When building the van the term, “stealth camping” popped up. Stealth camping is over nighting somewhere illegal or frowned upon so campers try to be as subtle as possible about living or sleeping in a van. Blackout window covers are essential for this to block any light from inside the van being visible outside the van.

Black out window covers engaged, though stealth wasn’t required at this dispersed campsite. The reflective side helps a bit with keeping the van warm for cold nights, which is why we had them turned this way.

On the other hand, reflective window covers do an excellent job of keeping the sun from heating the inside of the van and help with temperature regulation. Both sides ensure privacy.

Part list:

Reflectix Unfaced Reflective Insulation (Buy on Amazon)

Black Duck Cloth – Buy at a Fabric Store

3M Super 90 Spray Adhesive (Buy on Amazon)

Neodymium Magnets (Buy on Amazon)

Polypropylene Webbing – Buy at a Fabric Store

The process:

Starting on the back windows was the easiest option. I made templates out of poster board. The templates were made to cover the whole window and overlap onto the metal lip surrounding the window. The idea is that the magnets will attach to the metal lip around the window.

I took the template and used it as a stencil to trace the outline onto the Reflectix using a permanent marker and then cut out the Reflectix using regular kitchen scissors. We then compared the cut Reflectix to the window to check I got the dimensions right.

Since the back windows are identical, I used the template to trace another outline and cut out another piece of Reflectix for the other back window.

Next were the side windows in the cab. I repeated the process while making sure to leave enough overhang where magnets could attach to metal. I made a template, traced the outline of the template onto Reflectix, cut out the Reflectix, checked my cut, and made a second cutout for the opposite window.

I repeated the same process for the sliding door window.

The windshield was the hardest to create a template for because it is so big. I recommend leaving an extra inch, or even more, around your template when you cut the Reflectix, for adjustments because it was so hard for me to get a good template. Because we still have our rearview mirror up, I made a very small cutout to accommodate it.

After all the Reflectix shapes were cut out and checked on the windows, I used them as stencils for the black cloth and traced them with a white pencil. While doing this, I had to be mindful that the side cab windows needed to be mirrors of each other and the sliding door window blacked out the most light in one orientation. The orientation of the black cloth shape mattered.

With the black cloth cutouts ready to go, I sprayed 3M Super 90 adhesive on the Reflectix piece then smoothed the black cloth over it, being careful to line up the edges.

Andrew’s mom showed me how to use the sewing machine, so then I stitched one line about a half inch from the edge all the way around each window cover. I did this as a backup to the Super 90 because I wasn’t sure how well it would adhere.

I used polypropylene webbing as the edging for each piece by running it around each window cover and folding it over the edge. I used straight pins to hold it in place and then stitched it on with the sewing machine. Corners were especially difficult. Next time, I will melt the ends of the webbing before I stitch it on to prevent fraying.

Before adding magnets, I took the covers to the van and made notes on where they actually touched metal. The back window covers were easy because of the metal lip around the windows. The side cab window covers only touch metal on the back edge and some of the top edge. The sliding door window cover touches metal on almost all edges. The windshield window cover doesn’t touch metal at all.

To add magnets, I stitched 2 parallel lines perpendicular to the edge of the cover, just wide enough apart to accommodate the magnets I chose. Then I took a seam ripper and ripped out the stitch holding the webbing only between the two parallel lines.

Close up showing a bagnet and the stitching on the edge of a front side window cover

I shoved magnets into the small pockets I had created on both sides of the window cover. This way they would be strongly attached no matter which side was facing out. I then stitched across the top of the parallel lines to make sure the magnets stayed in.

For the windshield, I didn’t use any magnets because there was no metal to attach them to. Instead I stitched Velcro to the window cover over the polypropylene webbing and stuck the opposing Velcro sides to the windshield. The velcro works well, except when it gets very hot. I used industrial strength velcro and at times the adhesive has melted and we have had to reapply. If I were to do it again, I would either cement magnets to the edges of headliner or the windshield or find a different adhesive method for the velcro.

Testing our rear window covers. Lights are on full blast.

Rear window covers on now, and can’t see a thing. Lights are still on full blast.

Why I Chose These Materials:

I knew we needed a reflective window cover at certain times because of their ability to regulate temperature inside the van for both us and Billie as well as to protect the dashboard and inside from direct sunlight. Reflectix is a good choice for reflective insulation (but misused by many people building vans!), was easy to find, and seemed very similar to what the average car window cover is made from. With the reflective window covers up on all windows, our sliding door T-vent open and our rooftop fan on full blast, we can keep the van within a few degrees of ambient temperature on hot and sunny days. This is very important for keeping yourself comfortable and a pet safe inside the van.

For the other side of the window covers, I knew I wanted black cloth because in the dark it makes the van look like no one is in it. A pattern would be more fun but black draws less attention. I knew I wanted a heavy fabric that could stand up to a lot of sunlight so I wandered around a fabric store until I found duck cloth which is just a heavy cotton canvas. After a year and a half of use, the black has faded a little bit not terribly.

Magnets seemed like the obvious choice for attaching the window covers to the windows because they didn’t do any damage to the van. They are also relatively cheap and easy to find. The Velcro for the windshield was also the least destructive method.

One other thing I would do differently is the polypropylene webbing. If I used it again, I would definitely burn the ends so it didn’t fray. It also doesn’t do well with anything that isn’t smooth. It is looking a little worn but generally holding up better than expected.

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