thousand 19 Toyota sienna? It has a big curve on the right side

[@reayou]

I'm not sure. Mine has a curve too. I used duct tape on the screen to fill in the curve. It makes the screen look like it has a tail when you take it out. For this to work most of the the window needs to be straight.

[@saltpepper1894]

why not use plastic screen material with magnets to hold em over windows?

[@RinconSteve]

Yes that works...

[@sandrabeck8788]

Some gutter guards come with screen already on them

[@djkeen4353]

How much would it b for u to make me one

[@RinconSteve]

What kind of vehicle do you want to put it on? Where would I need to send it? These are all factors in how much I would charge to make one

[@kddayth]

I’m confused. What is the purpose of the caulk?

[@RinconSteve]

Just to hold the screen in place at the bottom. Some have commented that an alternative is to crimp it into the channel instead.

[@blakemead3946]

3:05

[@larrywillard844]

how Rainproof is this?

[@RinconSteve]

Not really rain proof. It only keeps bugs and people out.

[@dainarosen8903]

I'm not handy. It is difficult for me to see or understand clearly what you have done in each step from the camera angle that is shown. Your arm is in the way a lot of the time

[@RinconSteve]

Hi Daina, I'm sorry about my camera placement. I was having a hard time getting it to stay in place when filming...Was there something you had a question about?

[@gretafortenberry5285]

Next time you might want to put the camera in front of you. It was hard to see what you were doing from the side and your arm was in the way.

[@RinconSteve]

you are right. I had trouble filming it