Siver insulation screens: inside or outside?

Do members have opinions regarding whether insulation is better inside or outside? My immediate view is that it would be more effective not to let the cold hit the glass, but perhaps it might be vulnerable to high winds? Ideas please. I have a Ravenna. Thanks in advance!

Outside ones every time. Having had the inside ones I can confirm that during colder weather you will get a vast amount of condensation which will need clearing before you can move the van. The only advantage inside ones have is if you prefer wild camping and feel the need to drive off if feeling vulnerable without having to go outside.

My used van came with inside screens. There is a fair amount of condensation on chilly mornings but I still like staying in the van. If most of your camping is on sites rather than 'wild' then I agree outside screen are probably better.
Regards
Fred

I am now considering investing in an outside screen having experienced some condensation over the last few days - does anyone have any particular recommendations of supplier/type for a Mercedes?
Liam

Silver screens highly recommended, come in their own waterproof bag, so no dripping screens in the van, stow away easily as well, mine are anchored with Velcro round the wing mirrors so do not blow off fit tightly. has a front panel that can be rolled down to let light in without taking off the screen.

We too bought silver screens.  They make them in various shapes and sizes to fit your van exactly...You need to give the Reg no, year,  and chassis no. to ensure you get exactly the right ones.  The company is staffed by extremely helpful people! 

Also, as shown in the second picture on this link, you can fit them inside if you are wild camping and don't want to have to get out of the van to remove them in an emergency...however, in that case, you'd have to put up with the condensation!

We find them an excellemt shield against the heat of the sun, too, and we epecially like the fold-down middle section.

After trying them I actually phoned the firm to ask if we had made a mistake in not buying the extra mesh section that can be bought separately, for the middle, bearing in mind the fact that we live in windy Wales!

Rather than trying to push a sale, the gentleman assured me that the fit on our 'Tranny' cab was so good that we would be wasting our money.

The screens stay put even in a gale, held in place by the cab doors, the wipers, and the velcro tabs around the mirrors.  There are also sewn in tabs to which you can add additional ties (we use long shoe laces) to secure to the door handles in really severe weather. 
We can give them top marks!   

http://www.silverscreens.co.uk/

I bought TaylorMade external covers for my 'van, on the basis that for a Talbot Express the availability of fitted covers was pretty scarce! Having said that, the covers are an excellent fit with Velcro joins and ties which go under the wing mirrors on my Talisman. I would highly recommend TaylorMade covers, they provided excellent, quick service when I bought them last year and I am really pleased with the covers which also come with a drawstring bag to prevent wet covers damaging the upholstery inside.

Their website is https://www.taylormade-covers.co.uk/index.html

Having previously used internal screens on one of our first 'vans, then changing to external for both subsequent 'vans, I can definitely agree with all the foregoing points about the benefits of external (which as was said have the option to fit inside on occasion if necessary, although not as effective) in both cold and hot environments. 

Our current set are Silver Screens and have lasted us for over 10 years.  They are fitted 24/7 in colder weather when the van is parked on the drive, as well as when in 'normal' camping use. They have withstood lashing rain, gales, sub-zero temperatures and heavy snow cover in Scotland, as well as scorching hot weather and blazing sunshine in the south of France.  


I keep wishing they'd wear out so I could buy the later version with the fold down option, but they are almost as good as new so I can't bear to dispose of them.

You would surely need someone who had tried all of them!..I can only speak for the silver screens which we have... a wipe dry, a waterproof storage bag. brilliant insulation... and storage pretty small...windscreen depth x 7" x 3" ?

We have Silver Screens and also internal thermal screens. Both great in summer to keep the van cool and warm in winter. You get a lot of condensation on the inside screens as the weather gets colder.
To combat that, we have one of these.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kärcher-WV60-Window-Vac-Cleaning/dp/B009PN0WCO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1415052989&sr=8-1&keywords=karcher+window+vac

Just been through the process for our Stanton and have ended up with Silverscreens which are a perfect fit.

