I have done some searching on this topic and there isn't too much on it. I have camped inside a couple times with my wife and our two welsh corgis. The biggest problem we have is how hot it gets inside. I was wondering if anyone had any new ideas or tips or products that they have used in camping to make the experience more pleasant. More in the area of screens for the windows. I was figuring on making something up using screen and cutting to fit, then fixing them too the van with magnets. Otherwise if anyone found a good way to screen the middle slide windows. Also any other tips and ideas for camping regarding lighting, experiences, or anything else to do with camping would be great to hear about. Thanks all!

 

First of all, welcome to the site where everyone is old and friendly .

Secondly, this is January of one of the coldest winters in recent years. I just do not understand your question about it being too hot, unless you live way down south in Australia, or you and your wife are doing something that generates so much heat between the two of you, in which case I hope you blindfold the dogs!!!!

All kidding aside, I went camping a lot and had the same problem in the summer. I would not recommend doing anything permanent to the van, which is going to make it look so ugly. You have the front windows and the two side windows that can be opened. Open them but put a plastic screen (the same one you put on the backyard screen doors) on the outside of the windows and secure them temporarily with magnets. I know that the hardware stores sell a strip of magnet about 1/2" wide and several feet long. You can use those.

Good luck and have fun.

 

LOL! no, I'm in the middle of winter here as well. This was last year when we camped inside it. Normally we camp in a tent, but sometimes its nice to just pack the van and go and not worry about setting up a tent. Thats the route I was thinking of going, didn't know if anyone else knew of some other ideas is all. I've seen some products where there are circle magnets places every 2 inches, but I still think pesky mosquitoes would get in. I'll definitely try the strips. And about it being hot it there, everyone must follow the international code. Vans a rocking, don't come a knocking. lol!! Thanks!

 

best thing I found for the large long windows are the silver mylar window fold out reflectors. I put hooks on the top and used flat magnets along the bottom for window privacy and insulation.
look for the long windshield reflectors at truck stops. or the Home improvement stores have something similar in rolls, mylar bubble insulation. large round flat washers attached to the plastic with screws for the magnetics to attract to.
rolls up in the daytime for travel.

we tried making curtains out of tent nylon, lot of work and the velcro is messy on plastic.

we had fun camping for a number of years with our Aero. used a queen air mattress, HD, no leaker.

Aero rockin'? may be a bear after his midnite snack of bread and almond butter. up in the mountains above LaPine Ore.

watched several grizzles in Glacier National Park tear apart large logs and rotten big stumps while were out hiking, got a cabin with small windows and a heavy thick door for the rest of the stay.

or 100 mph windstorm on a pitch black night on the Ore. coast and all the electrical power out.

winter camping, why not? we did it in the Aero, -30d F bags and 2 dogs, snow on the ground and coming down thick. Aero lift back makes for good protection cooking and eating out of the snow and rain.
the AWD Aero is one of the best rigs I've driven in snow and ice up to 6>8" deep


nice lookin' machine you got. lots of camping room in an EXT.
nice and cozy.

 

Since it is not a permanent thing, put the screen over the outside of the slider window frame and secure it with duct tape, no bug has the strength to lift duct tape, unless you run into a Saskwatch. When the camping is done, remove the duct tape and clean any residue with thinner. As to lighting, get battery operated lights (as seen on TV), I think ACE hardware has them. The Extended Aerostar has enough length to sleep two adults on a Full size air mattress.

remember that the Aerostar has no provision to open the rear Hatch from inside, you can only lock it/unlock it. you have to use the sliding door to get in and out. The compartment opposite the compartment for the Jack can be filled with ice and some refreshments stored there. you can drill a hole at the bottom of the plastic compartment and then put a rubber plug to drain water. The hole size and plug can be found already in the van itself: once you remove the Rear seat, look in the floor channels where the seat hooks into and you'll see drain plugs from the factory.

If your Extended van has Rear a/c and heater, you could carry an extra battery and connect just the fan to it, how long it will run before draining the battery is another story.

 

My God, Jose! We are going camping, not to a 5-star resort!

 

Copper do you mean no Champagne in the ice compartment?, no feather satin pillows or comforter? no Opera lights? no mosquito net?

for me, Camping is getting ready to go to sleep comfortably under a Harvest Moon!

 

haven't been "camping" until ya have spent a night with a hot woman in a large sleeping bag on top of a queen air mattress in the back of an Aero.

get the cheap wine, have to drink enough so ya don't feel the mosquito bites

It's the coil spring soft suspension that does it.

 

if the mosquitos don't kill ya, the wine will!

 

The Aerostar movie complex.


The Aerostar pancake house.


Aerostar summer camp.

 

Not bad at all. Good work. However, I personally would set up my tables and chairs outdoors. Looks like you have a nice setup. EB editions are great for camping.

 

Rojostar wins hands down with that camping setup. That looks like something the Sheik of Araby would envy. Only thing missing is a few camels. One question: why are you camping in the middle of a road? Silly me, it must be the Silk Road.

 

I'm seeing large rocks behind the camp spot and then a lake behind that.

But those rocks could be where the bears roast the campers before bear dinner

rojo has a nice setup and he has the most important part, a nice woman to snuggle up to at night when the campfire goes out.

 

I've used my aerostar for winter camping. Works great, especially if rain or snow sets in. Plus if its bitter cold out you can start it a few times an evening and use the front and rear heater to get it real toasty inside. Summer time, I'd probably opt for a tent in the shade with netting. But still use the van to keep all the supplies spread out so it can be accessed conveniently and yet still protected from rain, animals and insects.

They sell a pop up top at this site, but IMO cutting a big hole in the roof would weaken it too much for my tastes.

Pop Top Canvas

 

dup post - delete