alexw Posted August 17, 2015 Report Posted August 17, 2015 Happy Monday everyone, I am planning to take a few days off while summary is still here and do some much needed fishing. I will tow the boat and fish during the day and sleep in the SUV at night. In order to make the SUV more comfortable to sleep in, I am thinking about installing window visors to bring fresh air in and keep the rain out. However, none of the visors on the market comes with bug screen. I am sure some of the OFC members here have done this before, how do you keep the bugs out while leaving the window open? If you know of a product I can order online or a DIY solution, that would be great. Also, I am curious where people park their vehicle and sleep when they do this type of fishing. Safety is my main concern. Thanks and happy fishing!
BillM Posted August 17, 2015 Report Posted August 17, 2015 (edited) Get some screening for a screen door and some painters tape. Tape it over the windows and you can open them as much as you want without having to worry about getting eaten alive. Painters tape also won't ruin the paint on the vehicle. Edited August 17, 2015 by BillM
alexw Posted August 17, 2015 Author Report Posted August 17, 2015 Thanks Bill. That will work and save me $$ as well!
DanD Posted August 17, 2015 Report Posted August 17, 2015 Get yourself a couple of computer cooling fans. They're cheap, run on 12VDC and can be wired to be plugged into a power accessory outlet or cig lighter. They draw very little amperage and can be left on for hours without draining the vehicles battery. Those little fans kick out a decent breeze and help keep you cool during the night. Between the screens that Bill suggested and a fan or two; it'll be like sleeping at the plaza hotel. Dan.
alexw Posted August 18, 2015 Author Report Posted August 18, 2015 Thanks Dan. A fan would be really nice, as long as it does not drain my the battery and I can start the car next morning...
musky666 Posted August 18, 2015 Report Posted August 18, 2015 Dunno where you will be heading, but I see round side parking areas on Hwy 17 east of North bay- could park overnight there, or maybe those little picnic areas with washrooms?
DRIFTER_016 Posted August 18, 2015 Report Posted August 18, 2015 Dunno where you will be heading, but I see round side parking areas on Hwy 17 east of North bay- could park overnight there, or maybe those little picnic areas with washrooms? When I'm travelling I will park where ever. Usually a rest area but have been known to just park on the street or in a gas station parking lot if needed.
Old Ironmaker Posted August 18, 2015 Report Posted August 18, 2015 Are there Bear proof screens? Your nuts man. Nuts in a good way.
DRIFTER_016 Posted August 18, 2015 Report Posted August 18, 2015 Are there Bear proof screens? Your nuts man. Nuts in a good way. PFFFFFT!!! Bears!!!! Had bears sniffing @ my tent in Alaska. My buddy had a grizz pushing in on the side of his tent once. He punched it in the face because the muzzle flash from the 44 magnum would not be healthy for the tents nylon!!! Cars are much more bear proof than nylon!!!!!
alexw Posted August 18, 2015 Author Report Posted August 18, 2015 I do have a bear-phobia, but I definitely feel safer in a car than in a tent. This year, I will probably stay close to the lakes with provincial parks near Toronto, and may venture further north once I am more comfortable with it.
DRIFTER_016 Posted August 18, 2015 Report Posted August 18, 2015 No need to be afraid of bears. You're much more likely to be attacked by a crack head!!!!
alexw Posted August 18, 2015 Author Report Posted August 18, 2015 Yes crack heads are actually my original safety concern , not bears...
DRIFTER_016 Posted August 18, 2015 Report Posted August 18, 2015 (edited) Yes crack heads are actually my original safety concern , not bears... They are much more unpredictable!!! Edited August 18, 2015 by DRIFTER_016
lookinforwalleye Posted August 18, 2015 Report Posted August 18, 2015 Is there a lot of crackheads were you plan to fish.....
DRIFTER_016 Posted August 18, 2015 Report Posted August 18, 2015 Is there a lot of crackheads were you plan to fish..... They're everywhere!!!!
Bondar Posted August 18, 2015 Report Posted August 18, 2015 Could use some screen and magnets as well
Canuck2fan Posted August 18, 2015 Report Posted August 18, 2015 Could use some screen and magnets as well Awesome idea!!! You could buy a set of those patio down screens with the snap closed magnets and a couple rolls of flexible magnetic tape. A set of those screens should be enough to do all 4 windows in most vehicles. A surplus type store would sell both of those and the computer fans with all the electrical connections to wire them into the power outlet as suggested, for way less than the cheapest window visors.
DanD Posted August 18, 2015 Report Posted August 18, 2015 Thanks Dan. A fan would be really nice, as long as it does not drain my the battery and I can start the car next morning... Most of those fans draw less then a 1/4 amp; that would be equivalent to lets say a single glove box light bulb. If your battery cannot handle 5 or 6 hours of that; then it's time for a new one. If you're still concerned, you could pick up a booster pack and use it as your power source for the fan and any lighting you may want? Dan.
alexw Posted August 18, 2015 Author Report Posted August 18, 2015 I will see if I could find those magnets from some stores. Also I will get a booster pack just in case. Luckily my vehicle comes with an AC outlet, so no need to do the wiring for the fan. That said, I think I am good to go. Thanks everybody for your help! This is an excellent forum with many great members like you, who are always willing to help. So thanks again and see you on the water!
bow slayer Posted August 18, 2015 Report Posted August 18, 2015 we use to plastercine or the sticky stuff to put up pictures or posters,both worked good. We also sprayed the mesh heavily with deep woods off. Another option is to buy a good thermacell that will keep the vehicle free of bugs.
alexw Posted August 18, 2015 Author Report Posted August 18, 2015 we use to plastercine or the sticky stuff to put up pictures or posters,both worked good. We also sprayed the mesh heavily with deep woods off. Another option is to buy a good thermacell that will keep the vehicle free of bugs. Good point, a thermacell or a mini mosquito trapper / killer is probably needed inside the vehicle, as those mosquitoes are known to get in the vehicle and play hide and seek...
alexw Posted August 19, 2015 Author Report Posted August 19, 2015 Thanks to all your input, here is the final solution with screen and magnetic tape. Good thing is the actual glass window inside can move freely up and down, depending on how wide I want it open.
davew3 Posted August 19, 2015 Report Posted August 19, 2015 At clearance store in Hamilton I found battery powered fans. about 5 inches. Runs off of 2 "c" batteries. puts out a good breeze. I use them in my trailer when the wind is down. Really not sure how long they would last if run continuously.
alexw Posted August 19, 2015 Author Report Posted August 19, 2015 (edited) I found a mini AC fan that I bought long time ago, which says "120V, 0.2A", so I guess it is equivalent to a 25w bulb, not sure how long my car battery can last if I let the fan run continuously, but worst scenario, I still have a booster pack as Dan suggested. So no worries there. Edited August 19, 2015 by alexw
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