As to condensation, Silverscreens stated on the telephone that they guaranteed no condensation only if the internal blinds are not employed whilst the external screens are in use. Something about needing to keep the glass at the internal temperature.

Paulmold wrote:Outside ones every time. Having had the inside ones I can confirm that during colder weather you will get a vast amount of condensation which will need clearing before you can move the van. The only advantage inside ones have is if you prefer wild camping and feel the need to drive off if feeling vulnerable without having to go outside.

I've been mulling the idea of screens over and the two points you've made are exactly my own thoughts too.

I would imagine that external screens are overall the best, for insulation and lack of condensation, but I'd prefer to have and use an internal screen if wilding, for the reason above.

Food for thought. 

I have the external screen that covers the wipers so you don't get water running down into the engine.

We used internal screens, that came with the van, for a couple of years before purchasing external silver screens, got a lot of condensation with the internals even with both side windows on the middle catch slot.
Externals absolutely no condensation at all even with frosty temperatures outside.
We haven't wild camped since having children but would either fit the externals inside with use of the sun visors, just use the front curtains or even just a blanket lash-up if you don't have the curtains.

I bought the slightly longer externals that cover half the bonnet, keeps the rain out of the engine bay, but does result in dirt streaks on the exposed area of bonnet although these are fairly easy to clean off.

We have had both types and for the best insulation and freedom from condensation it has to be the external type. Ours were Taylormade and were excellent.

One point not mentioned above and that is if it is very cold, you will get condensation / freezing on the windscreen when you first take the external covers off. This can be avoided if you run the engine up to temperature before removing the screens, or, if you have an electrically heated screen, using that to pre-heat the glass.

Never had that happen but have only camped at -5 degrees so maybe that isn't cold enough for it to happen. (Mine are SilverScreen Paragon)

I have 5 year old Taylor made long version external screens fitted to the Sigma, I have used them on my last 2 vans , they are getting abit weather beaten because I have them on all year round when parked up in front of the property.
I have a new set of standard size Taylor made screens I take with me on trips.
No condensation on the inside cab area.
Boaby

Liam wrote:I am now considering investing in an outside screen having experienced some condensation over the last few days - does anyone have any particular recommendations of supplier/type for a Mercedes?
Liam

Having looked at all of the very helpful comments from the forum, I decided to go down the Silver Screens route. Placed the order yesterday and it was delivered today - fits perfectly.  Excellent help and service from the company and hopefully no more condensation! 
Liam

burlingtonboaby wrote:I have 5 year old Taylor made long version external screens fitted to the Sigma, I have used them on my last 2 vans , they are getting abit weather beaten because I have them on all year round when parked up in front of the property.
I have a new set of standard size Taylor made screens I take with me on trips.
No condensation on the inside cab area.
Boaby

Since I discovered a mouse had made it's nest in the middle of my van cover and destroyed it, I'm thinking of buying the long version of the Taylor made screen to use while the van is parked on my drive. Is there any reason why the long version can't be used on trips? Is it bulky or harder to fit? Does it stay in place ok even though the wipers must lift it off the screen a bit?

mikethebike wrote:Hi Will be buying an outside set this January ,unless a second hand set comes up.
Have seen the Taylormade price but Silverscreens are  very coy about the price.
Are they less than 200 GBP?

regards

Mike

Hi Mike,

I think mine were about £139 that was two years ago though, shouldn`t think they have gone up that much.
Regards,
Margaret



mine are Silver Screens

mikethebike wrote:Hi Will be buying an outside set this January ,unless a second hand set comes up.
Have seen the Taylormade price but Silverscreens are  very coy about the price.
Are they less than 200 GBP?

regards

Mike

Yes Mike, is the short answer - about £21 less than (at least for my Merc - which they said had one of the biggest windscreens). The price also includes P&P and a waterproof stowage bag! They were very happy to quote me a price over the phone before I committed to placing the order. 
A thought - if you are not buying before Jan next year perhaps it might be worth waiting until the NEC CCC show in early Feb when there are likely to be some deals on offer?
Regards,
Liam