Screen Covers - Rails or no rails?

[Tony68000]

Looking at options for screen covers for Rapido 999M (collect in a couple of weeks).

I've spoken to the great people at TaylorMade and they've made me aware they require the fitting of an awning strip along the windows. They said they used to use a door flap, and the sliding windows, but there was problems with that letting in water or dripping.

I'm not sure I want a rail like this fitting to the van, not sure how it will look, but in theory it could be a better option - totally remove and fit the screen without opening the door or window, no chance of water getting in the van, etc.

But, are door flaps really that terrible though? Do you have any experience of the rails and how they look? Any thoughts?

I note that Minster/Polar and SilverScreens both use flaps.

 

[Lenny HB]

On our last van we had genuine Hymer screens they used a rail. Looked neat & made them really easy to fit.
Not bothered on current van as hardly used them on the last van.

 

[cyberyacht]

I've got them on my Carthago Compactline. Almost forget they are there. Up against the window frame and doorframe respectively so unobtrusive.

 

[eddie]

Close the blinds!

I always laugh when I see people out in the pouring rain trying to take their covers off, soaked and dripping wet, then trying to decide what the hell to do with the soaking covers that need drying out alongside the clothes that the hapless sod is wearing!

 

[Minxy]

Suckers ... that's what we use, our blind goes over the cab door (drivers side) and on the drivers side (no door) we use suckers ... works a treat and no nasty rail stuck on.

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[Tonks]

I use external screens which fit using a 'flap' which hooks over the doors and the screen is then held when the doors are shut. I don't have awning strips/rails and I've never had water inside the van because of the screens. Ditto system with my previous van, also totally dry inside the van.

 

[Tonks]

Close the blinds!

I always laugh when I see people out in the pouring rain trying to take their covers off, soaked and dripping wet, then trying to decide what the hell to do with the soaking covers that need drying out alongside the clothes that the hapless sod is wearing!

Pull off screens, brief wipe off on the floor of the van, fold up, and shove in the waterproof bag they come in. Job of 30 seconds.

The screens are the very last thing to come off pre departure, so there's always space to lay them out and fold them as everything else has been packed away. Though if the weather is dry-but-looking-imminently-ominous I do pull the screens off before the rain arrives. I've now got a set of internal screens, but I still use the external ones 99.9% of the time.

 

[Lenny HB]

I use external screens which fit using a 'flap' which hooks over the doors and the screen is then held when the doors are shut. I don't have awning strips/rails and I've never had water inside the van because of the screens. Ditto system with my previous van, also totally dry inside the van.

But yours is not an A Class.

 

[BusyBuilder]

I have these, excellent quality and fit on with press studs, never come off even in strong winds up here in the Highlands. Mine were fitted by previous owner.

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