Re: MCD window shades Reply #25 – August 13, 2014, 04:00:51 pm Yahoo Message Number: 147951"I guess they went back to the 'old times.' Our 2014 has double roll up shades: a sun shade and a blackout shade." Actually, I think they went to the MCD day/night shades we've been talking about, or something very similar. The 2014 spec sheet says:Advanced design slow-rise day/night roller shades with upholstered valance surround. Day shade provides increased sun protection while blackout night shade eliminates light entry.These are a big improvement over the old-fashioned flap-flap-flappy roller blinds that my 1985 Lazy Daze had.Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels
Re: MCD window shades Reply #26 – August 13, 2014, 04:11:00 pm Yahoo Message Number: 147952Thanks for filling us in, Mike! That's helpful information. "He said the shade would normally hang straight down which would be about 7-8" away from the bottom window frame, however they could attach velcro to the bottom shade grab rail and the bottom of the window frame to keep the shade closer to the glass." If I were going to do this installation, I wouldn't use Velcro. Its adhesive has a bad habit of softening and melting in summer's heat. I'd use 3M Dual Lock. Of course this raises a question: since we know the Lazy Daze uses shades of this type on current models, how do they deal with the sloping rear window? "if we can complete the measurements form on their web site and pick the fabric, they could probably do the installation of the manually operated shades in one day (reservation still required)." I'm thinking that hanging window shades isn't that big a deal--put up a couple of brackets and you're done. I'd do it myself.Andy BairdTravels with Andy
Re: MCD window shades Reply #27 – August 13, 2014, 04:24:04 pm Yahoo Message Number: 147953Of course this raises a question: since we know the Lazy Daze uses shades of this type on current models, how do they deal with the sloping rear window? --- I haven't seen a new model LD with these shades, but I would bet that LD deals with the sloping rear window exactly as they have for eons, i.e., a rectangular shade. I am pretty sure that LD's "think" is that since the valence covers the "wedge" piece beyond where the rectangle ends (IOW, the straight edge of the shade is not apparent behind the valence from the inside), installing a rectangular shade is a non-issue. (If LD has addressed the angled window/straight-edged shade in another way, do post their solution.)Joan
Re: MCD window shades Reply #28 – August 13, 2014, 04:43:49 pm Yahoo Message Number: 147955"I would bet that LD deals with the sloping rear window exactly as they have for eons, i.e., a rectangular shade." You're right that the angled ends of the side windows are simply covered up by the rear valances, and those blinds--like all our blinds--are rectangular. But we were talking here about the big rear window--the one that slopes 14° from the vertical. The question was: if installing MCD day/night roller blinds, how do you deal with that window? You want your blind to follow the window's slope... not to hang straight down, with the bottom edge seven or eight inches inside the coach. I asked Vince at the factory how they deal with this, and his answer was that they use the rear valances to hold the blind at the window's angle. He said that when they switched to those blinds, they redesigned the valances so that their bottom ends are closer to the window, thus constraining the blind to do likewise. This approach won't work for me, since I removed all my valances in order to maximize the view. But it would probably work for most folks. Vince did make one other comment. He said that the day/night shades are bulkierat the top than standard blinds, and that may pose a problem for some older LDs, because the valance boxes are pretty tight in some cases. In short, your valances may not be large enough to contain the blinds. It sounds as if careful measuring is in order before you make an appointment to have MCD blinds installed.Andy BairdTravels with Andy
Re: MCD window shades Reply #29 – August 13, 2014, 07:43:26 pm Yahoo Message Number: 147959OK, got it! Thanks for the enlightenment! ;-)Joan
