Screen Cover question.

[GWAYGWAY]

I have a set of Silver Screens, they were made for my van as a pattern so fit very well indeed, I also went back and got the panel to go on when you want to have some light coming in the screen during the day. They do warn against leaving them on too long when parked up as they can get water inside the cover into the insulation and it makes a mess packing them away or if they freeze very difficult. They seams do not leak normally but over time may well. I had internals ones on the Transit base van and they were alright but the condensation was a bit of a mess and I could foresee a possible rust problem with the water being held on the scuttle panel.

 

[Nesting Zombie]

Hi Gang,
I'm a Big fan for internally fitted screens.
I personally just find they are MUCH easier to Use, They can be Mounted & Squared away while Both Them & Me stay Safe n Dry. I've got the Option of Taking One or Two off Quickly if I Need or Want to See out in a Hurry if the need arises Plus I've got the Piece of mind that The Wind & /Or Unwanted inquisitive or Prying Eyes arnt Lifting a Corner too Have a peek of Me in my Bear Onesie & Claw Slippers !.
So yep, Internal ones for me. But You have to think about your Lifestyle while aboard, & Maybe even try a Mock up of Both types before taking the Plunge.
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I have to say, VERY little condensation !.

Just a Note to say they REALLY do a good job keeping The SUN/HEAT out, & The Warmth in.

 

[Caz]

I used to have internal screens on my Swift Sundance. They were very good at insulation and I didn't find there was enough condensation to be a problem. The only niggle was that sometimes it was a nightmare persuading the little suckers to stay attached to the glass. As well as being easy to put on without getting out of the van and being able to just remove part from inside if I wanted to look out, the main advantage was that being a short person I wouldn't have been able to reach to put external screens on (Fiat Ducato).

I do have external screens for the T4 and can just about manage to stretch enough to get them on, but I only use them if weather is cold. The curtains are so much easier the rest of the year. Plus the screens take up a fair bit of room and the little van is very short on storage space.

On the whole I prefer the internal screens.

 

[spigot]

External screens are far superior for insulation, one doesn't need a degree in quantum physics to work that out.

What I can't work out is the relevance of this discussion on a wild-camping forum. Opportunities to use externals when wilding must be few and far between.

 

[Obanboy666]

What I can't work out is the relevance of this discussion on a wild-camping forum. Opportunities to use externals when wilding must be few and far between.

I can see your point above, but personnelly I use campsites and I would imagine the majority of members are the same so it is relevant.

 

[spigot]

I can see your point above, but personnelly I use campsites and I would imagine the majority of members are the same so it is relevant.

If you are a campsite dweller, what are you doing on a wild camping forum?.

You would be better off using a forum like Outandaboutlive, allied to MMM magazine which is very campsite orientated.

 

[campervanannie]

Having used both, I have the opposite opinion. I found external screens hopeless. Too much hassle to bother with for a one night stop, dusty or wet when you take them off. If you are staying for several nights, neither of those matter as much, but they make the inside of the van so gloomy.

Yes, you do get a lot more condensation with internal screens. But that's no bad thing. That water is far better condensing on the inside of the windscreen where you can clean it up easily, rather than at the back of the wardrobe or inside the framework of the van. Think of the windscreen as a dehumidifier. If the condensation bothers you, Karcher window vacuum cleaners are wonderful for sucking it all away: I just use a chamois leather, though.

And if you are wildcamping, you really don't want external screens on the cab windows.

Or put old socks filled with cat litter along where the screen meets the dash.

 

[silverweed]

The other problem I found with external screens is that with my Hymer a class the screens slowly keep pulling the sliding side window open and I just can't seem to make that window secure.

 

[Kev]

I prefer externals because of the lack of condensation in the mornings and they keep the cab area much warmer, but I've found that when it rains hard I tend to get a few drips of water coming in where they wrap around the corners of the doors... Mine are Taylormade on a Mk6 Transit.... Not really a problem but I'd rather it didn't happen... :rolleyes2:

 

[Obanboy666]

If you are a campsite dweller, what are you doing on a wild camping forum?.

You would be better off using a forum like Outandaboutlive, allied to MMM magazine which is very campsite orientated.

Not that it's any of your business but I meant I use both, wild 2/3 days then a campsite or CL for a night to fill up and get rid of waste.
I would imagine most members use sites on occasions, perhaps admin could do a poll. I would be amazed if its not higher than 75% of members do the same as myself.

