Hello: I've been wondering what is the norm for driver/copilot area privacy curtains when parked. The only thing I have found is made by RV Designer, a track of some type of material that has a sliding nylon piece that takes a curtain hook that I found on Ebay. We went to the yearly RV show here in Minneapolis and every class A rig we looked at had an electric motor driven single shade, with both day and night shades, not a single curtain type in sight. Guess I may have missed my time. This is intended to be used ONLY when parked both day & night and would be removed before driving. Open to ideas. Thanks Gerry H
There used to be individuals from Florida at the Hershey RV show a couple years ago that sold solid or mesh covers that snapped over windshields from the outside for privacy and relief from heat. They measured ,cut, and fit them to your coach. My father had these for his 4104, although they were solid Naugahyde, not mesh. They worked nice. I was going to get a set for my 4905, but they don't come up any more. The 4104 also had an aluminum track with tiny nylon wheels with metal loops on it that went round inside of windshield. You hooked the curtains to it and slid them across to cover windshield. You could slide it back to go out the door.
You could do something similar with Velcro. You shouldn't need a full strip on inside of windshield, only spots or squares. Don't use cheap Velcro as some doesn't stand up to repeated use.
The wife made ours from a nice fabric that matches the interior and then sewed a UV treated material on the side facing out to block light and protect the interior fabric. I mounted teacup hooks up under the wood trim and she sewed 1/2" brass rings in the top of the fabric to hook them up with. They go up in seconds and offer complete privacy from the driver's side window around to the door window. During the day we leave the driver's side window hooked up and simply roll the rest up and lay it on the steering wheel so we can see out.
Just an option to consider.
Here is what we used and the track is there also. Then you measure and make the drapes and put in regular curtain hooks into them and hange them. We used Velcro on the ends and jusst stick them to the posts when closed and tie them back with straps made from the same material and put velco on those also. The rollers work really well. She made them in two sections and we just pull them back from the center.
Dave5Cs
https://www.amazon.com/JR-Products-81165-Wheeled-Curtain/dp/B002UC2WNO/ref=sr_1_2/159-7505157-2256351?ie=UTF8&qid=1487366839&sr=8-2&keywords=rv+curtain+hardware (https://www.amazon.com/JR-Products-81165-Wheeled-Curtain/dp/B002UC2WNO/ref=sr_1_2/159-7505157-2256351?ie=UTF8&qid=1487366839&sr=8-2&keywords=rv+curtain+hardware)
My bus is different in that I have a solid partition with a door behind the driver's seat.
My solution for keeping the cockpit cool in the summer heat is white foamboard wedged in place. At 88c a sheet, 5 pieces cover the windscreen and driver's window. Yeah, I know... it's very expensive!
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170218/5cc04b7db6a78d10061eed5d7bf3ffae.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170218/35ade9d1b8794f29945a7274da9ba3a4.jpg)
I have the same kind as Dave and Chessie. Works great ! Mine has one continuous track all the way around the sides and front. We can slide any curtains to any position. Got the track and rollers at camping world.
Great so far - Thanks for the input, don't stop, BUT without pictures I'm somewhat confused. I believe some of you are talking about RV Designer I-rail #A208 and nylon wheels #A101. Can't find how the rail is mounted (standoffs? clamps?) orientation of rail, horizontal or vertical? and I assume that it's bendable to follow the transition curve from drivers side window to front windshield and around to outside door. Not enough info from the sellers available on web.
I also found rail A206 that uses slider A103 w/hook for 1-3/8" curtain hooks. Also found rail A207 a different orientation.
