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Topic: windshield film (Read 844 times) previous topic - next topic

windshield film

Have any of you had IR / heat reducing windshield film installed on your coach lately? What is that likely to cost on a U300 for the windshields and small windows on the sides of the windshields? I doubt I'll do all the windows on the sides of the coach unless the extra cost is minimal. Is there much difference between the different films and manufacturers? After thinking about this carefully for well over a year I plan to go with nearly transparent windshield film instead of a removable windshield cover. I want to keep an unimpaired view out my windshield, even at night. It's possible I'll stay in Big Bend national park this summer, which might mean I'd have the film installed in Del Rio TX (?)
Scott Cook
1991 U300 36' 6V92TA
Old Town Penobscot 16
1984 Honda VF1100C (V65 Magna)

Re: windshield film

Reply #2 –
I was just reading a bunch of stuff on the internet about windshield films and a disturbing number of physicists and engineers wrote that windshield film doesn't keep the interior of a stationary vehicle cool, mainly because the film gets so hot after an hour or so in the sun that it radiates the heat into the vehicle. Over the course of several hours parked in the sun there's little difference in overall recorded temperature inside two identical vehicles parked side by side, one with film and one without. If the vehicle is moving and has airflow over the windshield the heat is removed effectively and the vehicle really does stay cooler. My motorcoach will be stationary for entire days with little airflow over the windshield so this concerns me... and maybe I'll look for an external windshield cover instead... hmmm
Scott Cook
1991 U300 36' 6V92TA
Old Town Penobscot 16
1984 Honda VF1100C (V65 Magna)

Re: windshield film

Reply #3 –
Try the camco product that is silver on both sides with 1/4 bubble wrap in between, cut to fit inside of windshield
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: windshield film

Reply #5 –
-We have a Sunguard windshield screen that is mounted on the inside of the coach with Velcro, When its too hot or too cold we put the aluminized bubble wrap similar to that described by Tim between the Sunguard and the glass.  We got ours in a 48" wide roll at Lowes and cut it to fit. We also put the bubble wrap in the bedroom windows in the winter even though we have dual pane windows in our refurbed coach. It helps us conserve heat since we seldom open the bedroom windows in winter until we get to our warm winter places.
The selected media item is not currently available.Kent Speers
Locust Grove, OK
1993 U300 SSE 40' (Restored at FOT 2009) Build 4323
720 watts Solar
6V92TA DDEC Silver Engine
2014 Subaru Outback

Re: windshield film

Reply #6 –
We have used Sunguard outside covers on both of our Foretravels.  First thing I sometimes install in the summer or with the window facing the sun when we set up when parking.  I like that we can see out thru the screen cover, but it gives us lots of daytime privacy.  I have on occasion driven with it in place a short distance (100') to dump our tanks.

On two coaches we had installed, inside clear film.  It made a huge difference when we are traveling into the sun.  It is not evident that it is even on the windshield.  For the side driver/passenger windows we had installed legal tint.  For the rest of the coach windows, we had the darker limo tint.
Dave Cobb
Buckhorn Lake Resort The Club, #6202, Kerrville TX
check the map.  I do rent it out when I am traveling!
2001, U320, 36' #5887, in Kerrville, FT Club #17006, (7/23 to present)
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Summit, white
EX: 98 U295, 36' #5219, (mid door), (4/13-10/23)
EX: 93 U225, 36' (4/11 to 4/13)

Re: windshield film

Reply #7 –
Quote
  Try the Camco product that is silver on both sides with 1/4 bubble wrap in between 
Does Camco repackage Reflectix?  (sold in Home Depot / Lowes)
http://www.reflectixinc.com/basepage.asp?PageName=Double+Reflective+Insulation&PageIndex=622 Can't see through it so it won't help Scott, but it does keep the heat out ( and cold out)...

Re: windshield film

Reply #8 –
Maybe I'll just close my windshield drapes during the hottest part of the day... or get on my motorcycle and ride up to the basin where it's cool... and snarf an ice cream? :)
Scott Cook
1991 U300 36' 6V92TA
Old Town Penobscot 16
1984 Honda VF1100C (V65 Magna)

Re: windshield film

Reply #9 –
After thinking some more about windshield film getting hot and radiating heat back into the vehicle while it's parked with no airflow across the glass to carry the heat away I realized that I never leave my coach with no airflow across the glass on a hot day. The airflow is across the inside of the glass instead of the outside though. I normally leave one of the little front windows open with the exhaust fan over the stove drawing air through the coach all day long. I intend to replace that exhaust fan with a 12 volt DC evaporative "swamp" cooler as soon as practical. I will still leave one of the little front windows open but the cool air will be blowing out the window instead of in... so I don't see why airflow across the inside of the glass won't carry the heat away... or am I missing something... well I'm sure I'm missing a lot of things but I mean about the windshield film and getting rid of the heat :)
Scott Cook
1991 U300 36' 6V92TA
Old Town Penobscot 16
1984 Honda VF1100C (V65 Magna)

Re: windshield film

Reply #10 –
After living with DOT approved windshield film and thinking it would reduce temperature build up, I've discovered the positives.
It will reduce AC load and reduce heat a touch but.. not a big difference FWIW and it does a fair job of reducing glare.  pc
S/W Houston 95" U320C SE/40' 
Build #4778  Cummins M11
Repairs & Covered RV Parking (BAO)
PPL is close..

Re: windshield film

Reply #11 –
...so the amount of heat reduction is not worth several hundred dollars to have film installed?
Scott Cook
1991 U300 36' 6V92TA
Old Town Penobscot 16
1984 Honda VF1100C (V65 Magna)
 

Re: windshield film

Reply #12 –
I don't presume to make a judgement when it concerns your spending preferences.
If I had had a better understanding of clear sunscreen film
the drivers side window would be the only window I would cover for a start.
That would give you a better point of reference when it comes to the your windshields.  pc
S/W Houston 95" U320C SE/40' 
Build #4778  Cummins M11
Repairs & Covered RV Parking (BAO)
PPL is close..