Silver screens

[AlunandFelicie]

Are silver screens (exterior) a must for the continent? (A class van)

we’ll be in France for the Rugby World Cup and probably a couple of weeks before,what sort of temperatures could we expect (travelling with dogs) we do have an air conditioning unit on roof for when on hook up .
does everyone use them abroad?

 

[Stealaway]

We only use them when it cold say below 5°
But it's definitely cosy when they are on and they stop 90% of any condensation.
Always better to have some ready

 

[AJM2]

Never regretted buying mine. Keeps the van cooler in summer, warmer in winter and avoids condensation.

 

[PaulOH]

You probably will want screens (don't you have them already on the exterior of your roller blinds?). If you're in France in August, you'll see nearly everyone put up screens on their cars about town. Good thing is that if you need supplementary screens, then you'll find right up to large van size quite cheaply in your nearest Oriental Bazaar. They are effectively silverised bubble wrap with a bound edge and two suckers either side (attachments not people!!!) to hold them to the glass.

It also depends on your ability to ventilate and parking options. My Spanish experience shows me that campsites offer shade, but it is pricey, and MH stops/sites don't offer shade, but are a lot cheaper or even free.

Interior France can experience hectic temperatures and - barring some weird global warming blip that causes some sort of mad summer weather depression - you'll be wanting to shut out the sun to avoid inhospitable in-vehicle heat. On another thread somewhere I described an ambient daytime interior temperature of 55C in Valencia during the August 2018 heatwave - I have never handled heat like it before or since.

 

[Lenny HB]

Had them for our last A Class didn't use them much, not got them on this one never needed them. But we do have an aluminium insulated front roller blind and heating vents between the blind & screen.

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[AlunandFelicie]

We have got internal blinds (burstner) are they likely to be sufficient? They’re not slivered on the outside.

 

[PaulOH]

Don't sliver your blinds!!! These things are expensive!! I note the other comments but I use my silvered van blinds to reflect heat and they do work to an extent - I don't have aircon myself and notice the difference if a blind has been left open with the sun coming in and then it's closed.

I think maintaining an airflow through the van with secured open windows away from the sun and using your awning pointed in a south-westerly direction can cut down heat gain. Don't forget your mozzie blinds - I think you might find these more important at the end of the day!!

Park a metal and plastic box of any composition and colour in the sun and it'll heat up considerably - I have even seen people spray water on their van's exterior to wick off heat!

 

[Simon Meadwell]

Imo you will need silverscreens that time of year

 

[ChrisSue]

We use ours winter and summer for warmth or cool. Wouldn't be without them

 

[62272]

We bought our exterior Hindermann silver insulated windscreen cover when we bought our van, and use it constantly abroad (and UK for the opposite reason!). Makes a big difference in reducing the heat inside the van if you have the sun on the screen. Without it the van will get up to silly temperatures (using the concertina Hymer blinds) as the glass acts like a great big radiator.

In fact we have started covering the other windows (sunny side) too with silver foiled bubble wrap in July (south of France) and that makes things even more comfortable. Seen lots of locals doing this, and it keeps things a lot cooler.

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[kevenh]

My parents used to have a Peugeot Boxer based Motorhome from their former travels.
They had a few accessories stored in their garage.
One was a set of internal silver screens made for our chassis. They gave them to us

The difference between no screens and these silvered internal ones is really obvious in our warmer UK days. And they help keep heat inside during winter.

From MHF post feedback, external screens are better but I’ve no experience on how much better they are.
We have a moisture soaking towel to wipe round the windscreen when the time comes to leave the pitch. It’s a spare towel from my car detailing kit for wiping down the bodywork so absorbs well.

So, how much you want to spend on changing your current screens to silvered screens can guide you. As either will improve your comfort

 

[The Dudess]

We have a A class silver screen for sale. We found it very useful in both hot and cold temperatures.
Here are the dimensions. £50 - collect from Uttoxeter. Can take photos if required. PM me if interested.

 

[Bobandfay]

We use ours all the time keeps the van cool in summer and warm in the winter get one with the front panel that can be dropped down in the day

 

[Kirsten]

You will definitely need external silver screens to keep the sun from frying the inside of the van IMO , and in uk summer they keep the heat from the small rays we get through other windows in

 

[Wh05apk]

Never used or needed them, we just use the standard blinds if needed, can't see the point of going somewhere then closing everywhere so you can't see out?

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[Gaston aires]

We have had silver screens on our vans and I wouldn’t be without them. Some, like ours, have a pull down front so you can see outside. Makes a big difference when hot or cold.
Phil upmetank

 

[Wombles]

Love our screen covers - current favourite are Minster Polar silver ones (good quality & fair price) to keep warmer/cooler & for shade & privacy either their partial front or full front mesh Do have Remis blinds which are great for privacy & short stops where getting away quickly may be required but only offer a fraction of the benefits of the Polar ones.
Minster Polar do make A Class screen covers to order using a template kit if they don't already have the pattern or if you can't visit their premises - lots of good feedback on here & in person from Funsters about this service but other such suppliers are available too! Some extra options for anyone considering silver screens https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/foru...-thermal-screens-4-brands-to-consider.196105/

 

[Landy Andy]

Use our screens a lot in winter and summer. Makes a massive difference in our van, and we do have Remis side and front blinds. Even with them closed you can feel the heat. By the time the sun has hit the back of the screens it is inside the van. In good weather we will be sat outside, and want the van cool. Better for the for the fridge, and the dog.

 

[Simon Meadwell]

Imo you will need silverscreens that time of year

Love our screen covers - current favourite are Minster Polar silver ones (good quality & fair price) to keep warmer/cooler & for shade & privacy either their partial front or full front mesh Do have Remis blinds which are great for privacy & short stops where getting away quickly may be required but only offer a fraction of the benefits of the Polar ones.
Minster Polar do make A Class screen covers to order using a template kit if they don't already have the pattern or if you can't visit their premises - lots of good feedback on here & in person from Funsters about this service but other such suppliers are available too! Some extra options for anyone considering silver screens https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/foru...-thermal-screens-4-brands-to-consider.196105/

we used Minster Polar Screens, drove to the factory so they could template our A Class as they hadnt made screens for our type of moho before. Two hours or so later all made fab service.