 

[silverweed]

Nope, never use camp sites of any sort. Aires abroad but not camp sites so really externals are not very practical

 

[spigot]

Can't say I've never been to a campsite because some of the meets take place at these venues and I went to a handful in Morocco earlier this year, but it was my first visit & the site fees were only about a fiver a night (inc EHU which wasn't needed).

But can't remember the last time I actually drove into a campsite in the UK of my own accord, it must have been when I was tenting.

I hate campsites, I want to wake up in the morning & throw my side door open onto some wonder of nature, not other vans, a hedge or a toilet block, or even worse, an emptying point.

Hence no need for external screens.

 

[Obanboy666]

Can't say I've never been to a campsite because some of the meets take place at these venues and I went to a handful in Morocco earlier this year, but it was my first visit & the site fees were only about a fiver a night (inc EHU which wasn't needed).

But can't remember the last time I actually drove into a campsite in the UK of my own accord, it must have been when I was tenting.

I hate campsites, I want to wake up in the morning & throw my side door open onto some wonder of nature, not other vans, a hedge or a toilet block, or even worse, an emptying point.

Hence no need for external screens.

I don't use large campsites for the same reasons you quote.
I'm presently parked up on a CL near Penrith, 600 yards from a minor road. Scenic location, toilet, toilet disposal which is 300 yards from me and ehu if I want it. £10.00 a night. I'm the only occupant on the site. So me, the dog and grandson @ £10.00 a night. Loads of space for the grandson to run riot with the dog whilst I read and watch the world go by.

 

[maingate]

Not that it's any of your business but I meant I use both, wild 2/3 days then a campsite or CL for a night to fill up and get rid of waste.
I would imagine most members use sites on occasions, perhaps admin could do a poll. I would be amazed if its not higher than 75% of members do the same as myself.

You are missing the best part of wilding by doing that.

You will never feel the tension and danger while you wait for it to get dark so that you can make it to the Public Toilet with your cassette without being seen.

Then there is that great feeling of success when you have used your 1 litre plastic Jug to fill your container from the Tap. We Veterans can accomplish that and leave no trace of a splashed or soaking floor. you would never know we had been there.

It's just like being in the SAS. :dance:

 

[Nesting Zombie]

You are missing the best part of wilding by doing that.

You will never feel the tension and danger while you wait for it to get dark so that you can make it to the Public Toilet with your cassette without being seen.

Then there is that great feeling of success when you have used your 1 litre plastic Jug to fill your container from the Tap. We Veterans can accomplish that and leave no trace of a splashed or soaking floor. you would never know we had been there.

It's just like being in the SAS. :dance:

I'm smiling,,,Cos it's True !. Lol lol

 

[Obanboy666]

Hi OB.

I am currently looking around for some exterior screens as well.

I have the same base vehicle as yourself, so please let me know if you find a decent supplier. I will of course advise you if I find one myself.

Checked EBay etc, etc for used covers and nothing available.
Looked at Taylormade @ £144.00 + £10.00 carriage and Silver screens @ £179.00 including carriage.
Bit the bullet and ordered Silver Screens, arriving Tuesday. I will post when I have fitted / used them.

 

[oldish hippy]

you can get them so the center fold down to give you daylight during the day and if you so wish you can fit them internally just turn them round

 

[Deleted member 9849]

Checked EBay etc, etc for used covers and nothing available.
Looked at Taylormade @ £144.00 + £10.00 carriage and Silver screens @ £179.00 including carriage.
Bit the bullet and ordered Silver Screens, arriving Tuesday. I will post when I have fitted / used them.

I have had both for my A class and found the Taylormade to be better quality and fit so hope you have made the right decision.

 

[saxonborg]

Just recently used my new external screens on my m/h ,really impressed, easier to fit , it feels cosier inside as you remove the cold spot next to the windscreen and doors. No condensation therefore once you remove them in the morning you are ready to drive away. I have also the internal screens which are useful to keep the sun out of your m/h when you are not using it.

 

[mistericeman]

I have had both for my A class and found the Taylormade to be better quality and fit so hope you have made the right decision.

Just considering buying a set of the Taylor ones for our Mk6 Transit to keep us toasty in the coming autumnal/winter months ....