Cheap DIY 5$ window vent option for in-vehicle camping!

[The_Axeman]

So I came across this solution recently on YouTube and decided to give it a try since the current options cost hundreds of dollars $$$. This option cost me about 5$ for both since I already had black spray paint and some Gorilla Glue.

I’m leaving on a 3 week road trip soon and wanted to have the flexibility of camping out in the Bronco as/if needed. I’m still putting my raised rear platform together but I’m waiting on some fabric and what not.

Anyhoodles….super simple project that should work great!

Warning! - I doubt this will suffice for no-see-ums (or however they’re spelled ) but one could easily upgrade the mesh that comes pre-installed.
These are gutter guards that are found at Home Depot (even in Canada) for under 2.50$ each. Pictures follow.

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[7.3ltr bronco]

Nice

 

[Badlux]

Now go and produce a bunch, sell them for $100 a pair and make a mint.

 

[The_Axeman]

Now go and produce a bunch, sell them for $100 a pair and make a mint.

You can’t sell this crap. Lol. They do the job but are flimsy and cheap as hell. They don’t need to be tough though - so they serve their purpose - but as we say - “you get what you pay for!”

 

[1979]

You can’t sell this crap. Lol. They do the job but are flimsy and cheap as hell. They don’t need to be tough though - so they serve their purpose - but as we say - “you get what you pay for!”

Make them out of tinted clear plastic with more refined vent holes and I promise you’d have a legit product to market.

 

[The_Axeman]

Make them out of tinted clear plastic with more refined vent holes and I promise you’d have a legit product to market.

They already exist.
Here you go …..

https://www.pandamotorworks.com/products/visual-autowerks-window-vents-2021-ford-bronco-4-door

 

[1979]

They already exist.
Here you go …..

https://www.pandamotorworks.com/products/visual-autowerks-window-vents-2021-ford-bronco-4-door

Well damn. I’m convinced there’s no original ideas left In this world. At least you’re able to make one that works just as well for a fraction of the cost. Nice work man.

 

[The_Axeman]

Well damn. I’m convinced there’s no original ideas left In this world. At least you’re able to make one that works just as well for a fraction of the cost. Nice work man.

Thanks buddy! One unfortunate thing about the part I used is that the natural position (curve) of the gutter guard results in the mesh being on the outside. You could tear it off and reinstall it on the other side - or replace it with a higher quality mesh - and it would be a much cleaner end result. But for the number of times that I need to sleep in the Bronco - I couldn’t care less.

 

[Sarconus]

So I came across this solution recently on YouTube and decided to give it a try since the current options cost hundreds of dollars $$$. This option cost me about 5$ for both since I already had black spray paint and some Gorilla Glue.

I’m leaving on a 3 week road trip soon and wanted to have the flexibility of camping out in the Bronco as/if needed. I’m still putting my raised rear platform together but I’m waiting on some fabric and what not.

Anyhoodles….super simple project that should work great!

Warning! - I doubt this will suffice for no-see-ums (or however they’re spelled ) but one could easily upgrade the mesh that comes pre-installed.
These are gutter guards that are found at Home Depot (even in Canada) for under 2.50$ each. Pictures follow.

that is pretty cool actually. well done sir!

 

[Benzo]

They already exist.
Here you go …..

https://www.pandamotorworks.com/products/visual-autowerks-window-vents-2021-ford-bronco-4-door

I like yours better You can also add extra layers of off-setting mesh if you wanted better protection. Great job. I would do this if I was getting a 4 door.

 

[JHawk]

Well damn. I’m convinced there’s no original ideas left In this world. At least you’re able to make one that works just as well for a fraction of the cost. Nice work man.

I doubt that it would be difficult to produce something that sells for half the price and still nets a nice profit if one where motivated.

 

[ICUGAZN]

They already exist.
Here you go …..

https://www.pandamotorworks.com/products/visual-autowerks-window-vents-2021-ford-bronco-4-door

When I saw these at SEMA, I was wondering wha the use case was for these. Now I know.

 

[Rick Astley]

Can you confirm if these are bear proof or not?

Would be good to know what level of R&D went into this setup.


FWIW: we used to have these in our track cars as it greatly aided airflow in the cabin to have the rear windows open, but they still had to pass tech inspection. Having the front windows open was obnoxious with an open face helmet. Made from aluminum or carbon fiber typically though.

 

[Matsterious]

So I came across this solution recently on YouTube and decided to give it a try since the current options cost hundreds of dollars $$$. This option cost me about 5$ for both since I already had black spray paint and some Gorilla Glue.

I’m leaving on a 3 week road trip soon and wanted to have the flexibility of camping out in the Bronco as/if needed. I’m still putting my raised rear platform together but I’m waiting on some fabric and what not.

Anyhoodles….super simple project that should work great!

Warning! - I doubt this will suffice for no-see-ums (or however they’re spelled ) but one could easily upgrade the mesh that comes pre-installed.
These are gutter guards that are found at Home Depot (even in Canada) for under 2.50$ each. Pictures follow.

Great idea!

I plan on making these this weekend with intentions to only sleep in the bronco on my coming road trip using the deep sleep overland mattress.

A few questions if you don't mind:

1) Do they make a big difference in the comfort of car sleeping, and

2) Any changes to the plans you would of done differently?

Thanks a bunch!

 

[The_Axeman]

Great idea!

I plan on making these this weekend with intentions to only sleep in the bronco on my coming road trip using the deep sleep overland mattress.

A few questions if you don't mind:

1) Do they make a big difference in the comfort of car sleeping, and

2) Any changes to the plans you would of done differently?

Thanks a bunch!

They definitely help if camping inside your rig. Without some windows being open the humidity level will suck. You’ll freeze more when it’s cold and sweat more when it’s hot. Good airflow helps with that. These with keep out mosquitoes as mentioned - but if you have no-see-ums in your area there’s no guarantee. You could double-up the mesh to help.
no need to change anything. They work. Be careful using any heat source for any reason near them - they’ll warp easily. I would imagine you could somehow add a bit of a coat-hanger frame around the perimeter (on the outside obviously) to give it better rigidity - but I don’t use them enough for it to matter.
Good luck with your project and have fun camping!

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