Here's a question for all Airstream Motorhome owners

[crazeevw]

Has anyone replaced their window blinds? My 345 has wooden mini blinds that are ok, but really could stand either a thorough going over, or replacement.

I really like the dual pull down shades where one section is light filtering, and other is black-out.

Guess I've got some exploring on the internet ahead of me.

If anyone has done any type of replacement, please let me know.

Thanks, Derek

[mayco]

I'll be interested in following this thread. We would like to eventually replace ours in our 310, they are just kind of tired and no longer work real well. They seem to have some insulating property since they are so thick. I imagine its going to be a bit pricey but its down the road a bit, have other priorities on the rig first.

[tony6373]

Hi Derek,

My M/H came with the original roman shades which were in very sad shape. I like the day-night shades in my trailer but they must be made to the exact window size and are expensive. So I went with wood mini blinds with the little hold down things at the bottom. Kind of a pain when you want to open a window but they don't flop around going down the road. If I decide to run this thing till the wheels fall off then maybe it would be worth while investing in custom day-night shades. This whole M/H thing is still an experiment to me. I've traveled about a 100k miles with my 28' trailer and it has worked very well. But I wanted to try something different and like the looks of the classic aluminum M/Hs.

[Boxster1971]

My 2013 Interstate B-van has the dual pull down shades. They are nice but I've already had the cords break on two of them. They are fairly easy to fix and I've used a slightly heavier cord when fixing them.

[choctawmel]

I replaced the 3 old (broken) woody blinds in the living/dining area with cellular shades in 2006. Made the end caps using old drapes that I replaced. Gives a measure of insulation to the windows which helps with heat, A/C.
I made a mistake when I ordered and got 'standard pull cord' lift mechanism, like you'd have in the home. It's a little more trouble to open/close then it I'd check the right box the Camping World order form.

[crazeevw]

So what type of open/close mechanism would you order now if you had the opportunity?
Thanks, Derek

[choctawmel]

I got the 'residential' cord. Should of got the 'E-Z lift'. Also, if you can find it, need the one with a pilot cords that attach to the bottom of the window. To fully open the ones I got, have to unhook the bottom, pull the cord on one end to raise the nighttime, then pull the cord on the other end to raise the daytime. Not that much trouble, with the 'E-Z lift would just unhook the bottom and lift both at the same time.

[crazeevw]

Thanks for the update. Now I know what to look for this weekend, lol

Thanks again, Derek

[Isuzusweet]

My 310 has the dual shades which work beautifully.

The raising and lowering is different than previous posts. Mine do have a string that travels from the blind to the top of the window. The tension in that line dictates the stiffness in the blind itself. If the string is loose the blind will droop, conversely if tight the blind will stay in whatever position you want it to. The blind has two knob that you just grasp and pull down. You can pull both shades at the same time but is difficult. Mine have no cords you need to pull up or down to operate.

[bullet81]

We replaced the clapped out completely worn out original blinds with buffed aluminum Levelor type blinds from home depot. We mounted them up behind the valances and they look and work great from inside & out and have helped keep the heat down in the summer. Sometimes they do rattle a bit tho but I don't really take too many dirt roads As we redid the whole interior with classic style fabric and had lots left over, my wife made "roman" blinds with a light blocking fabric on the window side that also tuck up under the valances. They are simply mounted, a 1/2"X1 1/2" piece of pine sewn into the top pocket of the curtain with a corresponding piece of wood screwed up under the valance, the 2 pieces of wood have strips of 1 1/2" Velcro mounted on them. Simple and works great to keep things private and keeps the sun out of my eyes on the morning after too many brown pops )))

[crazeevw]

After a bit of research, and reading of reviews on other forums about the cellular pleated shades, have decided against that type.

Seems the manufacturers recommend leaving shades in 'up' position when storing the RV, in order to maintain the pleats. That's not going to work for me at this point.

So, now the quest has begun to find 1" wooden mini-blinds, lol.

Thanks, Derek

[mayco]

Bullet 81, could you possibly post some pics. I like the concept for sure!

[Sonia]

We had ours replaced with MCD shades, only the night ones as during the day, we like to let the light in and the awnings provide enough shade.

[Ron_Kat]

Northwest Sales in Nampa Idaho, they can supply any window coverings, family run business and very good at what they do.
Complete line of RV furnishings and finishes. Just a happy customer here have no interest in the business. Ron