Solving My Biggest Vanlife Problem | This Has Been Bothering Me Since The Beginning 

This looks like a feasible solution. It's not your van that is causing the problem. Honestly. It's not you either. It's the rod. Try not to take it personally. Do please let us know how it goes. Keep in mind that your van goes through constant earthquake situations when driving, etc. You'll get there...I KNOW you will. Keep the faith, keep smiling because you're Bunny and bunnies are fabulous!

For curtains I started with a 6' length of wooden dowel rod. Shortened it till it just fit between the top ends of the front doors. Then I placed disc shaped super magnets which have hooks threaded into them at these points of the doors. Then screwed brass (brass doesn't scratch glass like steel does) screws into the ends of the dowel rod. The length of the dowel may need to be adjusted throughout this process for a precision fit. The brass screws lay over the hooks in the super magnets. This arrangement is easy to remove and attach. For curtain material I use black sheer material from Walmart which I drape over the dowel rod so it hangs just behind the seats. So the material is doubled over blocking light well. It hangs straight with no tell tale wrinkles. The seats are visible enhancing the stealth factor. I remove the curtains for driving. Another material to consider is copper tubing. It's cheap, lightweight, won't warp and doesn't scratch glass.

My Ford Transit Connect has hooks on each side of the van. I bought a travel rod that attaches to each hook. It has worked for 3 years in 2 vans.

I have an idea. You know how at 12:05 you flop the tail of the curtain over your seat? What if you take the curtains off the rod, clip the curtains back to the bulkhead, then put the empty rod above the seatbelts like in this video, and flop the curtains over the rod? this will cover from the ceiling to the rod, and the rod will pull the curtains away from your doorway. And if you want to spend another $10 get some of those curtain rings with clips and put those on the rod, then you can clip them lower on the curtain fabric to pull them close to the rod and away from your doorway.

what about a curved shower rod. you can put the curved side up towards the ceiling and have more coverage. Or fabricate a rod with magnets - kind of U shaped to go towards the front seats, gaining your living space back.

If you are going to use the rod, use the extra sticky pads that keep things from sliding around. Put that between the wall and the rod ends.

I thought outside the box....purchased heavy duty strapping that is used in attics to support pipes, HVAC tubes, etc. from the rafters. I bends very easy. I carefully bent it to the shape of the roof area where I wanted to hang the curtain. Position it against a spot where you can tuck it under those round plastic screw covers on the ceiling. I double-bent both ends so they would tuck under the edges against the side walls. I also made a cloth tube to cover the strap so it would match the ceiling color. Now here is the key....when making the curtains pin them up so you can cut them to hang straight down and along both sides. I used bias tape to create a hem along the top edge wide enough to slide "earth magnets" into. Then position the earth magnets along the top edge to best seal light from entering. I sewed the earth magnets into place with a couple hand stitches. I made two curtains with enough overlap to seal the opening when closed. I put a strap at both sides to tie the curtain back. You can fold the curtains back and the magnets stick to each other, or you can them down completely. You can use darning pens to slip along the edge of the fabric covered strap...poke pins at an angle into the ceiling if needed to help secure the strap in case your curtains are too heavy for the strap. I used blackout curtains from Walmart and got the strap at Home Depot. Magnets online on Amazon. I could send you a photo but I am still in India until early March.

You can use hemming tape to shorten the curtains. You iron it and it adheres to the fabric. No sew method 👍

They make a really good double-sided tape that you can find in the fabric department at Walmart that you can hem things with and you can wash and dry it and it won’t hurt it for hemming your curtain maybe

Bunny, rod is good, also Heavy duty magnets for sides and magnets for a valance hanging down from your ceiling. Saw another blogger do it👍👍👍👍👍

An adjustable shower curtain rod works really well, with either long or short "blackout" curtains (which also come with "insulating" backing good for both cold and hot temperatures.) Another option is a pair of magnetized towel bars. I have both of these, and it's probably my favorite feature of my van build.

