There is something about the dimensions of the windshield of a 2010 Volkswagen Routan that caused me some trouble when shopping for sunshades. Here's what I eventually purchased.
If you want to skip everything else in this article and buy what I did: I bought the "Standard (Medium)" size of this Autoamerics brand. At the time of this writing, it costs about $16 on Amazon. The sunshade set (it comes in two pieces) is not a *perfect* fit, but it works well enough. When positioned properly, the pieces stay in place to cover the majority of the windshield. I have decided that this works for me.
Incidentally, synonyms for sunshades include sun visors and sun shades (two words). The first time I did any research online I couldn't think of those terms and looked up "windshield protector" instead. Silly me.
Sunshade/Sun Visor: Trial & Error
I first picked up a windshield protector (ahem) for my Routan at a Wal Mart. It was a one-size-fits-most accordion folding sunshade, probably 24 or 28 inches tall, and it cost about $14. I took the sunshade out of the packaging later that day and discovered that it was too short for the Routan--almost hilariously so. This was too bad, because I really liked that sunshade; it was light but sturdy.
I'm not sure if the visors in the Routan are just awkwardly high or what. I went back to the Wal Mart and returned the sunshade for a refund. I had torn the packaging but the girl in customer service took it back anyway.
I went back to the automotive aisle and didn't really find anything that looked big enough for my windshield, so I decided to look online.
Dimensions of a 2010 VW Routan Windshield
I went home and measured the inside of my Routan's windshield. I didn't bother getting the most precise measurements with the tape measure, because the little metal tip prevented me from getting the tape all the way down into the bottom crevice, but I came up with the rough measurements of about 31 or 32 inches tall by about 56 inches wide
Expensive Sunshade Options for the Routan
If you don't mind spending over $40 for your sunshade you can find a few that claim to be a custom fit.
A company named HeatShield makes this version. At the time of this writing it's $39.95 (not Prime-eligible) plus $6.99 shipping. There aren't any customer reviews for it, either. The product claims to be custom made for 2009 - 2013 models.
Another company, WeatherTech, offers an even more expensive option at $59.95. The product description promises that the sunshade will stay snug in the windshield if you set it in there properly.
I might consider one of these upgrades if I find that I'm spending a lot of time camping in my Routan--or even living in it. A custom-fit sun shade could help with stealth camping and keeping the minivan that much cooler in the summer.
The Automerics Sunshade: This is What I Went With
Ultimately I settled on a $16 option from Automerics, which I picked up on Amazon. It's a two-piece set--one for each half of the windshield. Like I mentioned at the top, I bought the medium size because that's where the Volkswagen Routan fell on their sizing chart. The sun shades are too short to reach the visor (they're only 28 inches tall), but they have tension so if you place them just right, they'll stay in place. It's a combination of the molding on the edges of the windshield, the rear view mirror, and the tension in the sunshades themselves. I hope that makes sense.
I felt like there has to be a better option, something in between the $16 Automerics and the $60 WeatherTech. But I realized at some point that it probably wasn't worth my time right now to keep looking for something that didn't seem to exist.
Incidentally, I live in Texas right now, so sunshades are essential whether you plan to live in your minivan or not.
No comments:
Post a Comment