You can also buy a similar bug screen/heat deflector/privacy/weather resistant tarp from harbor freight that already has the edging on it. Just add your snaps (or Velcro) and your set. It’s a good weight that still allows fresh air/breeze. Works great! Currently only 25.00 for a 8’x10’ tarp love mine. Got a second one for a side awning.
Hey the solar screen at Home Depot changed from purple label to orange label. Purple is now pet resistant screen. Just FYI. I'm making these this weekend!
Thanks for the heads up. We should have referred to the name and not the color. Share pics of your project with us and other vans lovers at facebook.com/groups/backroadsvanner/
Thanks for checking out our videos, we appreciate you watching and commenting! Please SUBSCRIBE to our channel. Also, join our NEW Facebook "GROUP" where YOU can share your photos and stories at: facebook.com/groups/backroadsvanner Backroads Vanner links and merchandise available at our web site at: www.backroadsvanner.com
I know this video was made 2 years ago.. but have you figured out that with rare earth magnets (the tiny metal looking ones) you can sew them into the folded webbing perimeter... and that way you can put it on and don't have to drill holes into your doors or align the screens.. you can just "put it up".
I personally don't think we need to go so far as ''rare earth metals''.. a common magnet IS the way to go, you're right. The whole van is steel.. this is an awesome idea but who would use anything other than strong magnets nowadays?
Magnets didn’t work well for my suburban build. The wt. of the bug netting was too heavy. The snaps or Velcro are the best options. W/ Velcro hot sunny climate can melt the glue so I reinforced it with bonding glue used on car mouldings. I like the Velcro on the front windows because I can actually remove the screen w/o opening the door.
@@aprylspage5852 Were you using rare earth magnets as the OP suggested? I have noticed a HUGE difference between different sorts of magnets. I got some from Walmart that comes in a continuous ribbon - it wouldn't even stick to itself! Rare earth's are so powerful, I would think the bigger concern would be hurting oneself or breaking the magnets when they collide
@@MarcillaSmith , let me ask you a question. I need to keep a young cat inside the vehicle when the doors and windows are open. Would the magnets bond tightly enough to keep her from being able to escape ?
I had been struggling with a way to screen off the back flip out windows of my van. I had never thought about making a giant screen for the whole opening. Awesome idea. Thanks for the inspiration!
+Bill and Karen Awesome! Not sure if you saw this already but here's a link on our web site with info and links to the materials: www.backroadsvanner.com/all-posts/vans/our-van/video-diy-custom-bug-screens-for-your-van/ Thanks for watching!
i liked the video and your idea so much i did mine the same. very durable. my only change on the back door was to sew a zipper vertically on both sides, maybe 5" in from the side snaps. That way i can always leave it snapped. when i want to get in i just unzip each side and roll it up. very handy
So glad I found your channel! I'm approaching retirement in a couple years and am starting to educate myself on how to turn a cargo van into living quarters. Being a single woman with zero carpentry skills I thought I should start now! So appreciate your willingness to share your knowledge!
Great tutorial, I have used those snaps for curtains to separate the cab from the living area on my van, they beat velcro hands down for jobs like this, much tidier.
Chris Cooling I tried gorilla tape. It worked for a couple of months. Then the tape started getting soft and sticking to other stuff and ended up being as mess. I wish it had workd.
no magnets don't work on the front door at all as they fall off after opening and closing the door. I ended up making a sock to slide over the window and close the door on. Then I use a magnet to hold it down around the bottom if the mirror. the only problem is the screen is already getting holes in it around the door because it is stretchy and weak. I did use hot glue to sew it as I have no sewing machine and the gluing send to be working for now. I am definitely heading to your screening materiel and snaps. the Velcro doesn't like to stick to the screen.
I wish I had seen this earlier...I made one for my passenger side window..with velcro..it definitely works, though I like yours better. Then I got Skeeter Beaters as a gift..simple , I could have made them myself , but was grateful. I have a Nissan NV high top..I would like to do the back like yours..through I don't know how easy it would be for me... Thank you, great and helpful video.
+kathleen chapman You can do it, Kathleen! Just break it down one step at a time. Share your photos with us when you get it done .. share at facebook.com/backroadsvanner/ Good luck and THANKS for watching!
+Paul Hunter Thanks Paul, glad you found that video. We have more in-depth videos coming on other things touched on in the "Cargo Van To Camper Van" video (ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-OigUyvSOV0Y.html)
Awesome video. .. I was going to make some window socks which is basically a screen sock that fit over your windows no velcro or snaps needed but I like your concept alot better, thanks so much for sharing.
