Mini Blinds for Airstream??

[Tony S]

Hi Folks

I was hoping I could get advice on where to get aluminum mini blinds for my 1973 Airstream. Anything I should be aware of that is particular to RV use beyond the bottom hold down. Where is the best place to get them online?

Many Thanks

Tony

[Rich W]

The PO of our AS installed mini blinds, I don't know where he got them. He had to do special cutting himself, to get around some of the areas by the window near the door. I would guess they came from a blinds store, Home Depot or the like.

We like the look, but they are not so easy to open and close. The natural arc of the trailer sides has the blinds hanging toward the interior instead of hugging the walls. It's an improvement over the original curtains but I would really like to have something on rails that followed the curvature and would slide up and down easily.

[aftermath]

When we purchased our 2006 trailer two of the blinds were bent up rather badly. I looked at HD and Lowes and boy, they were expensive. I then went to the Airstream dealer here in town and got two perfect replacement blinds for about half of what they were asking in those other places. I don't know if you can still get them for your trailer but it might be worth a try.

We had to "re-do" the front room in our home and of course that meant three window blinds. Man, you would think that they are made of gold or something. OK, I AM getting old now. I know it. Gotta go, I see some kids on my lawn.

[featherbedder]

Has any one figured how to install on curved sides? so they follow contour.

[Dingo Girl]

There was a thread on here a while back and the person had put the blind between the screen and glass on the Corning curved windows.
It's worth looking at. A very clever idea. And looked neat and clean.

[Tony S]

Haven't been able to find the post mentioned by Dingo girl. All thanks for your replies.

Any other input?

Tony

[Dingo Girl]

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f454...nt-111812.html

This is it. Hope the link works.

[m.hony]

There is a company called OceanAir that makes mini blinds for sailboats.
When you visit their website there is a section/link to mini blinds for Airstream trailers.
http://www.oceanair.co.uk/

[KenS]

We converted our trailer to Oceanair shades purchased from www.Zarcor.com. They have a special section for Airstream trailers. Very satisfied with the order process and fit.

~ Ken


Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

[youngpeck]

Magnets!

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f39/...ds-110866.html

[55AS]

Originally Posted by KenS

We converted our trailer to Oceanair shades purchased from www.Zarcor.com. They have a special section for Airstream trailers. Very satisfied with the order process and fit.

~ Ken


Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

Pricey but excellent quality

[blkmagikca]

I went through this idea of refitting the old miniblinds in my AS. Met up with someone who has the same year as mine (his was a 34) and he showed me that he used plastic miniblinds from Walmart and they were held in place with the pleated drapes - so I bought plastic miniblinds (room-darkening) at Walmart for about $7 each. Works just fine. I do need to have the drapes replaced (they're original 1987).

[Roadrunner]

Hi Tony...I recently purchased 1/2" aluminum blinds for the kid's Tradewind from blinds.com. These were for the bunk area. You can order the exact size. Ours look great. I ordered them just long enough that the bottom of the blind rests in the aluminum shelf/rail that runs from front to back. They can be ordered in colors as well.

Bob - "Roadrunner"
Indiana, PA

WBCCI 4841
TAC PA-5

[gecko]

HI Tony-

sound alike some great advice here!

Only one caution about mini-blinds in trailers--as windsurfers, we tend to be in very windy areas, and mini-blinds do not like wind! We had them in an earlier trailer and it was a constant problem. Of course the Ocean Air shades aren't going to work with the windows open in windy conditions, either, but the curtains that Airstream supplies surprisingly work very well--you can close them, and then just leave a gap for air to come through and they work well, even in high wind.

If you're not camping in the wind, no problem!

[m.hony]

I had mini blinds in one trailer.
This trailer has those paper looking day/night shades with the strings on both sides.
Of all RV window treatments I prefer the pleated curtains in old school Airstream trailers like mine.
I'm not sure any come with pleated curtains any more, maybe out of concern that it looks like grandmother's house and a younger buyer might not like it.

[carl2591]

or maybe pull the mini blinds up when the windows are open?? works for me.

blinds.com has the alum blade that is perfect and the price is not bad.

Originally Posted by gecko

HI Tony-

sound alike some great advice here!

Only one caution about mini-blinds in trailers--as windsurfers, we tend to be in very windy areas, and mini-blinds do not like wind! We had them in an earlier trailer and it was a constant problem. Of course the Ocean Air shades aren't going to work with the windows open in windy conditions, either, but the curtains that Airstream supplies surprisingly work very well--you can close them, and then just leave a gap for air to come through and they work well, even in high wind.

If you're not camping in the wind, no problem!

[dpaul.syv]

The thread was from 68 overlander. I have a 68 Tradewind. We got them from blinds chalet. Always seems they are half price. But they work great. I put the blinds between the screen and the window. Attached to the screen with some heavy duty 3M double sided tape. Went on a 2500 mi trip and they are hanging just fine.
Best idea yet. Cleared up the space that those accordion curtains take up.
They tell you exactly how to measure. They custom make them for your windows. Got them within 2 weeks.
Myrna is pleased.

Diana

[Tony S]

Thanks for all the great leads and advice. I will go through the sites. It looks like I have a little thinking to do.

Hey Bob, Long time hope all is well and you have been doing all the camping and restoration you want to.

Tony

[HiJoeSilver]

You can also build a valence that extends down the sides to hide the fact that the blinds don't match the curve.