5th Gen Camping Screens Prototype

T

TangentAudio

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I wanted to share the results of a bunch of work that I've been doing over the last month or so to design a better camping screen for our 5th gens. After a lot of searching, I couldn't find anything available on the market that I liked, and the "quick and dirty" methods like using painters tape and raw screen didn't meet my desire for something elegant and re-usable.

I tried a handful of different approaches to solving the problem and finally found an approach I liked, and it took a few iterations of that design to get to what I show here.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5LVOF-tmosk" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 
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Very cool, love the design. I have had great luck with the elastic screens that stretch over the top of the door frame, so you can roll the window down as little or as much as you like. I don't even use the velcro, it works perfectly on the 4runner windows. This is definitely a more elegant solution, but I'm curious if you tried those?
 
cascadiarunner said:
Very cool, love the design. I have had great luck with the elastic screens that stretch over the top of the door frame, so you can roll the window down as little or as much as you like. I don't even use the velcro, it works perfectly on the 4runner windows. This is definitely a more elegant solution, but I'm curious if you tried those?
Click to expand...

I've always wondered about these - the top and sides are "sealed" against the door frame, but the bottom is completely open? Couldn't anything just crawl in from the bottom?
 
kaitlyn2004 said:
I've always wondered about these - the top and sides are "sealed" against the door frame, but the bottom is completely open? Couldn't anything just crawl in from the bottom?
Click to expand...

The inside has a tiny gap at the bottom since it's slightly convex, but the outside sits totally flush against the window as long as you keep an inch or two of the window exposed. I've used them over 20 nights or so of camping and haven't had a single issue.
 
The link won't open for me, but...
I've had window screens for the cab of my 18-wheeler for over a decade.
Fits in the channel on the top and back, and over the glass. This leaves a large triangle section at the front.
There is a plastic panel that pivots and fills this gap and is always attached to the screen frame.
I can take pictures on Wed, or you could go in to any truck stop where they are sold.
Might give you ideas.
Here's a link:
Truck Window Screen #1 Full Size - Raney's Truck Parts

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
 
I'd buy. I have a few things that work ok but nothing as elegant as that.

And judging from the number of threads on the subject, there's $ to be made.
 
cascadiarunner said:
Very cool, love the design. I have had great luck with the elastic screens that stretch over the top of the door frame, so you can roll the window down as little or as much as you like. I don't even use the velcro, it works perfectly on the 4runner windows. This is definitely a more elegant solution, but I'm curious if you tried those?
Click to expand...

I never liked the idea of trapping the screen in my door gaskets, and also seemed like it would be an easy way for water to wick inside if it rained. I have friends that like that style of screen for their Sprinter vans, good to hear it's an option for 4Runners.
 
on first sight i thought the screen seemed too small relative to the surround but that's because i assumed the surround was some type of plastic or abs material. if the whole thing is foam like i'm guessing it has to be that thick to provide the necessary structural support?

also notable is that was a very well produced video :thumb:
 
usdmej said:
on first sight i thought the screen seemed too small relative to the surround but that's because i assumed the surround was some type of plastic or abs material. if the whole thing is foam like i'm guessing it has to be that thick to provide the necessary structural support?

also notable is that was a very well produced video :thumb:
Click to expand...

Yes, that's right. I could probably get a bit more screen area. There's a limit, at some point it won't be rigid enough to stay put.

And thanks, glad you liked it!
 
Awesome idea... if you have plans to produce I'm sure folks would be interested. Personally I'd also be interested in the rear cargo window. Any plans for that?
 
Six_Actual said:
Personally I'd also be interested in the rear cargo window. Any plans for that?
Click to expand...

with 2 window screens you're potentially creating a path for air to flow in and then out of the vehicle keeping things fresher, not so much with a large rear screen.

also, a rear window screen would be pretty annoying to carry around when not in use
 
Six_Actual said:
Awesome idea... if you have plans to produce I'm sure folks would be interested. Personally I'd also be interested in the rear cargo window. Any plans for that?
Click to expand...

I've considered it, though I don't have immediate plans to do it. I was thinking I'd probably make it fold in half so it wouldn't take up so much room when you weren't using it.
 
cascadiarunner said:
Very cool, love the design. I have had great luck with the elastic screens that stretch over the top of the door frame, so you can roll the window down as little or as much as you like. I don't even use the velcro, it works perfectly on the 4runner windows. This is definitely a more elegant solution, but I'm curious if you tried those?
Click to expand...

I do the exact same thing.... they were less than $10 on amazon :dancin:
 
I like it better than Yota Club version since this one is for the entire window. Guess there’s is more for driving, not camping.
Just need them for all the windows, including the back.
 
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