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funkill · 02-11-2011, 12:13 PM

I'm always dreaming up ways to enhance my (uppper) damaged vista views. The plastic panels that the cover slides up/down on are damaged and the closeout cover does not slide easily. It gets stuck on the damaged/broken portion of the *rails* that are formed on the underlying plastic panel.

During an Open House at the Topsail Rally, I noticed that the new trailers have a cool design for the upper vista views. I am wondering if I can purchase this and install it over my existing vista view windows?

Here's the style that I have vs the style of a new interior. Hopefully Andy (Inland RV) will chime in on this idea! Though I'm betting it will not be an inexpensive solution....

Laura

MDSilverado · 02-13-2011, 02:52 PM

I've been looking at mine and thinking the same. While the shades themselves are aluminum an in pretty good shape the underlying surrounds are plastic and very brittle. Several weeks ago I notice one was out of alignment with the window I pulled on it slightly to see if it would move...nope it just shattered.

Looking at the new design I wonder if you could enlarge the opening in the skin and trim the opening in a small angle. The sides would have to be curved somewhat to match the wall. Once the new opening was formed I am sure you could find a shade that could be fit in the opening.

I have also thought abandoning the shades altogether...who will ever be able to see in those windows???

Gene · 02-13-2011, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MDSilverado

[I]
I have also thought abandoning the shades altogether...who will ever be able to see in those windows???

People in 5th wheels and giant MH's towering over you. Also, black helicopters, space ships, bugs, birds and some basketball players.

Gene

funkill · 02-13-2011, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MDSilverado

I've been looking at mine and thinking the same. While the shades themselves are aluminum an in pretty good shape the underlying surrounds are plastic and very brittle. Several weeks ago I notice one was out of alignment with the window I pulled on it slightly to see if it would move...nope it just shattered.

Looking at the new design I wonder if you could enlarge the opening in the skin and trim the opening in a small angle. The sides would have to be curved somewhat to match the wall. Once the new opening was formed I am sure you could find a shade that could be fit in the opening.

I have also thought abandoning the shades altogether...who will ever be able to see in those windows???

I was hoping the new closeout/shade/surround was a *unit* (complete with the new shades) that could just be fit into my original cutout. I realize that it's highly unlikely that the cutout is exactly the same - but it looks close...

I do recall reading someone who fixed those plastic slides using duct tape and gorilla glue - but mine just seem too far gone. Thought I could push the slide all the way up and slap in a new *unit*. I'll have to call a dealier and see what they think.

Laura

deauxrite · 02-13-2011, 06:46 PM

Gene has it right...especially the black helicopters.

Bowmans · 02-13-2011, 08:43 PM

I love this one also:

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrawfordGene

...and some basketball players.

We just went to an RV expo here in VA this weekend and saw the new AS models. We looked closely at the Vista View windows and they look like the whole unit is one piece (or 2). The inside aluminum trim piece comes from the VV window pane out to the frame and the other inside panels overlap it. The shade is attached to it and looks self contained as a window unit (no plastic sleeves and stuff in the walls at all). It would be a job to replace them (Olympic riveting, trimming aluminum, taking out the old sleeve pieces, etc.) but as long as the hole size (inside and outside) for the new window was the same or larger, looks very possible. I do like the way the shades work in the new ones.

Aage · 02-13-2011, 10:34 PM

If you do a bit of digging, you'll see that wasagachris did a beautiful rebuild on the vista views in his TT: rebuilt the tracks, repainted the closing blind, they look fabulous now, and apparently work well too.

Do a bit of searching, I'm sure you'll find it. He had great photos as well.

MDSilverado · 02-14-2011, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrawfordGene

People in 5th wheels and giant MH's towering over you. Also, black helicopters, space ships, bugs, birds and some basketball players.

Gene

God help me if I ever camp at a park that the sites are close enough for a 5Wer to look in on me! Camping in a facility as such would be at odds with the reason I got into camping.

Gene · 02-14-2011, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MDSilverado

God help me if I ever camp at a park that the sites are close enough for a 5Wer to look in on me! Camping in a facility as such would be at odds with the reason I got into camping.

Traveling long distances means too many campgrounds with narrow pads and towering RV's. When giants are on both sides, we feel like Lilliputians. They can probably see in the skylight too. And around the sides of the blinds. You might as well walk around outside naked. On our last trip we were in S. California and looking up campgrounds I saw there was a nudist one—I think it was near Barstow. No, we didn't go.

Our vista views have cellular shades that pull up.

Gene

wasagachris · 02-14-2011, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aage

If you do a bit of digging, you'll see that wasagachris did a beautiful rebuild on the vista views in his TT: rebuilt the tracks, repainted the closing blind, they look fabulous now, and apparently work well too.

Do a bit of searching, I'm sure you'll find it. He had great photos as well.

Laura here is a link to where my VV shade repair starts
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f36/...tml#post921323

constructor · 02-26-2011, 06:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MDSilverado

God help me if I ever camp at a park that the sites are close enough for a 5Wer to look in on me! Camping in a facility as such would be at odds with the reason I got into camping.

Amen

FreeRenegade · 04-17-2019, 07:17 PM

We are in the process of wrapping up a frame off on our 1975 International. We put together a DIY tutorial for how we fabricated our vista view window casings. Our design does not include an integral sliding shade like the original but is made from steam bent wood. We are planning on using canvas shades that roll up and are secured with leather straps that have line snaps. Hope this is helpful to anyone who is dealing with this issue.