Made DIY black-out window shades for camping in my R1S.

[blank_lemur]

I've wanted some black-out shades I could use while camping but didn't want to spend $100s on something like this. I've been thinking about making my own for a while and finally got around to it when I ran across a 6'x9' roll of indoor/outdoor carpet at Costco for all of $18. I figured it would be perfect to seal out the bright sun to be able to sleep in longer.

These pictures can sorta give you an idea of how well they block out the sun. They're taken mid-day today. I plan to buy shades for the windshield and roof unless I can find better material to make those out of. This carpet I used is fine when sitting vertically, but horizontal on the roof and they'd just fall out, I'm sure. I might experiment with doing the roof ones, though, just to see how it goes... maybe install a suction cup in the middle to hold it up and clips along the edges...

Anyway, I drew up templates for all of these and then created printable PDF files so anyone can just tape all the pages together and cut out your own, if you feel like it. You can find all of that here: https://www.printables.com/model/940141-rivian-r1s-window-templates

This feels a little premature given that I haven't even tried them yet, but wanted to share anyway!

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[Mobius1]

Looks good! Just be careful of the fumes that might come from them when they get hot. We have the indoor/outdoor carpet, but it had a liner at the bottom and it would smell weird in the socal sun.

 

[blank_lemur]

Oh, interesting. Yeah, if it starts to smell or anything like that we might have to re-do this with a different material. Thanks for the heads-up!

 

[Mr. Ham]

Thanks! The write up on printable is awesome too.

 

[NY_Rob]

Londoners would be proud!!

 

[Jakelake]

Ttry using Reflectix used in RVs as a window shade. It's very light, insulates from heat and cold, folds up easily, and can be used in the overhead and windshield. https://www.amazon.com/Aiglille-Ins...8-3-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1

 

[R1Sky Business]

I've wanted some black-out shades I could use while camping but didn't want to spend $100s on something like this. I've been thinking about making my own for a while and finally got around to it when I ran across a 6'x9' roll of indoor/outdoor carpet at Costco for all of $18. I figured it would be perfect to seal out the bright sun to be able to sleep in longer.

These pictures can sorta give you an idea of how well they block out the sun. They're taken mid-day today. I plan to buy shades for the windshield and roof unless I can find better material to make those out of. This carpet I used is fine when sitting vertically, but horizontal on the roof and they'd just fall out, I'm sure. I might experiment with doing the roof ones, though, just to see how it goes... maybe install a suction cup in the middle to hold it up and clips along the edges...

Anyway, I drew up templates for all of these and then created printable PDF files so anyone can just tape all the pages together and cut out your own, if you feel like it. You can find all of that here: https://www.printables.com/model/940141-rivian-r1s-window-templates

This feels a little premature given that I haven't even tried them yet, but wanted to share anyway!

McGrubber!!!!

 

[blank_lemur]

Ttry using Reflectix used in RVs as a window shade. It's very light, insulates from heat and cold, folds up easily, and can be used in the overhead and windshield. https://www.amazon.com/Aiglille-Ins...8-3-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1

Well that's just brilliant. I don't know how I didn't run across this before. I might have to try this out and make ones for the sunroof and windshield.

 

[blank_lemur]

How many of those clips did you 3D print/use?

I think I only ended up using 4 of them for the trunk window. The clips are actually pretty small.. probably too small. I wanted them low profile but I remember having them fall out a few times. You should try for yourself though and maybe scale them up to 150 or 200%.

If I remember right, all the side windows stay in place pretty well in their own so I didn’t need clips for those (I haven’t used them since last summer).

I did end up cutting one for my windshield too and just roll it up and keep it in the spare wheel storage in the trunk. If you do the same I suggest making it a little extra wide because after a few uses, my bubble wrap has creases and doesn’t sit perfectly flat anymore on the window. As a result, it’s slightly too short and some light gets in in the edges. So just give yourself a bit extra.

I also tried cutting sunroof ones out of the bubble wrap, which kinda worked. Because of the weight of them they would eventually droop and then fall down. I ended up just ordering the BestEvMod shades for those and they work pretty well.

I hope it all goes well!

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