Do Rain Guards Actually Work? (3 RV Window Rain Guards)
Rainy days and Monday mornings can get you down but with a top-quality rain guard, you can still enjoy fresh air when the rain comes. The trick is to not open the window all the way. Another key is to make sure the rain guards go in the right direction so that they actually do some good.
Do rain guards actually work? Yes, rain guards can work well if you do not open the window too far. Rain guards are designed to handle small openings so you get fresh air without getting wet. Just watch where and how you attach them as some windows may not work if you screw the rain guards into place.
To learn more about rain guards and how they work, just continue to read our article. It has the information you need to know about if you want fresh air without moisture. Take a few minutes to see if this information helps you solve your open window issue.
RV Window Rain Guards 101
Do Rain Guards Actually Work?
Yes, rain guards actually do work. Once you place these little plastic pieces in the right spot, you should see some improvement. There are a lot more benefits that come with using rain guards than just letting you open the window while it is raining.
One benefit is that these little items will deflect the wind keeping it from entering your car when you drive with the windows open. This reduction of airflow into the cabin of your vehicle also reduces any wind drag that would lower your fuel economy.
Another benefit you can get is that your window components last longer. These rain guards also keep harmful elements from reaching your window. The dirt and grime that would normally arrive are blocked and do not get inside the little strip where your window goes up and down.
By keeping that area clean your window motor doesn’t work as hard and doesn't wear out faster. Also, the rain guards can protect against theft as thieves rarely spot open windows when their openings are covered by rain guards.
Are Rain Guards Worth It?
You might be paying more for RV rain guards than you would for normal vehicle options, but in the long run, you should recoup your money. Part of that effort would be seen through the increased fuel economy.
Plus, when you cannot find a little shade when parking, you can safely leave your windows cracked to let the hot air out. This will save you on wear and tear of interior items like seats, steering wheels, and burning your hand.
Then, going down the road, cars and other RVs, trucks and other vehicles kick up a lot of dirt. That dirt can make its way into your window grooves and clog up the system. When those get clogged, your power motors have to work harder. This will wear them out and give you a costly repair bill.
Finally, you get to drive with your window open and save on using your air conditioner. These rain guards or wind deflectors will redirect the wind so that it doesn't get inside and slow your vehicle down or make it work harder.
Without these guards, you could pay more in fuel costs because, one, you are using your AC unit more often or two, lots of wind drag when driving with the windows open.
Are Rain Guards Removable?
Yes, rain guards are very removable and how tough it will get to remove them will depend on several factors. How long they have been on your vehicle and how were they attached are just two examples that influence the ease of removal.
If the wind deflectors or rain guards were put on with screws, then those should be easy to take off. All you need is a good screwdriver and the screws are out. Unless the screws rusted and then you may need some help from one of the many lubricant products made for that situation.
If the wind deflectors were put on with adhesive tape then you may have a little more difficulty in removing them. The adhesive tape could really adhere to your vehicle and it would take using a scraper to get all of the tape off.
Eventually, they will all come off and you can either replace them with new ones or drive without them. It would take about an hour or two at best to remove those rain guards.
RV Window Rain Guards Options
There are a few rain guard options you can try. Not all are made for RV sliding windows and you may have to work with the limited design to get a little protection. The problem is finding them as sometimes they are listed under the terms rain guards and sometimes they are listed as wind deflectors.
Or they may be called car vent shades as they are at Amazon. That would be your first stop if you do not want to spend a lot of money on these little plastic pieces. To see the options at Amazon or search the site, click here.
Walmart has some in stock and you can save even more by shopping at their online outlet or stores. They seem to have quite a few different styles and to see them just click here.
An expensive option comes from this RV parts store and you may see similar prices at different RV accessory outlets. Expect to pay more at these stores but their products are designed for RVs.
Finally, there is e-trailer that provides a variety of parts for RVs including rain guards. The prices at this store are reasonable compared to the last outlet but more expensive than Amazon or Walmart.
