Install Curtains in a Camper Shell
A camper shell fits snugly on the top of a pickup truck's bed. It provides cover when you are transporting things and can be a comfortable sleeping area when fitted with a piece of foam for a mattress and sleeping bags. Curtains provide privacy when you are camping. This simple method creates curtains that can be opened to let in light and air, closed when you are sleeping, and moved out of the way when the truck is loaded.
Instructions
1. Measure the width and length of the windows on which you want to install curtains. Add the width measurements together and double that number.
2. Purchase a length of fabric equal to this doubled measurement. If you buy 60-wide fabric, you can cut it in half lengthwise, in which case you do not need to double the amount of fabric you purchase.
3. Cut the fabric so that you have one piece for each window. Cut those pieces in half in the center to make two curtains for each window.
4. Iron a narrow hem on the short sides of each curtain. Sew the hems closed.
5. Create a channel at the tops and bottoms of the curtains. Make a narrow fold along the unfinished edge. Iron it and then make a deeper 1 1/2 inch fold in the same direction. Iron it and then sew it closed along the narrow fold.
6. String a bungee cord through the channel at the top of one set of curtains and then string a bungee cord through the channel on the bottom. Repeat for each set of curtains.
7. Install screw hooks or cup hooks 1 away from each corner of each window you're covering with a curtain. The screw hooks should be just large enough to hold the end of the bungee cords.
8. Place acorn nuts on the ends of the screw hooks if they protrude from the outside of the camper shell.
9. Slide the ends of the bungee cords with the curtains on them over the hooks on the top and the bottom of the windows.
Tips Warnings
Use heavy-duty fabric that can stand rough handling if you use your truck bed for transporting. Make sure the finished sides of the channel are all on the same side of the curtain. Buy pre-made curtains if you don't want to make your own.
Tags: install, curtains, camper, shell, each window, screw hooks, bungee cord, bungee cord through, bungee cord through channel, bungee cords, Camper Shell
