I pulled a divider curtain from the u-pull yard. It is light weight nylon (wind breaker) material. The snaps were screwed into the plastic B-pillar trim and headliner. All but 2 or 3 snaps are still good. The one that screwed in had the screw pulled through the base and the 1-2 in the fabric had bad rivets. Use good quality snaps and do not make the fabric to tight.

 

The snaps I used had a plain hole in the middle where that screw is in that picture. Just use a small threaded bolt with a nut and washer on the back to help make the connection stronger if your worried about breaking.

 

The snaps I used had a plain hole in the middle where that screw is in that picture. Just use a small threaded bolt with a nut and washer on the back to help make the connection stronger if your worried about breaking.

Thank you sir. That's a great idea. I'll post pics when done.

 

Those plastic trim parts, at least in my van, are incredibly tough. I think they're glass filled or something. Drilling holes produces glass like "fibers". I've got some self tapping screws in the stuff that have been holding light loads for years. I would have no reservations mounting nearly anything using a nut and bolt through the plastic.

Lump

 

Those plastic trim parts, at least in my van, are incredibly tough. I think they're glass filled or something. Drilling holes produces glass like "fibers". I've got some self tapping screws in the stuff that have been holding light loads for years. I would have no reservations mounting nearly anything using a nut and bolt through the plastic.

Lump

Lump, so do you thinks it's overkill to bolt the snaps? Am now thinking start with self tapping, and replace with bolts if needed. Thanks.

 

Its worth a shot. If it pulls out, just use a nut and bolt with a big enough washer to cover up your hole.

 

Yep, but they probably won't pull out. Another option is to use snap-tape and the guides, but that might be more than you want to spend. But it would prevent you from having to pull on them when you want them opened.

 

Yep, but they probably won't pull out. Another option is to use snap-tape and the guides, but that might be more than you want to spend. But it would prevent you from having to pull on them when you want them opened.

Thanks for the tip. I've never seen that track system before. Gonna move forward with the self tapping screws in the male snap. Realized it's much cheaper to buy a decent set of blackout drapes, cut them down to size and beg the wife to hem the edges. One panel ripped will cover both sides and the second panel can be cut to fit the rear window. Ordering it all today. Now I just need to locate my van under the snow, it's around here somewhere.

 

You could pop rivet the snaps instead of screws.

 

Lump, so do you thinks it's overkill to bolt the snaps?...

I would use bolt/nut/washers esp for things like curtains that might be pulled and adjusted.

And, um, there's no such word as "Overkill" in my shop ... :driving:

EDIT: RivNuts might be nice. But you probably should remove the trim and verify where you're drilling. Once you do that, you could use bolts or whatever. RivNut is handy because it allows you to screw and unscrew the bolt.

Lump

 

FWIW, I have mu curtains set up to snap in place in my camper conversion. The snap is just screwed into the plastic with a regular wood screw. They've been installed and removed a number of times with no issues at all so far.

 

I agree that the snaps are probably fine, but I was talking with GreatWhite at BurningVan and he mentioned maybe using velcro with a screw through the middle... so I tried it. Works great -- easy to put them up, easy to take them down and no worries about the adhesive going to crap with the screw in there.

I also recently changed them over to tan velcro coins, so my van doesn't look like it has pimples anymore.

 

For me when camping in van I made black out shades by using the foil type windshield sunscreens. I just cut them to exact sizes and used Velcro. The Velcro on the sunscreens needed to be sewn on (I promise adhesive wont work) but then you just number them so you know which is which. They keep it way cooler than curtains since they are insulated and fully reflective.
You can buy those heavy duty snaps at wall mart and put them in with 1/4" drill point screws also.