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Cab Blanket
I know that many of you use a blanket in the cold of winter and the heat of summer to block off the cab section of your rigs.  I know I'm in the minority having a 31' that has no cabover that easily can be used to hold the blanket in place.  But for those of us with entertainment center/storage cabinets, any tricks of how to hold a blanket in place?

TIA,

Bill
2013 31' Silver Twin Bed
Semi-retired 6/21....

Re: Cab Blanket
Reply #1
Hello Bill,

Would you be willing to share photos of the space?

Linda <--- Visual Processor  ;)

Edited to add:
When adding an item of size, I tend to lean toward making it's use multi-adjustable, easy up & easy down, and that the attachment mechanism will blend in.  With that in mind, I'd consider attaching a thin metal strip across the span you wish to cover, then buy an insulated curtain and slip slimline super-magnets into the top seam. Sew the magnets into place with a few stitches (or use Gorilla glue) so they stay in place.

The curtain attaches quickly and can be pulled from either side to "make way" for quick access. And it's quiet, unlike Velcro.
Linda Nichols
2003 Mid-Bath

Re: Cab Blanket
Reply #2
A cover can be hung using strategically placed snaps. Velcro or hooks are alternatives.
Amazon.com : stainless steel snap kit

We have two covers, a short and long one, both made from heavy polyester fleece.
The short one is left on all the time, we drop it anytime we leave the rig, leaving the radio to make it appear that, maybe, someone is still in the rig. It gets used nightly in warmer weather.
The long cover is used in very cold or hot weather, it goes all the way to the floor, to block drafts.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze



Re: Cab Blanket
Reply #5
These photos are from another member's coach. Hope it helps.

Stay safe,

Langton
2002 27" RB

Re: Cab Blanket
Reply #6
For what it's worth, what I did in Skylark was this: I bought an inexpensive comforter instead of a blanket--I figured the more insulation, the better. I tucked it under the rear edge of Skylark's mattress. (I did a little trimming and reshaping to make it fit the cab opening.)

At night, I let it hang down and block the cab. By day, I just flipped it up over the bed. Thus I never had to fold it up and store it. Worked well for me.
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"


Re: Cab Blanket
Reply #8
Bill,  I'm not as ambitious as Chris.   I hang a couple of spring clips thru the door pulls on either side,  clip the ends there and tuck the middle part under the TV.
Joel
Joel & Terry Wiley
dog Zeke
2013  31 IB   Orwan   / 2011 CRV Tow'd LWEROVE

Re: Cab Blanket
Reply #9
Bill,  I'm not as ambitious as Chris.  I hang a couple of spring clips thru the door pulls on either side,  clip the ends there and tuck the middle part under the TV.
Joel

Joel - like you, though very impressed, I think I'll try the spring clips...thanks for the idea!
2013 31' Silver Twin Bed
Semi-retired 6/21....

Re: Cab Blanket
Reply #10
Joel - like you, though very impressed, I think I'll try the spring clips...thanks for the idea!

Whatever method you use, design it so the cover fits tightly, with no gaps around the tops, sides or bottom to allow drafts.
It's wasted effort if it allows cold air enter.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze

Re: Cab Blanket
Reply #11
I don't know if anyone has mentioned this already (If so, I missed it.), but it helps a bit to keep out cold air if the vents on the dash are closed.
2003 TK has a new home

Re: Cab Blanket
Reply #12
Hi, Bill--

Welcome...welcome.  Lots of good ideas here, looking forward to seeing what works for you.

Mine doesn't look nearly as nice or easy-to-use as Chris's arrangement, but I have one of my dad's old Navy blankets (just the right width when folded in half lengthwise) that I have tucked up tightly around the cornice over the coach door.  At night I put a long piece of eggcrate type foam ( about 2" thick--I've accumulated various pieces from auctions) against the door, slide a heavy piece of carpet that I use in the kitchen across the entry over the stepwell, & then drop the blanket.  During the day the blanket rolls up & is tucked into the cornice over the door.

For the cab, with no overhead bunk to connect to, I got an adjustable tension-type shower rod that sits easily on the ledge around the entertainment center.  I have another piece of foam behind the TV in the entertainment center.  I then tuck one blanket along the ledge, into the closed doors of the entertainment center (open the doors/tuck clear over the cabinet facing/close doors to secure) & under the TV (previous owners had put in a larger flatscreen on a pivot mount that goes from knob to knob on the front-facing cabinets in the entertainment center, rises to midway over the door to the inverter access/equipment shelves, & sits solidly on the ledge).  I drape that blanket over the shower rod & cab seats.  I have another piece of eggcrate type foam that fits almost from wall to wall that I lay against the two cab seats, which is covered by a blanket from the floor up & over the shower rod & lays on top of the first blanket.  This arrangement allows me to block the cab but have access to the TV.