I do understand about the industrial Velcro idea, not pretty, but won't rattle like the hardware might when driving. I do want a system that goes up and comes down semi easy with the least amount of hassle ::). I can make the curtains, it's just lack of pictures of the hardware that leaves me at a loss. I've added some stock pics of what I found so far in order of my description. Thanks again Gerry H
I am using the same system as pictured above bought from Camping World. I've had it now for over 20 years. I like the system because you can easily bend the aluminum rail to the shape. Mine is stored behind the driver's seat, then goes around the back of the driver's seat back up to the windshield, then across to the door. The only negative are the U shaped hanger with the small plastic wheels. You have to make sure they are squeezed in (with pliers) tight so the little wheels don't fall off. Not the most pretty, but works. Good Luck, TomC
this is how they attach to the ceiling. they hang down :)
https://www.amazon.com/JR-Products-81185-Ceiling-Bracket/dp/B002UC8QU2/ref=pd_sim_263_2?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B002UC8QU2&pd_rd_r=TX9QFPZWS130TD3K0HJ4&pd_rd_w=2T70e&pd_rd_wg=uQwCK&psc=1&refRID=TX9QFPZWS130TD3K0HJ4 (https://www.amazon.com/JR-Products-81185-Ceiling-Bracket/dp/B002UC8QU2/ref=pd_sim_263_2?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B002UC8QU2&pd_rd_r=TX9QFPZWS130TD3K0HJ4&pd_rd_w=2T70e&pd_rd_wg=uQwCK&psc=1&refRID=TX9QFPZWS130TD3K0HJ4)
I kinda like pushing the button myself,but go to a IKEA store they have some better methods than the rail IMO
Here is a link to the Mounts which if you look down a ways on the other link it had everything there. HTH
Dave
https://www.amazon.com/Ceiling-Bracket-Aluminum-2-bag/dp/B002UC15ZA/ref=pd_sim_263_6/155-6426992-1245865?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=JD6HCMHEAM56YTKK385D (https://www.amazon.com/Ceiling-Bracket-Aluminum-2-bag/dp/B002UC15ZA/ref=pd_sim_263_6/155-6426992-1245865?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=JD6HCMHEAM56YTKK385D)
Gerry
I just had power shades installed in my bus and I love them. With the push of one button all of the shades will close or open. So easy when you want to turn night into day with the flick of a switch. The prices were very reasonable as well. Check them out at http://www.shadesmithca.com/home.html. (http://www.shadesmithca.com/home.html.) I got the dark curtains so even in the day it is very dark, so if you like your naps, this is the way to go.
The other advantage of having power curtains is that with individual switches you can raise or lower each of the front four curtains just by hitting a toggle switch on the dash. So if the sun is shining thru your co-pilots window and they are sleeping, you can hit a switch on your dash board to lower the curtains on her windshield and/or side window. Also, when I was driving to Quartzsite a couple of weeks ago, the setting sun was shining in my side window back over my sofa and causing a glare. With one hit of that shade button I could lower it very easily. Gone are the days when you had to set the cruise control and run back to lower a curtain and race back to your seat just as the front tire hits the rumble strip. ;)
Tell Scott Gary sent you for the best deal. If you make it to the Lytle Creek rally or the Pahrump Rally, you can see mine there.
Quote from: Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM on February 18, 2017, 01:04:05 PM
Gerry
I just had power shades installed in my bus and I love them. With the push of one button all of the shades will close or open. So easy when you want to turn night into day with the flick of a switch. The prices were very reasonable as well. Check them out at http://www.shadesmithca.com/home.html. (http://www.shadesmithca.com/home.html.) I got the dark curtains so even in the day it is very dark, so if you like your naps, this is the way to go.
The other advantage of having power curtains is that with individual switches you can raise or lower each of the front four curtains just by hitting a toggle switch on the dash. So if the sun is shining thru your co-pilots window and they are sleeping, you can hit a switch on your dash board to lower the curtains on her windshield and/or side window. Also, when I was driving to Quartzsite a couple of weeks ago, the setting sun was shining in my side window back over my sofa and causing a glare. With one hit of that shade button I could lower it very easily. Gone are the days when you had to set the cruise control and run back to lower a curtain and race back to your seat just as the front tire hits the rumble strip. ;)
Tell Scott Gary sent you for the best deal. If you make it to the Lytle Creek rally or the Pahrump Rally, you can see mine there.
