As a van dwelling wanderer , I appreciate the opportunity to escape the noise and frequent chaos of city and suburban neighborhoods. There is nothing quite like waking up to the sound of bird song and a cool breeze.
The trick as a van dweller is to enjoy that breeze without inviting every flying, biting thing into your portable abode. To that end, I set about figuring out a way to screen my van windows without any form of permanent installation.
I’ve read about people actually using velcro on either the inside or outside of their vehicle’s doors to attach screening. That just sounded like it was going to both look and be a mess.
Someone else spoke of using screening with magnets or magnetic tape attached. This sounded like a good idea but I was doubtful, having used magnetic tape, that the tape would stick to the screen once it was exposed to the weather.
Still, with this idea in mind, I began a search for materials online. Finding a suitable mesh material (with openings small enough to screen out all forms of flying teeth, yet sturdy and flexible) without buying in bulk proved to be a challenge.
As I was searching, I began to see listings for window screens for tractor-trailers. I knew I was on to something. Bingo. I found a company which produced screens exactly like I was looking for in eight custom sizes. Vehicles are listed on their website so you can pick your size. TheSkeeter Beater is sold in pairs with a storage bag. This item is a custom cut screen with magnets sewn in.
Not being much of a seamstress, I verified my size by email with their very helpful customer service dept. and ordered. When they arrived a few days later (packed in an eco-friendly recycled paper envelope) it was like getting a new toy. I immediately had to try them out. The “Rocky Mountain” fit my Chevy Express cargo van like they were made for it. In fact they were, having been designed by The Skeeter Beater people using measurements from a Chevy Express 2500.
I live in the northern Virginia woods next to a national forest. We have deer, bears, and the usual assortment of smaller mammals, snakes, spiders, and so on. My particular area is infested with gnats (no see’ums, flying teeth, black flies), some of which bite, but not when I’m working in the van any more! I put the front window screens on and settle in the back of the van to work in bug-free peace.
They’re easy to put on, take off and stow. The compact storage bag is easy to use and has a long enough drawstring that you could hang it on a hook if you were short of storage space.
If the temperature is warm enough, or there is no breeze, I also turn on my roof-installed fan. But that is a story for another article.