+Panda Monium Oh, wow, I can picture that - great idea for the front doors. Glad you got some useful ideas from our video for your van. Please keep watching - we have lots more coming! Thanks for your comment!
Your videos are so informational, and I love how you deliver the details. Thanks for taking the time to do these, I am sure I will enjoy seeing more as it unfolds. Enjoy and have Fun. :)
I love rain guards in conjunction with screens. Can have my windows down a few inches with no issues with folks seeing in or rain getting in. These are great. Never thought about doing snaps. The finish is nice. Most folks use magnets and don't finish the ends and it is sloppy. Fine, it works, but I like this. Seems Velcro is less work, but this is nice. Thanks
+AL Genaro I found the snaps to be easier and stronger. When I use velcro and try to remove the screens, it can pull the velcro off of the frame. Thanks for your comments and for watching!
Works for the van... and the sailboat ports. Mike, how about the stereo and speakers? Our van right now is a raw, vacant shell. I'm hoping you spoon feed me the segments I need to get rolling for next summer !
+Frank Parsons LOL, I've got a big spoon so get ready... lots more in the pipeline. So stay tuned and you'll be ready to roll by summer! Thanks for watching!
2:03 - pleaes someone tell me what this is... what is it made from? I'm from europe, going to "the store and get a purple one" won't work, haha. Does anybody know? Amazon link? Thank you so much to whoever can help! :)
OMG dude your the best we have just brought our first ever Van a 2005 GMC van that was converted to a disable mini bus so its got a little extra head room ... but out of all the vids we have watched to get ideas your are 100 % the best keep up the good work we love you and once we start our van we will send you pics ..... I just love the bug screen whooo how can not wait to get going
Your videos are life changing to me. Currently I am raising money for a camper and vehicle to pull it with to provide FREE classes for people needing a Service Dog (veterans, disabled, etc). The cost of getting a vehicle AND a camper just kept growing. After watching your video I think I could save several thousand dollars just getting a large van and modifying it instead of my original plan. Thank you so much for posting this!
I'm glad I found your site. I just purchased a 2004 Ford Sport Van Conversion and was looking for ideas for screen that would go over the side door opening and the back. I'm almost done with the inside build and so the screening will go in soon. I will give this a try. It looks promising and I believe I could do this. For the side doors have you done this type of screen where it splits so you can go in and out and maybe it closes behind you with magnets? Is there a magnet that can be sewn in like you did for the snaps? Thanks so much. Blessings, Teri
If you haven't tried it yet , I used the Garage Door Magnetic Screen Door on the hatch DGCaravan. I am getting another to fabricate for the side doors plus I'll have leftover Netting. I use magnets to attach and then just take down and stow. I know this is awesome...I just don't have the time. Easy and smooth 😎 Blessings from Florida Meema and Jessi Beagle 👵🏼✌🏼🐕
You may not be a seamstress, but it looks damn good and so neat! I can tell you're not much of a perfectionist. Of course I am kidding because your work is as clean and tidy as can be! Thanks for sharing your knowledge. Happy trails, Valerie
+Christine Lowery (BEACHCRICKET) Oh good.. we are so glad to hear that! If you make your own, please share your photos with us on our Facebook page at facebook.com/backroadsvanner/ THANKS for watching!
I'm a new subscriber and I've gotta say these are great videos with lots of useful info. I lived in a Safari van from 2000 to 2003 and I'm looking to get on the road again soon. Trying to be patient while finding the right van and your vids are giving me a lot of inspiration and fun ideas. Thanks and keep on vanning!!
ive built my van already but youve given me some great ideas to improve on what ive already done. im gonna use your methods to screen off the bulkhead area . regards from england. new subscriber
+lynzteee THANKS! Not sure if you saw this already but here's a link on our web site with info and links to the materials: www.backroadsvanner.com/all-posts/vans/our-van/video-diy-custom-bug-screens-for-your-van/ Thanks for watching!
Wow, that was GREAT info... I actually like this idea instead of using the magnets.. I want to also put a screen door for the back/side door... using your instructions and then ....cutting the screen evenly down the middle (to open) use magnets to close the middle
if for some reason using the hammer to make them connect doesnt suit you... you can get snaps at tandy leather that have a teensy screw to hold it to the fabric or whatever your putting the snap on. use lock tite or super glue or the screw will back off.
Well done and I am sure many will be following your lead. I made a passengers screen but used strip magnets. It was a lot of work and not as durable as yours. Most of the windows have screens and they used the aluminum metal most screens use for the frame and screwed that to the doors. It was a factory job.