Can't get the link to work, Gary
Broken Link
OK - starting to make more sense. Has brackets that mount to the ceiling and rail hangs vertically. Of course, I want to mount to the trim strip above my main windshield just below my 2 upper small windows (don't know the term) so need 90 degree turn in design. I will investigate the Ikea idea Clifford (we have a store here across from the Mall of America. Gary thanks for info, but broken link, can't get there. And unfortunately for me, I will be in Pahrump to visit a friend, but a week after you've all gone, bummer :(. Wife booked Vegas 30th anniversary March 21. Let me know if the rally is postponed a week LOL. Thanks to all that chimed in. I appreciate everyone helping. Gerry H
Try this link for power shades www.mcdinnovations.com (http://www.mcdinnovations.com) Carefree has power shades also
Quote from: luvrbus on February 18, 2017, 05:51:24 PM
Try this link for power shades www.mcdinnovations.com (http://www.mcdinnovations.com) Carefree has power shades also
or this:
http://www.shadesmithca.com/ (http://www.shadesmithca.com/)
Sorry, there was a period at the end of the link that confused it. Try this.
http://www.shadesmithca.com/home.html (http://www.shadesmithca.com/home.html)
We got the MCD's 3 years ago and they work well look about the same as Gary's. We got the manual ones because the motors were way more. But we could add them if we ever want to. didn't want to run all the wiring and they said they would have to cut into the corner pillars on our coach to fit the front ones and they had to have the motors on them so we just didn't get the front ones.
Dave5Cs
Actually Dave, wiring them is very easy. I just drilled holes thru my walls to the outside of the coach and ran them along the side of the coach to the power source and drilled holes there and pushed the wires in and hooked them up to 12V. Then I ran wires to where the switches were and drilled holes there and ran the wire in there and hooked them up to the switches. Then I filled the holes with Bubble Gum and I was done. Just like the phone company used to do. :D
Purchased these for coach after using one in 4104. Haven't installed them yet.
We have used the system pictured almost 4 decades in several places in the bus. They work great. are easy to use & don't wear out. We recommend them.
Here's some picts. Would have got them sooner but I made the mistake of upgrading to windows 10 :( Gave up on that mess, I'm using my wife's computer now ;D
I used the brackets that Rob showed along the sides and made my own above the front windows so they would look better.
Every RV we have owned has had that system,our Trek has the accordion pleated type on the rail it works good and looks good , but I still prefer the button where you don't need a big cornice box for storage when not in use and no dealing with tie backs,drop down type electric are the way to go in this century
Quote from: Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM on February 19, 2017, 06:05:47 PM
Actually Dave, wiring them is very easy. I just drilled holes thru my walls to the outside of the coach and ran them along the side of the coach to the power source and drilled holes there and pushed the wires in and hooked them up to 12V. Then I ran wires to where the switches were and drilled holes there and ran the wire in there and hooked them up to the switches. Then I filled the holes with Bubble Gum and I was done. Just like the phone company used to do. :D
Gary nice job Bud!... I did think of doing that but I was going to glue with clear silicon ( so it wouldn't show ;D) a 3inch piece of ABS down the outside and drill into it at each blind so it wouldn't show. Then mount the switches underneath the pipe to protect from the rain. That way we could open the windows going down the road to operate the switches. I will train a rat to grab the ends of all wires in said pipe and pull them to where I can bring them to a power source. I won't have to drill any holes through the coach for those because I can just push them between the glass and seal on the front windshield to tie in to 12 volt. Paint to match so it will be invisible after i cap the ends which of course will have rubber grommets as to nut chaff the wires...I am glad we had this talk. ;D ;) ::)
Dave
What we did was the Ikea route and got blackout roller blinds. Easy to mount and in you need to you can cut them to fit. We have a small one mounted under cabinet behind drivers seat and one that comes down beside it from ceiling. Our bus has all its windows and a blind for each one .
Chuck.