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ALANSD · 02-26-2002, 08:49 AM

We had a problem with our vertically tracking blinds on the side of our Motorhome. The ends of the blinds have a few broken guides that were to insert into the aluminum track.This keeps them going up the curved wall, and not swinging out as you drive.
The guides are no longer sold.
We did find the nylon curtain/drape hanger inserts, and were able to hot glue the elastic hanger to the blinds, and insert these guides into the tracks easily. Now the blind goes up and down smoothly and looks as it is supposed to.
Drape hangers are available at Camping World, and many other places inexpensively. they are durable and fit all the aluminum tracks inside the AS motorhome.

PeterH-350LE · 02-26-2002, 04:23 PM

Good move on the guide replacement Alan.
And I was afraid, I would have to give some of the spare ones I have, since I redid my blinds (NOT FOR SALE).

When summer comes around and it gets 115 degrees inside your coach, the hot melt glue might let go.
Use 3M's clear Plastic and Emblem adhesive to fix it.

ALANSD · 02-26-2002, 04:27 PM

Good point, we wondered about the hot glue. I have some trim adhesive that I used on the dash wood grain that holds well also.
I looked into new blinds, homedepot has some that track over a skylight and can be custom fitted, but its the curve that puzzled them. I am so far happy with our results. The original woven woods in mine are in pretty good shape considering how rough the rest of the interior fabric was.

PeterH-350LE · 02-27-2002, 07:38 PM

Alan, you may remember me posting this on the other BB before all the data got lost.
I looked at many alternatives for the window coverings, including the track mounted skylight ones. But the curve and angle is the problem.
Unfortunately there is not a very large selection of high quality woven woods. I really wanted some that would block the light.
Home Depot was no help by telling me the Levolor I wanted were discontinued.
So I went to the place below and they got them for me for less than Home Depot would have charged (and less sales tax)

http://www.blindsgalore.com/blindsgalore/default.asp

ALANSD · 02-28-2002, 08:12 AM

Thanks for the link, we will check it. My old blinds are really in good shape, although we would like to change the color. The new hangers are really helping so far. I saw them listed in Camping World for 4 dollars a bag (airtsream drape hangers).

winner · 03-25-2002, 07:44 PM

Would you be kind enough to give us the Camperworld part nmumbers or pages nmumbewrs in their catalog - We desperately need these plastic clips and pulleys.

thenewkid64 · 03-25-2002, 08:24 PM

The part number on the back of the box is #A111. Marked "Airstream Carrier" These clips are T shaped with the elastic.

winner · 03-26-2002, 10:42 AM

Greatly appreciate your response with the part number for the slides. Hope they also have the little pulleys.
Dr Joe

PeterH-350LE · 03-26-2002, 05:57 PM

Dr Joe,
I regret to tell you that I threw my old blinds away. I had no idea the pulleys were that hard to find.

winner · 03-26-2002, 06:00 PM

Yes, I didn't think I would have any problem at all replacing the pulleys, but lo and behold - they are more scarce than the clips.
I did find a guy in the shutter business in greenville who said he had some pulleys and I should bring one up there to compare with what he has got. I finally was able to get the clips from Camping World after repeatedfly phones calls with their management. Whew - what a struggle.

Cat · 03-27-2002, 12:19 AM

I hope you all will enjoy seeing the blinds I chose for Bear when I put the photos online. They are anything BUT 'stock'...
This remodeling is really a labour of love isn't it? And very very challenging.
I got the blinds I wanted (curve or not) at Decoratetoday.com (which is American Blind & Wallpaper). Very high quality.
LIVING ROOM:
I hung "BASSWOOD" (like old Venetian blinds)..in solid wood for warmth. Even tho' they were heavier than vinyl...I wanted the warmth. YES>>>the curve was a problem...first of all because the blind 'housing' would be pulled the wrong way if attached 'straight' onto the chassis. So, I designed a piece of aluminum in an 'upside-down' V-shape; which we riveted one fold onto the Chassis, and the other fold the blind housing was attached to---with the opening of the 'V' upside down (like this ^ ) so the blind would hang STRAIGHT down.
.
Ok...now the blind hung straight;;;BUT, because of the curve...the blind was --- of couse --- out from the chassis a good 7 inches at the bottom when the blinds were down.
I put an extra set of 'tie-downs' on these blinds (1 pair-at the bottom of the big window...and 1 pair at the bottom of the little window under the big one.) so I can choose where I want the blind to be set. I have cafe-curtains hanging over the little bottom windows...and sometimes, I don't want the Basswoods to be all the way to the bottom of both windows.

KITCHEN:
I hung a brushed Aluminum micro-mini (1/2") blind in the galley .. AWESOME! (I almost wish I'd used these throughout)...but they went especially well in the galley where I have used a lot of brushed aluminum and stainless steel.

BATHROOM:
a 'pull-down' vinyl "brocade-appearing" blind...which I haven't installed yet...because it came with brand NEW plastic ends...which dont fit the old brackets.
Solution: I DON"T KNOW YET. The old brackets are (one end) BEHIND the fiberglass 'housing' above the sink, and would be HORRIBLE to remove just to put in the new bracket. ANY IDEAS?
These pulldown blinds don't present the hanging problem so didn't need to use the 'V' bracket to install the heading... This blind isn't even hung yet..b/c I haven't figured out how to modify the blind to fit the OLD brackets.