Strong magnets with hook, and the curtain wire instead of tension rod going across behind the front seats in my van Toni

I 2nd the idea of a curtain behind front seats helps interior go into dark mode so passers by don’t see into back. I have visited friends several times who live in downtown Eugene, OR (both a college town & urban center) where cars often get broken into. This is a place where the “leave nothing visible lying around on your on front seat” rules apply. Having the curtain makes it look like an empty cargo minivan to those walking by both day or night. Safe travels… 🚐

There is a double-sided fabric tape that would work good for the curtains instead of the safety pins 😜 To hold the pole in place maybe slide binder clips behind the plastic above the seat belt clip (slide it between the plastic and roof cloth liner) so you can zip tie the rod in place 👍

I use a shower curtain rod and black out curtains. I add a small piece of the drawer liner material to keep it in place on the edge when I screw the tension tighter to ensure good grip.. Go to Ross and spend a little more on a thicker heavier rod that they use for regular heavy duty black out curtains that is really a glorified shower curtian rod , and flip the blackout curtain upside down using the him as the hanging part and then you can cut off the bottom of the curtain and him it and all you’ll have to do is make two straight showings one on the top to adjust the size of the pocket for the original curtain rod just do a straight scene and then just him the bottom based on the length you want your curtain I cut them in half and hem those parts And cut it and make sure I have two curtains so that it’s already hemmed and put those on there are used to actual black out curtains that way I have an opening in the middle if I want to look in the back it’s not one piece I’ve never had any trouble and I hope you don’t have any trouble with it falling had any trouble with it falling.❤ I hope this gives you some idea bunny don’t get stressed over the small stuff stay positive friend hope to see you soon hugs and love❤

Besides the wiring and electrical, some vehicles are equipped with side impact airbags above the windows or in the seat. It would be a good idea to double check the owner's manual. This is REALLY IMPORTANT to know if you travel with pets in the front seat, or even on the dash. The force of the airbag could be fatal to an unrestrained animal. There's usually an option to turn off this feature, and you can usually find it in the manual with instructions for child's car seats.

You could try putting one or two of those adhesive pads underneath the rod ends, not to secure them but just to keep them from wiggling down and falling.

I used a tension rod in my van. Also 2 curtains so they could be slid open to use sides. Good luck.

Your tension rod has flat end caps? If so maybe place some two sided tape on the ends and tighten the rod in place…tape should hold up especially when the ends are being pushed into those side panels which I assume is hard plastic? The top half you could magnet a curtain down to the rod maybe figure a way to sew the two together so they act as one panel with the rod being in the middle?

You could put a small command strip hook under the rod end to keep it from falling down

Okay I know everyone is giving you suggestions and I'm sorry I feel compelled to do the same hoping it will help. At 2:59 I can see the lip of the metal rib just under bulkhead piece where you have the clips and your fan attached. What I'm thinking is make your own custom curtain rod hanger using a couple lengths of pipe strapping, the stuff you used to anchor your shelving unit. Bend a piece of strapping at a 90 degree angle then bend a loop on one end big enough for the curtain rod. You can slip the straight end of the angle between the roof and rib. Cover it in gorilla tape if you're worried about scratches or accidentally cutting wires.

😅 my mother taught me a trick with tension rods because I used to do it the same way I just watched you do it. On twist the rod till it reaches the edges, then pull it out and twist it two more times then it has a spring inside you have to make it light 1 inch larger or a half inch larger than the space you’re jamming it into. So make the rubber foot go past your molding on the car and then you got a squeeze it in or just use your fist and pound on get one end in where you want it and then get the end of that extends pasture molding just enough to be too big and then pounded in, but you might wanna wrap a towel around your hand because I got a bruise from hitting the rod with my bare hand😂 that will make it extremely nice and tight and you may need to loosen it a little bit and twist it in just so it’s not too tight that it keeps popping out too. That’s the trick make it bigger and jam it in.👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻😁

I was going to suggest hook magnets & a cheap curtain rod until I noticed how far back your bulk head goes. Yep, Texas heat makes sticky things fall off! I'm having trouble with trying to keep a power strip in place because the entire interior of my van is plastic! Even around all of my cab windows. So yes, sticky back items don't work well. I have pretty grey sheers set up. No one can see in. If I want, I also keep black out curtains, but rarely use them. I like the sheers for camping because I can be in the van looking out, but no one can see me during daylight hours. Good luck!

