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MCD mechanism upgrade question

I seem to recall, but can't find, mention that MCD had changed the manual roller mechanism in the past year or so and older blinds would need a new mechanism installed (they weren't being repaired).

Does this sound familiar, and if so, has anyone replaced the mechanism themselves (Barry and Cindy?).  We have 2 blinds that are doing the "warp speed retract" and are going to be out in the McKinney area next week sometime.  Would rather not have to pull the blinds just yet if we don't have to.

Michelle
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: MCD mechanism upgrade question

Reply #1 –
Our appt is for the 24th.  Will we see you there?
Carol & Jeff Savournin
Usta have a '93 U225 36', Usta have a '95 U320 40', Usta have a '02 U320 40'
Usta have a 2006 Born Free, Usta have a 2011 Phoenix Cruiser
Usta have a 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4dr
"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life."  Steve Jobs

Re: MCD mechanism upgrade question

Reply #2 –
Our appointment is for the 31st (coming in on 30th)
Dave and Nancy
1999/2013 U270 36' Xtreme
Motorcade # 16774
2013 Subaru Outback
KD0NIM

Re: MCD mechanism upgrade question

Reply #3 –
Quote from: Carol Savournin –
Our appt is for the 24th.  Will we see you there?
Quote from: Dave Katsuki –
Our appointment is for the 31st (coming in on 30th)

I guess we're gonna spend some time visiting McKinney  :))  Time to find other lunch options besides Spoons Cafe....

Michelle
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: MCD mechanism upgrade question

Reply #4 –
Quote from: Steve & Michelle –
I seem to recall, but can't find, mention that MCD had changed the manual roller mechanism in the past year or so and older blinds would need a new mechanism installed (they weren't being repaired).

Does this sound familiar, and if so, has anyone replaced the mechanism themselves?

Bump.

Anyone? 
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: MCD mechanism upgrade question

Reply #5 –
Steve and Michelle.  Will ask and get back to you as soon as I have an answer. The full timers here seem pretty know legable so will ask them

Looks like we will be here till probably Wednesday..Don't know where we be a headin after that..NOT North..
We are only strangers until we meet; however, some of us are stranger than others

Re: MCD mechanism upgrade question

Reply #6 –
S & M. 

Ok, you have the generation 3 shades and they are now doing generation 4.  Your generation shades can be retrofitted at MCD for $50 a shade.  Will take at least two days....THEY are crazy busy...all the snowbirds are headin in and doing the shades before heading further South.  You could take them off and bring them here, then return when fixed. Personally, I would do them all as the others will probably fail.

Hope this helps.

J & C
We are only strangers until we meet; however, some of us are stranger than others

Re: MCD mechanism upgrade question

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Jeff Savournin –
Ok, you have the generation 3 shades and they are now doing generation 4.  Your generation shades can be retrofitted at MCD for $50 a shade.  Will take at least two days

Personally, I would do them all as the others will probably fail.

So not user-upgradeable, even by someone like Steve?  That's unfortunate.  $50 per shade is  cost-prohibitive, which is very disappointing on shades that are only 2 years old. 

If you hear otherwise on the ability of the customer to do the retrofit themselves, let us know.

M
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: MCD mechanism upgrade question

Reply #8 –
I would agree that $50 per shade is a lot for two year old shades that are as expensive at MCD's.
The selected media item is not currently available.Kent Speers
Locust Grove, OK
1993 U300 SSE 40' (Restored at FOT 2009) Build 4323
720 watts Solar
6V92TA DDEC Silver Engine
2014 Subaru Outback

Re: MCD mechanism upgrade question

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Steve & Michelle –
Quote from: Jeff Savournin –
Ok, you have the generation 3 shades and they are now doing generation 4.  Your generation shades can be retrofitted at MCD for $50 a shade.  Will take at least two days

Personally, I would do them all as the others will probably fail.

So not user-upgradeable, even by someone like Steve?  That's unfortunate.  $50 per shade is  cost-prohibitive, which is very disappointing on shades that are only 2 years old. 

If you hear otherwise on the ability of the customer to do the retrofit themselves, let us know.

M


Will check with shop tomorrow and let you know.....Seems like a got ya to me....Where else you gonna go to get em fixed?  Will "discuss" with them tomorrow and will mention the 1500 members we have on the Foreforum.....:)
We are only strangers until we meet; however, some of us are stranger than others

Re: MCD mechanism upgrade question

Reply #10 –
Hmm. The original shades in our 1997 are still working. I need to renew the velcro sticky stuff for the windshield blinds, and I put new strings on one shade. Had to fix three retractors on the windshield blinds, but Flanagan has done that as a freebie so far. Other shades are OK.

$50 fix on shades only two years old leads to rethinking the hankering for MCD.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: MCD mechanism upgrade question

Reply #11 –
J.D.  Will let them know your thoughts tomorrow morning...I be kool, but they will know a LOT of folks not happy....Dave is very customer oriented. 
We are only strangers until we meet; however, some of us are stranger than others

Re: MCD mechanism upgrade question

Reply #12 –
Bumping this topic to update that we spent the day in McKinney, TX having 7 of our 8 blinds updated to Gen 4 mechanisms.  We'll take #8 out there the next warm and sunny day we have ('cause there's a cheap public golf course right next to MCD which gives us something to do while we wait).  Long story as to why it didn't make it this trip, but they wouldn't have had time to do all 8 in one day, anyway.  It took 8 AM to 4:30 PM to do the 7.

Yeah, it did cost $25/roll (or $50/blind for American Duo) but Charlie at MCD pointed out to Steve some advantages of the Gen 4 such as easier adjustment on stops and speed (no need to remove the blinds to do so) and, should the component that controls speed ever fail, like 3 or 4 our our previous Gen ones have), it's a simple $3-4 replacement part once out of the 1 year warranty that each mechanism has.

When we reinstall the blinds will see if any minor adjustments to the wood valences are required for clearance on the new mechanisms.

Michelle
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: MCD mechanism upgrade question

Reply #13 –
Hate to show just how stupid I is, but are you talking about a manual roll up shade or an electric model.  Having  two electric shades, 1 full width windshield and 1 at steps,  that have worked flawless so far, just makes me wonder if mine are involved with the model 4 upgrade requirement ?
 

Re: MCD mechanism upgrade question

Reply #14 –
Dave - these are our manual shades.  No issues with the electrical ones.  You can smile  ;)

Michelle
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320