Sliding screen door for the sliding door!

[weirdstuff]

This is cool. Just found this when looking for screen door options for the big sliding door.

moreheaddesignblab.com Sprinter van sliding screen door - YouTube

You can go to this guy's website. He does a lot of cool conversion stuff. But, on the web site, he doesn't show anything like the screen doors in his video. Kind of weird.

Anyway...husband thinks this is a cool idea too and that we could probably get someone local to make a set for us. I'll look into it and let y'all know if I get anywhere.

We SoCal'ers aren't used to skeeters. I want to keep out as many of those critters as possible when we travel yonder this summer!!

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by weirdstuff

Anyway...husband thinks this is a cool idea too and that we could probably get someone local to make a set for us. I'll look into it and let y'all know if I get anywhere.

We SoCal'ers aren't used to skeeters. I want to keep out as many of those critters as possible when we travel yonder this summer!!

You'll run into a problem with the geometry. First you've got the first step well, that you either have to set the screen door inboard far enough to clear it, or lese leave a gap at the bottom. If you move the whole thing inboard, then the passenger-side second seat and the front end of the black tank are in the way.

A quick and dirty fix in place of a screen door might be a bead curtain. Since it only attaches at the top on a curtain rod, you can attach it easily. Amazon has some attractive ones made of bamboo beads.
Amazon.com - Tropical Sunset Palm Trees Beaded Curtain 125 Strands (+hanging hardware) - Window Treatment Curtains

Insect-repellent properties of the bead curtain can be augmented by spraying the strings of beads with Permethrin from time to time.

It would rattle attrocioisly as you drive, though, unless you tied it back or took it down while en route.

[masseyfarm]

The competition includes a disappearing screen door standard equip.


2014 Free Spirit SS - YouTube

Dave

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by masseyfarm

The competition includes a disappearing screen door standard equip.


2014 Free Spirit SS - YouTube

Dave

Yeah. Their sliding door sill is flat, too, without a step cutout like the Interstate has.

[weirdstuff]

Originally Posted by Protagonist

You'll run into a problem with the geometry. First you've got the first step well, that you either have to set the screen door inboard far enough to clear it, or lese leave a gap at the bottom. If you move the whole thing inboard, then the passenger-side second seat and the front end of the black tank are in the way.

A quick and dirty fix in place of a screen door might be a bead curtain. Since it only attaches at the top on a curtain rod, you can attach it easily. Amazon has some attractive ones made of bamboo beads.
Amazon.com - Tropical Sunset Palm Trees Beaded Curtain 125 Strands (+hanging hardware) - Window Treatment Curtains

Insect-repellent properties of the bead curtain can be augmented by spraying the strings of beads with Permethrin from time to time.

It would rattle attrocioisly as you drive, though, unless you tied it back or took it down while en route.

Yea, I wasn't sure about it fitting either, for those very reasons. Darn.

The bead thing won't happen, but I appreciate your clever thinking.

Originally Posted by masseyfarm

The competition includes a disappearing screen door standard equip.


2014 Free Spirit SS - YouTube

Dave

We looked at the Free Spirit SS before buying our AI. The screen door is very clever, however, it was really flimsy. I figured it wouldn't last very long before it had rips in it.

Dang. My bubble is burst.

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by weirdstuff

Yea, I wasn't sure about it fitting either, for those very reasons. Darn.

The bead thing won't happen, but I appreciate your clever thinking.



We looked at the Free Spirit SS before buying our AI. The screen door is very clever, however, it was really flimsy. I figured it wouldn't last very long before it had rips in it.

Dang. My bubble is burst.

Well, blow another bubble, and be more careful with it! Have you considered a hinged screen door? You would run into a problem that the sliding door will only close with the screen door closed, and only if you close the sliding door from outside. But a hinged door could be an odd shape.

Or, how about a roll-up screen door, mounted above the door opening just high enough that you don't bang your head on it when it's rolled up, and with a solid screen panel to block whatever opening is left between the roll-up section and the top of the door opening? The bottom edge could be trimmed to fit the step cutout, and held in place with a weighted bottom hem (or Velcro, if you want it to stay stuck down).