I understand. ….. believe me. I ended up with a bungee cord across but of course it sags. I couldn’t find a rod what worked 😢

I had the same problem with a tension rod I bought. I had to use vicegrips to pull it apart.

It occurred to me today, that you could actually put neodymium magnets on the outside on the roof instead of the inside. With enough of them, you could probably hold most anything, and could use a lighter curtain all the way from the metal part of the roof.

That makes sense. However the current version also doesn’t go to the top. Just offering a suggestion that worked in our shuttle bus. The Ilea cable doesn’t stretch. Again, a magnet in the middle would hold it up tighter. Might be worth a stop at an ikea during your travels. Hopefully you find the solution you are looking for! (All words offered with a smile. I LOVE both your channels!)

I don't know if you can stick a sticky mount up there, but that's what I did to hold my curtain rod. It's round with a notch for the rod and it goes through at the top. Holds it really well because it's made for it. Good luck on your trip. 😊

I have found tape used under things to keep them from moving works some places very well. Also, double sided carpet tape is very strong where things slide. Maybe cut it to fit the ends of the curtain rod and use the tension to hold it in place while the double sided tape sets to the ends of rod and where it contacts the wall. ope you find the thing that is perfect for you.

I wonder if you could get 2 rubber pads for the end of the rod might help keep it in place

The gap is perfect for those day when you want to put screens or rain gutters on the windows and turn the fan on to get some airflow but still need privacy. The rain gutter hack that I've seen on other channels is brilliant. Have your dad tighten up the resistance on the rod for you. There is an item I use often that you can buy to iron on a seem. It's just a strip of webbing you place inside the seem then press with an iron. It works great. It's also just semi permanent meaning it's stays firm until you need to pull it apart.

I used epoxy to secure rod cups and it holds the rod well and makes the rod easy to remove but only when desired.

It will come together for you young lady.

You could look into sticky-backed cork/felt pieces to adhere to the walls to help it stay put. You can find rounds, or just cut a flat piece into the correct circle size.

Looks Good!

Use some alien tape on the rubber stoppers once tight.Helps to keep it from sliding and easy to remove .

Here's what I thought: fasten it to the clips where they are behind the front seats. Run the tension rod where you currently have it and drape the curtains across it so that it gives you back your space. That way you get the best of both worlds: coverage from the ceiling down, and space returned for your use. Another thing is, although, if you do it this way and it works, the spring rod won't be holding any weight, you _can_ attach velcro to the ends of the rod and to corresponding spots on the car. Not sure about the rod as the ends seem a bit round, but you can get a flat-ended rod....

Here's something else, that you might find useful (or can suggest for someone else) My sister laughed at this when I showed her, btw. You buy a feather boa and attach small magnets to it spaced along the length.. This is useful for those last cracks of light, where a curtain might not cover without a precise fit. Another advantage is they let air through still. If one is not thick enough for you, just add another one behind it. You can alway clip it to things also, but as you have a lot metal surface, so magnets might be more useful. I got a black one, but of course, they come in all colors.

Oh, Bunny!! I don't sew anymore😄! Crazy glue is great for hemming anything.

People are doing some amazing things with that Alien Tape.

How about your magnet hooks and paracord or a wire curtain cable from IKEA??I use the paracord in my shuttle bus over the windows. The cotton curtains we made work great!!