Re: MCD window shades Reply #30 – August 13, 2014, 10:09:01 pm Yahoo Message Number: 147964""I guess they went back to the 'old times.' Our 2014 has double roll up shades: a sun shade and a blackout shade." How useful are the sun blocking shades considering that the windows are already heavily tinted? Installing just the light darkening shades would seem to be adequate and half the cost ($140 vs. $280 per window). This could get expensive quickly.Larry
Re: MCD window shades Reply #31 – August 13, 2014, 11:25:35 pm Yahoo Message Number: 147969"Why would one drive with the shades down in the first place?"Now and then we drive with the side window shades down (alternatively) on hot days to keep the cabin cooler. This allows the cab a/c to be more efficient, too. Chris
Re: MCD window shades Reply #32 – August 14, 2014, 02:35:38 am Yahoo Message Number: 147972If one does not have valances, in order to deal with the sloping rear window, I think Velcro or even 3M dual lock would be a pain to live with. Another approach would be to fabricate a stainless steel rod for each end of the blind. The rod would be installed parallel to the window for the blind to rest against, with each end bend in and either welded to a small SS plate with holes to screw it to the wall, or flattened and holes drilled through rod. If one preferred to have a more subdued finish than shiny stainless, rod could be bead blasted for matte finish. Or if a more neutral black color is desired, bead blast and paint or slide the SS rod into thinwall black Teflon tubing prior to forming bent ends. 3/16" diameter rod should be adequate.bumper
Re: MCD window shades Reply #33 – August 14, 2014, 09:53:39 am Yahoo Message Number: 147973There's a valance that runs like a track vertically on either side of the window. It holds the shade against the wall and keeps it from flapping. The 2 shades are very close together. If you let the back one roll up too high it can be a bit of a pain to get it started. Syndi
Re: MCD window shades Reply #34 – August 14, 2014, 10:02:09 am Yahoo Message Number: 147974The sun blocking shades work very well. We use them a lot on the sunny side of the rig. We've noticed a big difference in the inside temperature using them. Syndi
Re: MCD window shades Reply #35 – August 14, 2014, 12:05:51 pm Yahoo Message Number: 147975I installed the MCD shades on a 2001 MB.The only modification to the valances was removal of a small portion of the framework where the shades go through the valance at the rear of the sofa shades.I bought the gold duo series because they were cheaper. They came with vinyl shades which lose their flexibility in cold weather and don't want to go up on their own. The more expensive fabric model may not have this problem. With the valance in place they do an excellent job of excluding all light.When I ordered these in Nov 2012 they were having a significant rebate when you returned the old shades to them.The shade cloth does reduce the heat in the rig and I like to retain the ability to look out rather than have an opaque shade which makes the interior even darker during the day.On the midbath, there are two cup holders just below the rear window. Opening these partially gives a vee to sit the bottom bar of the shade in and keep it against the window. Works fine and no modification required.Ray Hetterscheidt
Re: MCD window shades Reply #36 – August 14, 2014, 12:08:34 pm Yahoo Message Number: 147976"How useful are the sun blocking shades considering that the windows are already heavily tinted? Installing just the light darkening shades would seem to be adequate and half the cost ($140 vs. $280 per window)." I've been thinking the same thing. Haven't made up my mind yet, but I might go for the simpler solution.Andy BairdTravels with Andy
Re: MCD window shades Reply #37 – August 14, 2014, 12:12:35 pm Yahoo Message Number: 147977Excellent information, Ray--thanks! :-)Andy BairdTravels with Andy
Re: MCD window shades Reply #38 – August 14, 2014, 01:37:08 pm Yahoo Message Number: 147978I'm wondering the same thing. Having lived with just the regular pull-down shades of the older Lazy Daze models, day/night shades on an SOB, and the Lazy Daze shades ca. 2005, I think I would opt for the simpler solution as well. I can't say that I used the "day" shades very much on the Mountain Aire, and those windows were not tinted as heavily as the Lazy Daze windows. The best use for the day feature is probably in a crowded campground, which, of course, most Lazy Daze owners endeavour to avoid! ;->All through this extensive thread, I really had had no idea that these shades are so expensive! Halving the cost would be a considerable savings, particularly in light of the lesser use that may be made of the daytime feature.Virtual hugs,Judie http://dorrieanne.wordpress.com
