How to prevent water ingress when camping with side windows open

DrJuanKerr

DrJuanKerr

Messages
530
Location
Cardiff
Vehicle
T6 Ocean 204
In my 1965 SO-42 "splittie" I have jalousie windows that run the length of the vehicle that I can open in wet weather without the inside getting wet

The Cali clearly has no such windows

I have found numerous systems online to allow air to circulate the vehcle when camped to alleviate condensation and wonder how effective they would be to prevent rain ingress

These fit in the rear --> http://shop.camper-himmel.de/Lueftungsgitter-Schiebefenster-breit-links-fuer-VW-T5-/-T6-ab-2003_1
These Brandrup vents fit in the front windows but imho look like something my father knocked up in his shed--> https://www.brandrup.de/en/brandrup...accessories/vw-vehicle-exterior/vw-airscreen/

These deflectors from dub flectas will let me open the front windows a couple of inches without the rain coming in and allow air to circulate -->http://www.dubflecta.co.uk/.

The Brandrup Airscreen fits the left sliding window but seems overly expensive for a piece of perspex --> https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/shop/product/brandrup-airscreen-left-sliding-window-vw-california-t5-t6

Calicap have a similar [cheaper] product but I'm unsure as to whether it would work in driving rain, I'm doubtful --> https://calitop.eu/product_info.php?info=p18_rain-protection-side-window.html

This bright spark has made a rain canopy and supplies the plans needed --> https://www.supermagnete.de/Magnetanwendungen/Regenvordach-fuers-Wohnmobil

Does anyone have any other suggestions apart from "close the windows in the rain"
Cheers

Interesting that one of my links above works first time created but not thereafter. All the more interesting is the fact it's a link to a everythingvwcalifornia URL
 
Last edited by a moderator:
DrJuanKerr said:
In my 1965 SO-42 "splittie" I have jalousie windows that run the length of the vehicle that I can open in wet weather without the inside getting wet

The Cali clearly has no such windows

I have found numerous systems online to allow air to circulate the vehcle when camped to alleviate condensation and wonder how effective they would be to prevent rain ingress

These fit in the rear --> http://shop.camper-himmel.de/Lueftungsgitter-Schiebefenster-breit-links-fuer-VW-T5-/-T6-ab-2003_1
These Brandrup vents fit in the front windows but imho look like something my father knocked up in his shed--> https://www.brandrup.de/en/brandrup...accessories/vw-vehicle-exterior/vw-airscreen/

These deflectors from dub flectas will let me open the front windows a couple of inches without the rain coming in and allow air to circulate -->http://www.dubflecta.co.uk/.

The Brandrup Airscreen fits the left sliding window but seems overly expensive for a piece of perspex --> https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/shop/product/brandrup-airscreen-left-sliding-window-vw-california-t5-t6

Calicap have a similar [cheaper] product but I'm unsure as to whether it would work in driving rain, I'm doubtful --> https://calitop.eu/product_info.php?info=p18_rain-protection-side-window.html

This bright spark has made a rain canopy and supplies the plans needed --> https://www.supermagnete.de/Magnetanwendungen/Regenvordach-fuers-Wohnmobil

Does anyone have any other suggestions apart from "close the windows in the rain"
Cheers
Click to expand...
I use the Front Cab vents as sold in the club shop , the Dubreflecta for overnight stops and made my own version of the Brandrup Airscreen.
The Front Cab window vents we use on site as you can lockup securely. Well as securely as you can with a canvas roof. Works for us.
 
DrJuanKerr said:
Do you have any details of this please? Any photographs, details of poly used etc
Click to expand...
Not for 4 weeks, on my way downunder.
Used, a sheet of 1.5mm acrylic from eBay. White sash cord, some large suction cups and black gaffer type.
Length of cord along short edge of sheet covered and secured with tape. This would slide into awning rail. Other end has holes to secure cord with suction cups on length of cord. When inserted in rail sheet is horizontal and then bent downwards and suction cups fit to clean body panel. Acrylic sheet is about 20cms greater than height of windows and as wide as you want. Wider might require more suction cups. Stored under roof bed.
 