I like that idea! I hope it stays put 😝

My only concern with where you placed your front curtain is. It's between airbags you will get a hurt if those get deployed

Have you tried the clothes hanging bar system they sell at automotive stores? There are a couple of different pieces to hang in a variety of ways in a vehicle. I think they're designed to work with the hold handles over the doors but there may be a different option to attached it and be sturdier for you.

Understanding your quandary! Is it possible to use two of your super magnetic hooks up close to the edge of your headliner the remove the end caps of the rod and maybe have dad drill holes into the pole or get a pole with holes in it? You trust your magnets....maybe this would work. 🤷‍♀️

I would use heavy duty magnets with hooks and get or make a curtain that has loops.

Just a question and a thought...? Are you using *strong spring* loaded tension rods? If not, might I suggest switching? When I use a spring loaded tension rod, I twist it out until it is "too long for the opening", as long as possible. Then, I quite literally cram/pound it into position. This truly utilizes the outward force of the spring inside the rod to hold it in place. What I noticed about how you put up the rod is that you placed it where you wanted it and then twisted it to expand it. Doing it that way, you can only get it as tight as your hands can twist it and that might not really be getting the full force of the spring inside the rod. (I use them "everywhere" at home -- in addition to the shower, I use them in place of closet doors & inside cellar stairway doors, etc. and they stay up under constant use.)

This may or may not help you, but I have a mini van and also did not want to drill holes or otherwise permanently mount my curtain rod. I bought a clothes hanging rod meant to hang on the coat hooks in the back seat of cars. It is expandable just like your curtain rod, but instead of the rubber caps on the ends, it has a bracket with an opening to hang on the coat hook in the car. I bought something like S hooks at the hardware store and hooked them over the top of the trim pieces on the B pillars behind my front doors. Then I hung the rod on the hooks. No drill, no glue, easy to put up and take down.

UrbanRed Self Adhesive Curtain I used with a black out curtain

What about clips/hooks that people use on their cubicle walls and a rod with loops on the ends?

I sent you a pic of my intial rough setup in my NV. Looks better now. This works fine. It's not completely in position. Nothing permanent about it. That center piece goes into the center console. All pieces are stock. Just cut the middle bar for length.

I wonder if you could stick some bendable S hooks into the gap where the pink clips are and then hang the rod on the S part hanging down.

🤞🤞🤞 crossing my fingers

Nice van, Bunny

Hello Bunny 👋 Heres A Thought, Try Alien Tape and See If It Will Help Your Curtain Rod From Slipping. It Won't Hurt. I Pray It Works!!! Safe Travels 👋🙏

Are you able to tint your passenger windows? 🤔 You could tint the windows, then use one of those umbrella like shade screens for the windsheild.

stand up room divider, cut short, just an idea

What if you have good magnets that are sewn into the curtains would that work

Can you not use that easily removable silicone and secure it where you want the bars? Or maybe that whale bone they sell at Jo Anns sewing center or craft store? Then attach curtain the rod with a track?

I saw a you tuber called 'a very small camper van' create a cool curtain . it was over 5 years ago. But it might fit your needs but it looks a little complicated. But maybe you and your dad could modify it to fit your van.- it involves a metal strap and magnets on the curtain. she only had one 'button' at the top of her van so she used the side walls to support the 'rod'. but you have 3 buttons so maybe you would not need to have it connected to the 'walls'. the video is called 'Fitted front curtain for a minivan camper van: part 1". Best of luck. (I don't know if I'm allowed to reference other videos so if i am not, can you please remove this comment?)

Looks good! Do you have airbags in your upright panels? I do in my passenger van so I have been apprehensive about putting anything on them except command hooks.

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Crossing fingers and toes 😂

Magnetic curtains

Decisions Decisions 😊

How about magnets sewn into the curtain?

Why not use commnd hooks and a clothes line to put up curtains

Just a thought. Would Alien tape be of use with attaching the rod?

I live in a Ford E150 so I'm not sure how to help you😮

I met other fellow nomadic Van lifers and have been sharing your channel. Hope this helps your channel if they subscribe.