Two Ways to Install the Vanketo Blackout Curtains – An Instructional Manual

Curtains are an essential for any van interior. But if you don’t have any sewing skills, they can be a difficult and frustrating part of your van build. Forget about the hours of YouTube tutorials and finding a sewing machine to lend for a while. Vanketo has designed the ideal blockout and magnetic van curtains to be easily fitted to most small vans, without any extensive DIY skills.

If you’ve been worried about how to make your home on wheels more private, these magnetic curtains are made for the side and rear windows and behind the driver. This instruction manual details the multiple ways that you can easily install Vanketo’s magnetic curtains, so you can get on the road as soon as possible.

Why You Need Vanketo’s Blockout Van Curtains For Your Van

Just like in a house, a home on wheels also needs some window coverings for increased privacy and blocking light out at night. However, the idea of making your own curtains can be extremely daunting, especially if you don’t possess any extensive sewing skills or access to a sewing machine.

Vanketo’s magnetic curtains are designed by vanlifers just like you for quick installation so you can get your home on wheels on the road sooner rather than later. Made with 100% block out material in a neutral beige colour, the curtains come in a set for rear and side windows as well as behind the front driver’s cabin.

They’ve been designed for smaller vans, so you can keep light out while camping and regulate the temperature inside throughout every season. Easy to install and quick to roll up and slide across in the morning when you wake, it takes the stress of making your own curtains out of your van build.

What You Get With Vanketo’s Blockout Curtains

• Rear, side and behind-the-driver beige curtains
• Made with high-quality 100% block out material to keep light out and increase privacy
• Side and rear curtains can be rolled up and secured with included leather strap
• Curtains are already fitted with internal magnets around the sides and bottom to stick to the window frame
• The rear and side curtains also have a wooden rod secured in the bottom, so they’re easier to roll up
• The curtain behind the front cabin opens to the side when not needed

What You Need For Installing Vanketo’s Van Curtains

• Curtain wire or curtain rod (depends on your preference for installation, further explanation below)
• Mounting hooks for securing curtain rod OR screw hooks and eyes for securing curtain wire
• Wire cutters (if using curtain wire)
• Drill (for pre-drilling holes for screw eyes or mounting hooks)

Option 1: How to Hang the Blockout Van Curtains With a Curtain Rod

One of the common ways of installing van curtains is with a curtain rod. If this is your preferred option, then here’s a step by step procedure.

Step 1: Measure and purchase the curtain rods

Measure the curtains and your windows across the top of the glass so you know how long your curtain rods need to be. You will want to make sure the rod extends a little beyond the window so the curtains can completely cover the glass. You can purchase different lengths of curtain rods from either a hardware store like Bunnings or craft store like Spotlight. Some curtain rods also come with hooks or fixtures, otherwise you can also purchase them separately.

Tip: There are several types of curtain rods; wood, brass, steel etc. Whichever one you get is up to you, although wood may be the most cost effective and lighter option.

Step 2: Mount the hooks

Screw a hook or fixture at either end of the window above the glass for the curtain rod to sit in place. You may need to pre-drill a couple of small holes first. For the curtain behind the driver’s seat, you can secure the hooks at either side of the van to cover the whole cabin. Plus, you may want additional hooks in the middle for securing the rod in place.

Tip: You can either screw the hooks or fixtures into your van wall, or if you have lined your van with timber or other smooth material, you can also try using strong adhesive hooks if you prefer not to drill any holes into your walls.

Step 3: Thread the curtains onto the curtain rod

Thread each of the curtains onto their appropriate curtain rod and spread them across evenly so they sit neatly, covering almost the length of the rod.

Step 4: Hang the curtains on the hooks

Hang the curtains above the windows on the hooks and use the internal magnets around the curtains to secure them to the window frame. The curtains should cover the entire window to keep all the light out and block any view inside your van.

Step 5: Roll the curtains up/slide the curtains across when not in use

When not in use, you can roll the side and rear curtains up towards the top of the curtain rod and secure in place with the included leather straps. The curtain behind the driver’s seat slides across, so you can then still see out the rear vision mirror. 

Option 2: How to Install the Blockout Van Curtains With Curtain Wire

Another option is to hang the magnetic curtains with a curtain wire. This can help the curtains hang more flush with the windows and prevent even more light from creeping in. Here’s a step by step procedure for using curtain wire.

Step 1: Measure and purchase the curtain wire

Measure the curtains and your windows across the top of the glass so you know how much curtain wire you’ll need (it generally comes in 5m, 10m, and 15m rolls). You will want to make sure the wire extends just beyond the window so the curtains can completely cover the glass. You can purchase curtain wire from a craft store, like Spotlight. Most curtain wire packs also come with hooks and eyes for fixing to the wall, otherwise you can also purchase them separately.

Tip: There are a couple of different curtain wires available; white plastic stretch wire or stainless steel. Whichever one you get is up to you, although the white stretch wire is the cheaper option.

Step 2: Cut the curtain wire to right length

You’ll then need to cut the curtain wire to the right lengths that you need for different windows. Using wire cutters is the most efficient way of doing this.

Step 3: Mount the screw eyes above the window

Mount the screw eyes above the window at the correct distance apart, so the curtains will stretch across the whole width of the glass. You may need to pre-drill a couple of small holes first.

Step 4: Screw the hooks into the end of curtain wire

Screw the hooks into either ends of the wire for each curtain for mounting purposes.

Step 5: Thread the curtains onto the wire

Thread the curtain wire through the top loop of each of the curtains. The hooks should poke out the ends of the curtains for easy hanging in the next step.

Step 6: Hang the curtains onto the screw eyes

Hang the hooks at either end of the curtains onto the screw eyes which are secured onto the wall of your van above the windows. The curtains should sit flush against the window and cover the entire glass panel. Use the magnets in the sides and bottom of the curtains to secure the fabric against the window frame and to help block all the light out.

Tip: If you notice the curtains are sagging a little in the middle (curtain wire is more flexible than a curtain rod), especially on the side windows and behind the driver’s seat, you can add a little screw hook in the middle for the curtain wire to have additional support in the centre.

Step 7: Roll the curtains/slide the curtains when not in use

When not in use, you can roll the side and rear curtains up towards the top of the window and secure in place with the included leather straps. The curtain behind the driver’s seat slides across, so you can then still see out the rear vision mirror. 

We hope our curtains save you the time and effort of making your own from scratch. We want to get you on the road as quickly as possible, living the vanlife around this beautiful country with a cosy and private home on wheels.

Let us know if you need any help, we’re always open to assisting other vanlifers with their purchases!