+VanoRama RV I made these screens 5 or 6 years ago but if I was creating them today, I might experiment with heavy magnets myself. Thank you for your comments! And thanks for watching.
The advantage of DIY screens over factory is tremendous. I like the appeal of current van specific screens, but you don't have the benefit of privacy, and the cost is outrageous compared to your materials and method. Boss!
Can I just order one of these from you? I just moved into my Ford econoline e150 elite series passenger. I need screen for my front window and doors! Plzzz
I know this may seem like a simple question but how did you make the holes in the edging. My concern is if I use the wrong method I could end up damaging the material I was thinking about a hot knife to make a perfectly clean hole....
Great video and will definitly help us with our project. We are visiting Southern Utah (flying into Vegas) for 2 weeks in September and planning on renting a Dodge Grand Caravan and temporarily and quickly converting it to an off-grid camper with a raised-platform bed with storage underneath. These screens will definitly help, but mine will need to be temporary. As I was watching I thought magnets might work better for us (snaps are definitely not an option of course). I'd like to bounce some ideas off of you and see what you think. Not sure how to contact you, but I will check your web page. Thanks again.
You could do strong magnets or velcro. Feel free to post your questions on our group page where other van owners may be able to share their thoughts as well - facebook.com/groups/backroadsvanner/
This was very informative. I love the screens. Do they block light from inside the van for stealth camping or do you still need block out curtains? I sew, and think I can make these. Would magnets work as a temporary fix? Not sure I could screw holes in metal or line them up properly. Also....Love your clean cut humor! Ha ha!
If you turn on lights inside, people can see in, especially at night. You could use magnets or velcro. Good luck! Feel free to share photos of your projects with us and othe van lovers on our group page at facebook.com/groups/backroadsvanner/
+vagabond88817 Congratulations on your new van. Good luck with your build. Stay tuned as we have many more great ideas coming up... And thanks for subscribing!!!
+H Peter Ji Awesome, glad you found it... we just replied to your previous comment with the link. Hope this screen video answered all your questions! Thanks for watching.
Great ideas, just bought a handicapped econoline camper van and I'm changing the bed design and a few other things in the van. We bought it to haul our wheeler and camp in on the weekend atv events. Thanks again !
This is a fantastic idea and also an excellent how-to! Thanks for the information and I hope to use it in the future. Also cannot wait to see more of your videos, I've subscribed! :)
This is fantastic. I am buying a sewing machine to learn how to make my own curtains and screens. I have a MCI bus and I need one of these for windows and the odd shaped front door! THANK YOU FOR THE INSPIRATION!!!
ineed to make one for our side door so the onfo was helpful.I have made two for the driver and passenger side doors I made like a sock that just slides right over the door with the magnets on the bottom so you can close the doors ok i recycled some of those magnetic sceens using the door as a pattern
+Tombstone I put Double Reflective Insulation (purchased at Home Depot) against the glass; then I glued fabric (purchased from Lowes' curtain dept) to a piece of paneling. Hope this helps. When you get your project completed, please share your photos with us at facebook.com/backroadsvanner/ Thanks for watching!
The screw snaps sold at Home Depot will drill right into the hard plastic molding of the door. You can attach the screen at the bottom with 3-4 snaps. If your door has soft vinyl, I guess it wont work.
Everything is perfection. I can only see one upgrade. Maybe add a magnetic strip to the bottom of your window screen. The beautiful thing about this design is that you now have a perfect pattern to make an insulated cover that will fit on to your existing snaps. What I really like it he strength and ease of your design. Thanks. Keep throwing those backroad projects out there.
Oh and I need a good refrigerator to hold all of my Lock & Lock containers with fresh vegetables and juicer and and a place for my spiralizer and hopefully a Vitamix because I'm a raw vegan. I get a kick out of raw food and what you can do to make it look cooked. I cannot believe I'm telling you this but you get to craving a ripe cucumber with oil and vinegar and Seasonings really bad the same way I used to Crave Donuts no, not kidding. Throw all that in with the van please lol
Sweet. I just picked up a 2012 Ford E250. My first thought was screening for camping. Between your very informative video and many of the comments, I now have a lot of ways to choose from. Oh, and I subscribed after the vid on insulating and upholstery. Great work, keep it up.
Hey, fellow tiny van campers and we too have no windows. Yay...you addressed a real issue for us...BUGS. Okay, worry about screwing in snaps because you have 3 different metals coming in contact and when there is condensation will that start to rust?? You have had this for a while...so you best can guide what you have learned since doing this. Thanks for the fun video.