Last edited:
Does it just fit in the gully on the side of the Cali
 
WelshGas said:
Not for 4 weeks, on my way downunder.
Used, a sheet of 1.5mm acrylic from eBay. White sash cord, some large suction cups and black gaffer type.
Click to expand...
:offtopic:stopYour Cali isn´t gonna be parked up for 4 weeks without turning a wheel
is it ? Terrible way to treat a Cali :D
Enjoy, :cheers
 
westfalia said:
:offtopic:stopYour Cali isn´t gonna be parked up for 4 weeks without turning a wheel
is it ? Terrible way to treat a Cali :D
Enjoy, :cheers
Click to expand...
At least its not idle all winter.:D:thumb
 
WelshGas said:
Awning rail on N/S .
Click to expand...

Ok, so it merely slides into the awning rail on the passengers side. I guess you have somehow mounted two vacuum suction cups to it to attach to the window>
 
DrJuanKerr said:
Ok, so it merely slides into the awning rail on the passengers side. I guess you have somehow mounted two vacuum suction cups to it to attach to the window>
Click to expand...
I attach suction pads to body work, such that acrylic sheet bends to be about 6" from window.
 
DrJuanKerr said:
How do you attach the sheet to the suction pads though?
Click to expand...
I just use some cord passed through 2 holes in sheet with suction pads on end. Holes in corners of bottom of sheet.
 
DrJuanKerr said:
... already got them and they're great for the front. The rear is the biggest problem for me
Click to expand...
I understand what your saying
All I do is keep the window side closed that’s taking the force of the bad weather and use the opposite side window that doesn’t (occasional use of a chamois if needed)
That normally works o.k. for me :)

Alan
 
I've got Dubflecta and can report they do what they're meant to do. I will say however, their contour fails to follow the contour of the glass when its open. It's a close match but it no way perfect. I can't say I've noticed any increase in wind noise.

The Mrs and I went to the club shop yesterday to pick up a new mattress topper and exchange my wrong Beach Isotop for the correct California one. Whilst there I asked to see the Brandrup Airscreen to determine the complexity of its construction.

I priced the cost of the following:
Including postage it all worked out at just under £35.

Factoring in the "faff" and "beef" values respectively, the additional £22 for the Airstream seemed a good buy :thumb. Of course, if some scrote pinches it I'll be most upset.

Once used in earnest I'll report back
 
DrJuanKerr said:
... already got them and they're great for the front. The rear is the biggest problem for me
Click to expand...

I have the Dubflectors too and I find the ventilation from the front windows enough when it's raining - but I only camp in UK.



 
kp64zl said:
any views on Dubflecta vs VW OEM wind deflectors please?

View attachment 40245
Click to expand...
I have Dubflectors and am happy with them. I think you'll find most people have one or the other and are happy with them so it's probably just down to which look you prefer.
 
I have these
235.jpg

But I think the deflectors would be better, then I can just crack open the window and don't ned to install and transport these sheets of metal.
But I use the original blackouts for door windows (supplied with Cali T5) and i think its stops all the air or?
This is why i'm also looking for a solution for the sliding window.
so my question to the people who say you're happy with the result from the deflectors, don't you use the door blinds?
 
nathmac said:
I have these
235.jpg

But I think the deflectors would be better, then I can just crack open the window and don't ned to install and transport these sheets of metal.
But I use the original blackouts for door windows (supplied with Cali T5) and i think its stops all the air or?
This is why i'm also looking for a solution for the sliding window.
so my question to the people who say you're happy with the result from the deflectors, don't you use the door blinds?
Click to expand...

If I'm "Covert City camping" I won't use the supplied window covers but will close a curtain I've installed. If I'm using them however, I simply fold the top section over to ventilate the car. As the deflectors are tinted, you can't see the covers folder over. It works fine
 
I find mine quite noisy with the wind hitting them at higher speeds on the motorway
 
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