One of the best bits of financial advice I’ve heard is to spend your money paying people to do things you don’t like to do. (In my case, that includes yard work, plumbing, and dealing with drywall.) It’s actually a key to happiness and financial satisfaction, to which I can attest. However, I would also add a corollary: If there things you can make but other people make them better, pull out your wallet. I mean, no diss on DIY, cause I love DIY, but I just went through a ridiculous series of projects to keep bugs out of my vehicle when I’m sleeping at night only to discover a simpler, cheaper, and better solution.
Unless I’m backpacking or bikepacking, a lot of my nights are spent inside my rig with the windows rolled down. It’s easier, faster, and more comfortable, and I’d bet all you Pinterest-saving sleeping platform project junkies know what I’m talking about. But turn on your headlamp or phone or tablet and it’s like bug city in there. Not fun.
My first idea was to get a roll of screening and use strong rare-earth magnets to keep in place. Do you know how much rare earth magnets cost? A lot. Measuring and cutting the screening—oof. I probably spent $40 on a system that took a lot of time and wasn’t very effective.
Then I was at the Outpost trade show and saw a new product from an up and coming brand—a simple mesh sleeve that goes over your window. Duh! The problem—they were asking $50 for about $8 worth of fabric and labor. The Google turned up scores of cheaper alternatives, including the one I eventually purchased, which runs from $17 to $22 depending on size.
They’re marketed as sun shades, not bug screens, but in my testing they work a lot better for the latter than the former. Just for kicks, I drove with the shade over the window and (not surprisingly) it flapped like a mad hen. For keeping out skeeters and moths at night, though—flawless. 20 times better? More like 100. And it’s light and compact—I just keep it in the door storage pocket.
So, there you go. I might be the last to the party, but you can teach an old dog new tricks and mangle multiple metaphors with one stone. Now I just have to figure out what else I’m being dimwitted about.
Steve, thank you for this. After a fairly mosquito-ridden night in my car up by Leadville last night, I’m ordering RIGHT NOW. Brilliant.
Hey Steve – did it let a breeze in fairly well? Looks like a good pro-tip, will have to get it out!
Yes! I discovered this last year through a similar brain wave trail. Lots of fresh air, no mozzies. Also some moderate privacy as it’s harder for people to see in. Love love love!
We have been using Skeeterbeater for years. They use magnets to hold them in place on the outside window frame. We initially bought screens for our Nissan NV SMB camper van’s driver and passenger doors. We also bought screening material and magnets to make a screen for the sliding door. Later, Skeeterbeater made a rear door screen for our type of van. Durability has been excellent despite some rough use. Our dogs like them for being bug proof and offering a great view with the slider open. The have not tried to burst through them. We like them for being bug proof and great ventilation. Only issue for us is the need to remove the slider and rear screens before closing the doors. Not so for other NV owners. Another manufacturer wanted to charge us for making a template as well as the cost of the screens.