I've purchased a zippered screen door for the side door of mine, but haven't installed it yet. The way it attaches, there is a wide fabric border around three sides (not at the bottom), and you just pull off the door opening weatherstripping, put the fabric in place, then re-install the weatherstripping over the fabric, and trim the excess fabric after. Problem is, the back edge of the door opening is hard to reach for removing and installing the weatherstripping, and I really don't want to have to dismount the sliding door to do the install. I'm giving serious consideration to getting adhesive Velcro strips for the three sides, and attaching the screen panel that way instead, so I don't have to mess with the weatherstripping. That has the added advantage that, in bug-free areas, I can take the whole screen down and roll it up out of the way.

[aa9zz]

Protag, can you give a link to your screen purchase?

Thanks.

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by aa9zz

Protag, can you give a link to your screen purchase?

Thanks.

Eurocampers:
Sprinter Sliding Door Screen Kit 2001-2014 chassis high roof or standard roof models with 6 cylinder engine New! - no drill version

Given the price, you could undoubtedly make your own for less once you have the idea firmly planted in your fertile mind, but while I'm an engineer, I'm not handy, so I just bought mine instead. In fact, when it comes to handyman projects I'm not all thumbs, I'm all toes!

[Sebtown]

I've been agonizing over the sliding screen door for my 07 interstate and can't come up with a functional design. I have resolved to order the same one as Protagonist. Protag, please install yours soon so I can learn from your wisdom before I commit. It looks expensive for what it is but I can't sew!

[avanti]

The Great West Vans Legend (one of which we just ordered as the successor to our '05 Interstate) pioneered the fixed screen door concept:

http://www.greatwestvans.com/wp-cont...ffee-Maker.jpg

They have been offering it for years. Advanced RV has recently picked up the idea as well. I suspect that in a few more years, it will become standard in the B-van industry.

I bought one of those attachable fabric screens as well. Never used it much. It was difficult to install and a pain to put up and take down. From the description at Eurocamper, though, it looks like the current model may be an improvement over ours.

[Sebtown]

I've seen them and they look fine. Problem is I plan to keep my current B for the duration, if you know what I mean.

[aa9zz]

Maggie had a great idea, and it was very affordable. It was a "shower" type rod that she put in the door opening. We got one and it works great. I suggest you order a wider screen option as the one we have barely fits. I ordered mine on Amazon.

Maggie, can you repost the product and the picture again?

I like my Airstream and don't plan to sell it to buy another for a screen. Her solution was very good as was Protag's.

[weirdstuff]

Yes, Maggie, please post what you've got! THX.

[pebbrb05]

Has anyone successfully installed the As Seen on TV magnetic mesh screen on their Interstate?

[Bikerbill]

We visited Advanced last summer and they were doing a retrofit for Class B then but I think its quite expensive as they have to build and fit the opening each manufacturer has.

I spoke to several staff at the Roadtrek exhibit at last years Hershey PA RV show and their comment was this. They have visited at various RV shows around the country other manufacturers who install the sliding door screen and they have found that by the end of the RV rally all of them have been broken in some way. Whether it was just off the track or broken they felt that for a 4 or 5 day RV show that in itself was a great test-track so they are presently not planning on installing them.

If Roadtrek would only offer the extended body, we'd probably own one of their E-treks instead of our Airstream.

[weirdstuff]

I found this on Amazon. This was, I believe, the Bug-Off Screen that Maggie had mentioned in another thread. Comes in various sizes. It's cheap. Probably worth a try!

Amazon.com: Bug Off Instant Screen, 32-Inch by 80-Inch: Patio, Lawn & Garden

[Lily&Me]

This is exactly what we have, altho not this brand and ours was only $20-$25.

I'll see what I can find to post.

We have used ours many times, and it works great. It does look added-on , but we don't really care.

It looks nice enough, and we're happy with it.


Maggie

[Lily&Me]

This is the first time we used it.

Sorry about the Ipad and upside down.

[Lily&Me]

Close up view, in the driveway

.

[Lily&Me]

Finally found the thread with this info in it.

Ours is from bugoffscrren.com, was $50, not $20-$25, and is 48"x"70".

So, the $38 on the previous post is a good price.

Sorry for the delay and confusion.


Maggie