Runaway Camper Rain Guards
This is a possibility but there may be some hurdles to overcome before you find the right fit. For example, there doesn't seem to be a rain guard made specifically for a runaway camper.
That means you may have to improvise a little bit. One owner decided to go with sunroof visors. The next hurdle was that his runaway camper’s windows were only 31 inches long. The smallest sunroof visor he could get was 35 inches long.
The width of the sunroof visor was about 5 inches and that is okay as you need to keep some airflow going into those campers or you have a hard time breathing. When attaching the visor guard, you need to get a good seal. That means placing it up on the wall of the camper and not the window frame.
You may find that adding three screws will make the attachment more secure. Just be careful when drilling pilot holes for the screws. You do not want to crack the plastic.
RV Window 3M Rain Guards
Most rain guards will come with some sort of double-sided tape attached to them. Usually, 3M is the manufacturer of this tape but not always. It is a standard part for most of the rain guards you can buy.
The application is easy. All you have to do is clean the area above the window and then dry it well. next, you take off the protective strip and carefully attach the rain guard to your vehicle.
When you buy a rain guard, you should know that the adhesive is automotive grade already. You should not need to add any more adhesive to get it to stick. What you can do, if you want extra protection against leaks, is to put a bead of silicone on the top edge of the rain guard.
This will help the seal and keep the rain out but it probably does nothing to help the adhesive stick better. The 3M adhesive should hold on well as long as you have cleaned the area very thoroughly.
Most likely, you won’t find any rain guards with the 3M brand name on the package.
How Much Does It Cost To Have Rain Guards Installed?
We would like to give you a flat figure to base your budget on but that is not going to be possible. Every dealer, if they offer this service, will have their own labor charges. For cars, it is not that expensive as it only takes no more than an hour to get all the windows protected.
RVs and travel trailers may be different though and since many RV accessory stores boost their prices for RV accessories, expect to pay more for the installation of rain guards.
The process to install these items is very simple and if you want to save money you should consider installing them yourselves. The only thing you have to watch out for is to make sure the metal is nice and clean and that you attach the rain guards straight.
But if you are not able to install them yourself, talk to the people who sell these items and see how much they will charge. It should not be a lot of money if you find the right company to deal with.
Can You Install Rain Guards Yourself?
As we said in the previous section, this is not a complicated task to do. Installation of these rain guards is straightforward. The key is to make sure you do not remove the protective strip until right before you are going to put the rain guards on your RV or vehicle.
The first step is to clean the area above the windows where the rain guard is going to go. Make sure to get all the dirt and grime off. the next step is to either let it dry or dry it yourself. This will depend on how much time you have.
After the metal is dry place the rain guard on the metal in the exact spot you want it to be located. make sure it is straight and level. Once that is done, make a mark on both sides so you can easily place the rain guard once the tape is removed.
When the marking is done, remove the tape and place the rain guard on the spot it is supposed to go. You may have to hold it in place for a few minutes to let the tape adhere properly.
Installing Camper Window Visors
This is not hard to do either and if you get the tape option, the process is the same as described in the previous section. One thing we left out was when you handle the visors you should use a cloth or gloves. This will prevent smudges from taking place while you install the deflectors or rain guards.
Installing in-channel window deflectors will be a bit more difficult and a little more work. The key will be to follow the instructions on the package. Before you start, though, you need to double-check to make sure you got a complete set of left and right handguards or visors.
If you are working with the adhesive tape model, all it will take is a little time to get the job done. Make sure to measure correctly so that you get the right size. It is okay to go a little longer but it is never okay to be a bit shorter.
Then make sure to apply the right amount of pressure as pressing too hard can crack the plastic. You do not want to press too light either as then the tape may not adhere properly.
Some Final Words
Rain guards are a very good, safe, and reliable product to use. They offer more benefits than you realize. However, their cost may be a bit more expensive than you like. Do not be afraid to shop around to find the best deal.
Also, consider installing them yourself. the job is not hard to do and you can save a little more money when you do this.
