Thank you for your extensive review! (I'm a noob and was hoping that the original text would not be quoted but it seems to have been, my apologies). I have a couple of questions:
• I know that the Shields cannot be rolled up and down. However, once they are in place, is it possible to roll the windows up and down without damaging the shiels?
• Is there any flexibility at all? I was wondering about allowing for some air flow by lowering the windows before putting them in place. From everything I've read about them they are quite rigid, so I'm I'm hoping that at least there's the possibility to pull them a little bit out of the window frame to allow air in (and I do realize that that would prevent the shiels from offering complete coverage)?
• Are you happy with the bit of light that comes in, as I'm seeing in the photos? Or can they be tweaked to allow better coverage?
I had made a couple of window covers from poster board and gaffer tape around the edges. I've left them permanently in the tiny windows in the back, and just recently reassessing them I was rather shocked to see although it looked like there was just a sliver of light coming in, when one goes outside and puts an eyeball to the window, one can literally see EVERYTHING inside if it's if there's an interior light on! I can add more tape in my case.
However, I'm a little apprehensive now about pushing the "pay now button" if I'm spending a lot more and not getting 100% privacy - unless I need add tape to the WT window Shields! It would suck to have to do that after the cost, but I like that they are black on one side and silver on the other, and that they would provide better insulation than my paper signboard!
You're welcome. Glad to help another forum member.
Yes, when it's hot and sunny (and the cruiser parked) I'll have the shades in and roll the windows down 1" to halfway. They stay in place unless it's very windy. If the window is all the way down, the shades are likely to fall out.
There is some flexibility, but not a lot. You can't put them in the window and then pull down the top... that'll for a crease that might not come out. But, you can use something like a rag/sock to prop open one corner to allow more air to pass.
The little bit of light that enters has not bothered me. However, I've not camped in it yet. When I go on long road trips with iced coolers, I'll have them on the windows (black side facing out) to keep the sun from heating up the coolers. Sometimes my wife will sit in the 2nd row next to our son. She'll have the shade up to keep it cool on her side. If I was camping, the only concern I would have would be the 3rd row shades. They tend to come out easily. They'll need to be propped in the right way to give it enough tension to stay next to the window. My hunch is they would keep out enough light for someone to camp in the cruiser if they wanted to have more darkness.... I camped in my 4Runnter above 12k' under a full moon.... it's like the bathroom light was on all night.
I have dash cams in the front, rear, and the 3rd row sides. The side dash cams tend to pop out the shades. So I use something to keep them pushed against the window.
On my long road trips, I put the shades in all the windows to keep curious eyes out of our cruiser. My theory is to not tempt others if there's no need to.
I hear you about the light concern and the possible holes for people to peer in. If you take care of them and take the time to put them up correctly, it should cover enough so no one can peer in. I take out our 3rd row when on long road trips. It makes it easier to store things out of sight of any potential holes around the shades.
One big plus about these shades is that the 2nd and 3rd row shades, and the rear shade can be used while driving. The rear shade can be turned around to use the black side facing out. The 2nd and 3rd rows are simply switched from one side to the other, and using the black side facing out. It's legal as you still have your side mirrors. I've not had any LEO pull me over. However, in Clarendon TX a LEO followed me all the way through town and turned around the moment I exited the city limits. I had the 2nd and 3rd row shades up, and the rear (black sides facing out for all).
Another trick is sometimes I'll use the black sides for all the shades at hotels. This gives the appearance of privacy and as if nothing is inside, because from a general perspective you can't tell there are shades in the windows. This is what I do if the only spot I can find to park is in an unlit area. Using all the silver sides at a hotel might give the idea there is someone inside, or something valuable.
