Towing with Airstream blinds open?

[gomotomoto]

Yesterday, I towed a short distance with the blinds open in the front/back of the airstream. This allowed me to get a glimpse of what was going on behind the airstream for the first time.



Not sure if I liked it or not.



What do you guys prefer?

[DoubleR]

Blinds closed to keep the trailer cooler. I have a camera on the back of the trailer to see what’s following me.

[AlinCal]

Open, can see thru trailer and see if the fridge door has swung open or not only happened one time but now very aware of the possibility.

[GeocamperAS]

I always had the blinds open until I added a camera. I am one of those drivers that needs to know what is going on ALL around him at all times.

[drbrick]

Can't really see thru the AS - have camera anyway - like "DoubleR" aids in keeping thing cool - use a 'shock cord' to keep the beer in the frig

[Atwebs]

With our old SOB, the wooden slat blinds rattled around and hit things -the windows, the cabinets so we learned to lower all the blinds and secure them before we took off. The Airstream? The blinds are all secured top and bottom so there is no need to do it if you don't want to...and the back up camera on the trailer is really a neat addition.

[Wayne&Sam]

Originally Posted by gomotomoto

Yesterday, I towed a short distance with the blinds open in the front/back of the airstream. This allowed me to get a glimpse of what was going on behind the airstream for the first time.

IIRC, this was the intent of Wally's design

[nryn]

Tried both opened and closed on a recent 10-day trip. Settled on closed, mostly for convenience. If we need to park or want to set up camp then take off, the curtains are already closed and I don’t have to go do that.

To be fair, opening and closing the curtains is the time consuming part on the Globetrotter. They have loosened up over time (which is good) but it’s still a finicky operation.

[Mollysdad]

The stone guards on my AS are pretty dark. I don't think I'd see anything.
Although one could add a second camera in the interior.
I don't see the need, yet.

[sallye]

Closed, mostly to keep it cool.


I don't worry about what's going on behind me. I can't do anything about it anyway. I drive about 60 in the right lane. Anyone who doesn't like my driving can go around.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Closed...the weight of the open shade can shake enough to stretch/loosen the string and/or break the plastic doodad...AMHIK 🥴
Bob
🇺🇸

[A W Warn]

I've done it both ways. I liked seeing through on my older trailers.
However, the trailers I have now the curtains make no difference because the rock guards on the front windows are too dark. I cannot see anything looking from the rear view mirror through the trailer window, except a headlight at night.

[kidjedi]

I haven't installed my rear camera yet, so I like to leave front and rear blinds open so I can see what's behind me, especially at night. If you have a dark rockguard though, you likely can't see through during daylight hours.

[PatLee]

I keep the blinds closed when I travel, mostly to preserve the interior/fabrics/upholstery from sun's rays, which out west are pretty intense. I believe closed blinds also kept the trailer cooler; and discourages people from peering inside when it's parked i.e. at Walmart or elsewhere.

[davidrrand]

I carry an AcuRite indoor/outdoor thermometer with an outdoor sensor. When camping, the sensor goes in the propane cover so I have nighttime outdoor temp. While traveling the display is in the truck and the sensor is in the fridge. If the temp rises, I know something is going on in the fridge like and open door or out of propane ��

[rucos]

I always travel with all blinds closed ,.... more for the security of people not being able to look in.... especially if we stop somewhere to shop etc....also for less heat build up and fading.
With my dark rock guard and looking thru the tinted canopy on the Tundra I don't think id see much anyway.
All inside doors are super secured from opening.....so im not interested in what's going on inside....we usually stop every couple of hours and I always check all around plus the insides.

[Al and Missy]

Between the tinted glass in my TV rear window and my topper, I can barely see the trailer behind the truck, much less anything behind the trailer with the blinds open.

Al

[Manning G]

Originally Posted by drbrick

Can't really see thru the AS - have camera anyway - like "DoubleR" aids in keeping thing cool - use a 'shock cord' to keep the beer in the frig

If there's beer in the fridge, I have not stayed long enough.

[Ronman]

We have the mini blinds and my wife uses Velcro strips to tie them in them open. If they come loose during travel while closed, they can scuff the aluminum.
I found the panoramic curtains when open are worthless with the tint of the rock guards except at night.
Love reading how everyone does things differently!

[Hittenstiehl]

Open for us but we have vintage trailers and can well see thru and out the back.

Of course it helps that we don't even have curtains, yet.