DIY: Black-out window shades for camping in my R1S

[Rivian Blue]

I've always had the thought of wanting some black-out shades I could use while camping but didn't want to spend $100 on something like this. I've been thinking about how to probably make my own for a while and finally met someone who told me he could help me out with it and all I need was to get 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. This was taken in his R1S and he plans to buy shades for the windshield and roof unless he probably can find better material to make those out of. This carpet he used is actually fine when sitting vertically, but horizontal on the roof and they might just fall out, I'm sure. I'm not too concerned about the roof but he says he 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, he 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 their own, if you feel like it. You can find all of that here:

Rivian R1S Window Templates by Todd Stansell | Download free STL model | Printables.com

Templates to cut out your own window shades for a Rivian R1S. | Download free 3D printable STL models

www.printables.com

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

 

[BG]

Thanks for sharing, you almost need something lighter. Not carpet. The carpet seems way too heavy for window coverings.

I remember seeing on post on Trail4Runner.com for something like this from Strawfoot window covers.

Trail Impressions: Strawfoot Handmade Window Covers - Trail4R.com

Product Review: Strawfoot Handmade Window Covers for the 5th Gen 4Runner, Everything you need to know about window covers for your 4Runner

trail4runner.com

They also make custom covers. This would probably be the best material solution for the window coverings. I would send those template files to Strawfoot to get a quote.

Custom Window Covers

Don't see your vehicle listed or need a custom size window cover for a window in your van or camper? Vehicles we have patterns for, but are not online yet: Ford Transit Passenger Wagon, Ford Econoline, Mercedes Metris, Chevy Express, VW Vanagon, VW Doka, Toyota Troopy. Please email us. We make...

strawfoothandmade.com

 

[Rivian Blue]

Thanks for sharing, you almost need something lighter. Not carpet. The carpet seems way too heavy for window coverings.

I remember seeing on post on Trail4Runner.com for something like this from Strawfoot window covers.

Trail Impressions: Strawfoot Handmade Window Covers - Trail4R.com

Product Review: Strawfoot Handmade Window Covers for the 5th Gen 4Runner, Everything you need to know about window covers for your 4Runner

trail4runner.com

They also make custom covers. This would probably be the best material solution for the window coverings. I would send those template files to Strawfoot to get a quote.

Custom Window Covers

Don't see your vehicle listed or need a custom size window cover for a window in your van or camper? Vehicles we have patterns for, but are not online yet: Ford Transit Passenger Wagon, Ford Econoline, Mercedes Metris, Chevy Express, VW Vanagon, VW Doka, Toyota Troopy. Please email us. We make...

strawfoothandmade.com

Thanks for sharing these articles. I've gone through them and I think you're right. Going for a lighter material seems like the best option. I'll reach out to them and probably have a conversation with them about their options. Once again, thanks for sharing

 

[BG]

Thanks for sharing these articles. I've gone through them and I think you're right. Going for a lighter material seems like the best option. I'll reach out to them and probably have a conversation with them about their options. Once again, thanks for sharing

Yeah no problem. Trail4Runner.com has a ton of good mod ideas that might carry over to the Rivian.

 

[Rivian Blue]

Yeah no problem. Trail4Runner.com has a ton of good mod ideas that might carry over to the Rivian.

Sounds good. Being able to easily get a customized mod for your vehicle is one of the things I love the most about Rivian.