BEDROOM:
I got pull-down blinds here too in a vinyl 'very thick-looking' screen-like material...They are a little 'see-thru', so they will need more curtains hanging over them. I didn't care because I wanted to have them down and still be able to see a little view through them during the day. (I'm a 'NAP QUEEN"!!

)
Hanging them was easy...BUT, when it came to the 'tie-down' brackets (they gave me this so-called 'commercial-grade' velcro---and it pulled right off---but STUCK to the wall --- yuk!)...it didn't work.
Solution: I hung an additional plain curtain rod BELOW the window (to match the decorative curtain rod above the window) ---a few inches wider than the blind. When the blind is down, I lift the blind by the bottom edge, and 'tuck it' BEHIND the rod, and VOILA! it holds the blind down for perfect privacy (with the side curtains of course blocking out 'peeking Toms'...

)

The bath and bedroom 'pull-down blinds' all have decorative CHAINS which were custom cut to fit the areas..and are riveted to the chassis to keep them taut and out of the way.

I just wanted to post that if the stock (or usual) RV blinds are not desired...regular blinds CAN be modified to work beautifully.

Photos coming .... I SWEAR!
.....Cat

PeterH-350LE · 03-27-2002, 05:55 AM

Cat,
that all sounds very innovative, but the vertical tracks do serve their purpose. You can open the blinds to any heights desired, the blinds staying tucked closed to the wall. Also in Motorhomes, noise is a big consideration, so any type mini blind, especially aluminum, is out of the question.

winner · 03-27-2002, 07:17 AM

I was deeply impressed with what "Cat" has done with the blinds in his motorhome, but from the standpoint of maintaining originality, cost and keeping what I've got (the blinds are in really good shape, I think I will stick with trying to locate a pulley and I already have the clips on the way from Camping World. Cat, I really appreciated y our post,
Sincerely, Dr Joe

winner · 03-27-2002, 10:17 AM

Well Guys, I was really lucky - kept calling around and found a small home factory for blinds here in the county that had an exact replacement for the pulley. In fact the holes in the mounting plate are located exactly to fit the screw holes. This was an act of pure luck. Hopefully I will have them fixed in time for the Classic Motorhome Rally in Pensacola .

thenewkid64 · 03-27-2002, 10:42 AM

Dr Joe 1, Blinds 0

Edie · 03-27-2002, 11:50 AM

Dr Joe

That's not called luck, it' called tenacity.

If I may offer a piece of advice...order a few extra pulleys in case one breaks or you mis-count the number you need. I've never regretted ordering too many parts if the parts aren't too expensive.

winner · 03-27-2002, 04:08 PM

Thanks for your notes Edie and Brett!
Yes, I just couldn't believe it -also in place of the plastic wheel in the old pulleys, these have a solid brass serrated wheel, and cast bodies - I picked up an extra, but I doubt I will ever have any problems with these pulleys.
This was a good day for me also on the Engine Reving Problem. Andy was right on this one - replaced the Fan Clutch and I;m here to tell you, this engine runs so quietly now, It is like a new vehicle.
Dr Joe

Cat · 03-27-2002, 11:26 PM

I probably wrote it all out to have the notes in my journal more than I did to impress anyone.
I am using BEAR as a 'pallet', being the artist I am. And the blinds I've selected have functionalability as well as beauty.

That the blinds may make noise.......? & who would this bother? Bear is not a Motorhome...Bear is a Trailer. No one is inside when we'll be tooling down the road. Besides, when we do hit the road, I'll have the blinds either in their 'tie-down' brackets , or pulled up in their full 'up' position... which then would not allow them to 'make any noise' anyway.

... So, this will never be a problem for me. (wouldn't be even in a Motor Home.

Has anyone seen what Anthony Edwards (the actor in E.R.) has done to his? Gutted it is what...! Really! I'll just bet it's great for what his uses are.

Anyway..just my style.
.....Cat

winner · 03-28-2002, 02:51 PM

BEAR is a neat name for your trailer - We call our Motorhome "Big Girl" and she lives up to that in class and form. Notwithstanding that we decided to stay with our blind configuration, we greatly appreciated your post Cat, and as always found the post most interesting in color and format,
Kindest regards, Dr Joe

Cat · 03-29-2002, 02:59 AM

Thanx much Dr. Joe...I think when everyone sees the pictures, they'll see how I've respected the integrity of the Airstream, yet used every interior feature to either express my artistic talents, to merely embellish a feature, or to just refreshen it.

Today I found an Acrylic company to do work the last vendor failed in personality on. (Do any of you 'nix' vendors/service people based solely on gut feelings like I do? If someone just shows their colours to be 'snobbish' or the ilk,,,I won't use them again.) Just a trait I have.

Thanx again Dr. Joe.
........Cat

P.S. I've been thinking of changing my screen-name. It's been brought to my attention that because the Airstream is ALUMINUM...I shouldn't refer to it as "TIN"...

I'll think about it for a while first.