If I'm somewhere more than a night or two, I've got an interior window cover the previous owners included that fits inside the windshield & side windows.  I've only used it a time or two because the blanket/foam/shower rod has been adequate for over night.

I also have foam that goes between the window & blinds for all the big side windows (app 1" thick behind bedroom & kitchen blinds).  Since I never open the BR window (the Fantastic Fan provides all the ventilation I need), I have some 2" bubblewrap that I cut to fit behind the miniblind.  Since it's clear, it lets some light into the BR during the day.  Another piece of 2" bubblewrap fits against the glass of the back window with the reflectix window cover the previous owners included, then the blind is closed,

During the day the foam is rolled up/secured with bungees/stowed in the shower.  The blankets stow in the entertainment center, the shower rod rides in the corner behind the driver's seat & the barrel chair.  The back window gear folds & stows in the cabinet over the beds.

Lynne
Lynne
LDy Lulubelle, Green '05 31' TB
Lilly, the 4-Legged Alarm

Re: Cab Blanket
Reply #13
When I had the coach reupholstered, I got rid of the sliding track and curtains that were in the front cab.  Since I use a front windscreen covercraft cover and custom cut reflectix on the side windows, that pretty well takes care of anyone looking in and most of the heat.  However, it doesnt take care of the cold very well and light still comes in around the mirror and side windows. So I had my upholsterer make up a light blocking blanket and we put in snap clips to mount it up the the side of the overhead.  It works very well and hangs to the floor so both heat and especially cold is pretty much stopped.  This cost about $100 to have made up. 

Re: Cab Blanket
Reply #14
When I had the coach reupholstered, I got rid of the sliding track and curtains that were in the front cab.  Since I use a front windscreen covercraft cover and custom cut reflectix on the side windows, that pretty well takes care of anyone looking in and most of the heat.  However, it doesnt take care of the cold very well and light still comes in around the mirror and side windows. So I had my upholsterer make up a light blocking blanket and we put in snap clips to mount it up the the side of the overhead.  It works very well and hangs to the floor so both heat and especially cold is pretty much stopped.  This cost about $100 to have made up. 
Very cool. I like that setup better than mine.

It looks like you have your TV squirreled away behind the center panel which appears to be hinged. Is that original or add-on? Have you replaced the original TV? In my cab curtain photos, the TV had been temporarily removed from the mount.

Chris
Formerly: 2002 30' IB

Re: Cab Blanket
Reply #15
Sailrite has all the hardware to install a curtain track like the ones that are in rigs with beds over the cab.

We have the original curtain track. I bought a set of curtains hemmed them to the right length, added plastic beading in the hem for weight to hold them in place and clips to hold them together. Just slide them open or closed and the weight keeps them in place.

Sailrite - Fabric, Canvas, and Sewing Machines Since 1969
Sand Castle (Theresa & Everett) Surfside
01'  26.5 Mid Bath,   2018 31IB
Michigan born and starting to explore the US with my  spouse and our furry friend. Enjoying joining LD group rallies.

Re: Cab Blanket
Reply #16
Chris,  The TV was long gone when I bought the rig a couple of years ago.  All there was  left was a big hole, which also got quite hot in the summertime.  I had a cabinet door made up by a woodworker out of 3/4" cabinet plywood and hung it on a full length piano hinge on one side and two very strong latches on the other side.  My plan is to attach a 24" Samsung tv to the door.  I would still be able to open the door and access the storage inside.  In the meantime I can put stuff in the cabinet without it falling out.

Re: Cab Blanket
Reply #17
Chris,  The TV was long gone when I bought the rig a couple of years ago.  All there was  left was a big hole, which also got quite hot in the summertime.  I had a cabinet door made up by a woodworker out of 3/4" cabinet plywood and hung it on a full length piano hinge on one side and two very strong latches on the other side.  My plan is to attach a 24" Samsung tv to the door.  I would still be able to open the door and access the storage inside.  In the meantime I can put stuff in the cabinet without it falling out.
Very nice. Lots of good ideas coming out of this thread.

Chris
Formerly: 2002 30' IB

Re: Cab Blanket
Reply #18
Sailrite is an excellent source; I've used them in the past.
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"

Re: Cab Blanket
Reply #19
So I took a combination of comments here......this is what I ended up with ....I started with the Zenna Home Adjustable Shower Curtain Rod, 44 to 72 inches bought on Amazon (the same size we use in the shower mounted diagonally to hang towels)......this fits across from one side of the entertainment/storage area above the cab to the other.......then using Eachpole Heavy Duty Nylon Spring Clamps (4.5") I can put a blanket over the rod then hold in place with the clamps......we're headed out a week from now with the grandkiddos and it will be in the low 80's during the day so let's see how this does.  I also use windshield cover by Heatshield and I use the outside cover bought at the mothership..... 
2013 31' Silver Twin Bed
Semi-retired 6/21....