Re: MCD window shades Reply #39 – August 14, 2014, 11:00:44 pm Yahoo Message Number: 147980Does anyone ever use the old-fashioned "Venetian" -type slatted blinds? We still use the metal ones in the kitchen and toilet room in our 2002 30'. They work just fine. We have 2" faux wood slatted blinds on some windows in our home and they are durable and easy to adjust. I like to be able to get just the right amount of sunlight coming in the window by tipping the blinds as needed. You really can't do that with roller blinds. Opinions?Chris
Re: MCD window shades Reply #40 – August 15, 2014, 08:42:01 am Yahoo Message Number: 147982Chris wrote in part, "Does anyone ever use the old-fashioned "Venetian" -type slatted blinds? We still use the metal ones in the kitchen and toilet room in our 2002 30'. They work just fine. ... I like to be able to get just the right amount of sunlight coming in the window by tipping the blinds as needed. You really can't do that with roller blinds. "I too would really like to hear the comments on this. The only issues I can think of would be noise and strings going bad. Both of those issues do not seem to be a problem in our 07 MB with either the factory installed bath or kitchen blinds. The LD does not have many miles (21k or so) on it so I'm not sure that I have hit the mark where problems would occur. John
Re: MCD window shades Reply #41 – August 15, 2014, 10:35:52 am Yahoo Message Number: 147983Absolutely, you do not need the Duo with solar shade. LD windows are plenty tinted. Single blackout shades are much easier to install. MCD has a wide variety of colors to match your original shade. Allen 2011 TK
Re: MCD window shades Reply #42 – August 15, 2014, 01:09:31 pm Yahoo Message Number: 147984Chris IMO, the metal mini blinds are perfect for the kitchen because they can be easily cleaned. Most of the year, we keep a layer of insulation behind the blinds to block the heat and cold. Larry
Re: MCD window shades Reply #43 – August 15, 2014, 01:12:30 pm Yahoo Message Number: 147985The metal mini - blinds are also non - flammable, a big plus in a small kitchen.Kathy Lautz
Re: MCD window shades Reply #44 – August 15, 2014, 01:30:46 pm Yahoo Message Number: 147986I like the adjustability of Venetian blinds, but hate the fact that when wind blows through them, they buzz and rattle. I replaced mine (bathroom and kitchen) with homemade curtains.Andy BairdTravels with Andy
Re: MCD window shades Reply #45 – August 16, 2014, 09:45:41 am Yahoo Message Number: 147992We purchased a 30' IB a couple of years ago and did not like the folding accordion style pull down binds that cast a shadow in the window at night. We bought and installed cordless aluminum venetian blinds, they are great. They do all the things you mentioned with no cords. The rear window is still a problem due to the outward angle. I'm still working on that one, any ideas out here? Dart 99 30"IB Aura
Re: MCD window shades Reply #46 – August 16, 2014, 11:34:59 am Yahoo Message Number: 147993Couldn't you use the same style hold down brackets that hold down the kitchen and toilet room aluminum slatted blinds? 1Chris
Re: MCD window shades Reply #47 – August 16, 2014, 04:57:43 pm Yahoo Message Number: 147995Couldn't agree more. Even with the heavy window tint, the solar shades do provide a noticeable temp reduction. We are camped at 7000+ elevation right now, with full sun and 85* outside. We have the fantastic fans on and a window open. Feels like we have the a/c on. Love these shades! Mark and Diana - chillin in the Los Padres National Forest : )
Re: MCD window shades Reply #48 – August 16, 2014, 10:59:32 pm Yahoo Message Number: 147998May be on some interest to the MCD crowd. MCD Innovations - Gold Series Installation | iRV2 Forum
Re: MCD window shades Reply #49 – August 17, 2014, 10:24:34 am Yahoo Message Number: 148001Thanks, I'm headed in that direction. I want to make it a quick disconnect so we can raise it up out of the way. dart
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