Window Tint

[TECMike]

Has anyone experienced any problems with window tinting as it relates to seeing tow mirrors safely and rear view mirror visibility? What about night driving with side, rear, and front windows tinted?

Our brutal Texas summers towing in July and August are about to convince me and my wife that our AC needs help on our beloved old truck on long trips. I have a 2002 Ford SuperCrew diesel which has a lot of cab area to have to cool.

Any input from those who have completely tinted their truck and tow will be helpful. Thanks in advance.

[miltvill]

You want a good quality tint that blocks the UV light and heat. Just because a tint is dark does not mean it will block the heat better then a lighter tint. I have a 30% tint on the driver and passenger side front windows that has a 55% heat rejection. I have no problem seeing my tow mirrors or street signs at night. Federal law regulates the rear windows darkness. State law regulates the front windows darkness. This is you why you can get a dark factory tint on the rear right and left window of most trucks. The factory tint is legal in all 50 states. I added a light tint to the factory tinted windows for better heat rejection. I also tinted my sunroof. When I park my vehicle I use a sunshade on the front window which really helps keep my vehicle cool and protects my dash from the sun.
For any RV a good quality window tint would work out nice.
My window tint also reduces head light glare that reflects off my mirrors at night.
I use a 3m product.

[Grit_dog]

^Just outta state plate revenue collectors.

[JIMNLIN]

I've been driving since 1958 and never been stopped for a window tint check.....till Utah state trooper got me on I-80 through Park City.....twice.
First time was in 2015 in the wifes 2010 Impala with a tint strip at the top of the wind shield. Trooper was nice and says why he stopped me. Had a look to see if the tint extended below the AS-1 line marks on the wind shield.
Second time was in the same exact spot on I-80/Park City...different trooper. We were in the wifes new 2016 1500 chevy with my states legal tint on the drivers/passengers window.
Both times they checked the tint with some type of pockets measuring device.
No tickets and trooper says have fun while your in Utah.

[Durb]

Had a Nissan Titan with tint on the driver's window. At night the dash lights would reflect off the window and make it difficult to use the mirror.

I was driving on I-90 near spokane when I was overtaken by a nice Suburban with a completely blacked out windshield. I thought "What an idiot". He was pulled over another 10 miles up the road. Could have been for speeding. His rig did look cool and stealthy.

[Grit_dog]

Super_Dave wrote:
My windows are a bronze colored glass but I wouldn't classify them as tinted in the respect that they reflect heat. In fact, they may even absorb more heat because of the color.

Tint those sum beatches then! It's not magic but it helps.

[patperry2766]

In Texas, it's 20% on the driver and passenger side windows only. Anything behind that is legal. Had F-150 with the factory tinted windows. Put limo tint on top of that. Made for a cooler interior without too much visibility problems.

[Super_Dave]

My windows are a bronze colored glass but I wouldn't classify them as tinted in the respect that they reflect heat. In fact, they may even absorb more heat because of the color.

[dodge_guy]

Super_Dave wrote:
Can anyone speak to doing it on the RV windows? Our 5th wheel is a hot box and contemplating window tinting or awnings.

Our last 2 TT’s cane with tinted windows. And our current MH has tinted windows. I wanted to do the front driver and passenger. But I had read that with thermal pane windows you don’t want to tint them. As the tint will reflect back into the glass, heat up the gas in between and pop a seal. I can’t verify that will happen, but I don’t want to take a chance!

So if you have thermal panes I would say don’t do it!

[Bedlam]

Two of my RV's had polarized windows that help reflect the sun and offer some privacy when darker inside. Two of my RV's also have had dual pane windows - These insulated from external temperatures and also noise. My current RV has both.

[Super_Dave]

Can anyone speak to doing it on the RV windows? Our 5th wheel is a hot box and contemplating window tinting or awnings.

[Bedlam]

Front side window tint is very restricted in my NW area due to reduced visibility during darkness and rain. It makes more sense in the sunbelt where you have less of these conditions, but it will reduce your visibility even in ideal conditions.

[Grit_dog]

pitch wrote:
I have neve seen an aftermarket tint hold up. Within several years of heat cold moisture it will begin to bubble.
As mention above dark windows are cop magnets,even a tint legal in your state may have you sitting on the side of the road in another.

You just need to not be cheap on the tint.
14 year old truck tinted since new, and like new.
34 year old truck tinted...a long time I presume, based on the condition of it. No issues with it peeling or discoloring.

Agree, northern and NE states tint is a great excuse to get pulled over. Grew up in upper midwest.
Down south and out west/southwest, cops don't care. It's normal.

[TECMike]

Thanks so much for the input, everyone. I have been looking at a high quality ceramic tint, that has a VLT (visual light transmission) above 70 percent. Much lighter than other tints. Ceramic is higher priced, but I have learned, as a rule, one usually gets what one pays for.

My research on the web indicates ceramic tint is best for the heat rejection, does not fade, and has the best durability. I suspect, as mentioned, skill of the tint shop and their reputation as a business is mighty important.

At our age, wife and I do not tow or travel at night, unless we are forced to in an emergency situation. Then tint VLT percentage might come into play, I suspect.

Again, thank everyone for their comments. This is a great forum that truly has some helpful members like you all.

[mkirsch]

Be careful because there are a lot of tint shops out there that will put whatever you want on the windows, not necessarily what's legal.

In other words they won't tell you the shade that you fell in love with is too dark.