Snaps on the front for windshield cover

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Snaps on the front for windshield cover

January 17, 2013, 01:00:36 pm

I have noticed a number of coaches' pics showing the male half of snaps above and below the side windows and one below the center of the windshield. How were the windshield covers put on with these snaps? Were covers optional from FOT? Does anyone still use these snaps?
We have the aforementioned snaps in the same location but, without carrying a ladder (or 2) along, putting on the cover must be a real pain.
Anyone have a picture of the cover--mounted? Their method of installation?
The snaps on our coach have intrigued me from day one as I just couldn't see any way one person could put a cover on without a lot of frustration.

Re: Snaps on the front for windshield cover

Reply #1 – January 17, 2013, 01:23:09 pm

Yes, the sunshades do require a stepladder for George to put them on (he does it without my help, since I'm usually inside, setting up while he is outside doing the same), but they are well worth the effort. I'm assuming the photo below is what you are talking about.

I posted about the company and installation about a year and a half ago - here's the thread: new sunshades - what a difference!

The selected media item is not currently available.

Re: Snaps on the front for windshield cover

Reply #2 – January 17, 2013, 01:42:37 pm

There are several other brands that can be installed without a ladder available both on line and through distributors. Just take a look in the back of the FMCA's Family Motor Coaching magazine or do a on line search. Mine are inside, so no ladder is needed. Both inside and outside have pros and cons.

Re: Snaps on the front for windshield cover

Reply #3 – January 17, 2013, 02:09:13 pm

You're right, Pat, there are others (interior and exterior) with different styles of attachment, each with their own set of pro's and con's. We did look at some others, such as the exterior version that attaches with magnets without the need for a ladder (Magne Shade - Home).

One of our concerns was a good fit that a significant rainstorm wouldn't budge - and we did experience just that in Benson, AZ (ie, horizontal rain - and watching our doormat floating down the river that was the campground street!)... but no problem with the sunshades or the coach! And we liked the idea of stopping the heat effect before it got into the coach (ie, between the window and the interior shade).

Lastly, we already had the windshield, door, and driver side shades installed by the previous owners - so matching those for the rest of the windows factored into our decision as well. The MCD shades we've seen in friends' coaches are excellent and wonderfully convenient (but unfortunately, the "thinness" of our wallet precluded such a decision!

Re: Snaps on the front for windshield cover

Reply #4 – January 17, 2013, 09:45:00 pm

UH, Pat, our coach is the '89 Grand Villa with the very slanted windshield so your pic doesn't quite show how the covers fit on our coach and what a pain it would be to put on. I appreciate how supernice yours look but was hoping someone with a coach like ours would chime in. Thanks

Re: Snaps on the front for windshield cover

Reply #5 – January 17, 2013, 11:02:05 pm

My coach is like yours with outside snaps. I carry a 2 step kitchen ladder, easy to store and tall enough for most of the intended needs around the coach. I remove my cover from the ground, starting on the driver's side, just unsnapping the bottom, and sort of popping the top loose. Then I roll the cover, passing the mirror, popping the center snap and the top snap with the rolled shade. I sort of tighten the roll as I go, passing the second mirror till I can unsnap the passenger side snaps. Installing is done with the ladder, at the top passenger side snap, then bottom, unrolling over the mirror, across the windshield, and use the step ladder to step up on the bumper to reach the top center snap, then the bottom snap. I lay the wipers on top of the shade, step down, unroll the last, step ladder to reach the top and bottom on the drivers side. Always worth the time for a cooler interior and the day time privacy.

Re: Snaps on the front for windshield cover

Reply #6 – January 17, 2013, 11:10:19 pm

Oh my, Nitehawk.... I only saw the (obviously) purring cat on your arm in your avatar, and didn't notice the "Grand Villa" in your signature! Oops (my face is as red as your jacket!).

Re: Snaps on the front for windshield cover

Reply #7 – January 18, 2013, 10:31:12 am

UH, Patricia, Rocket says not to worry. HE can understand how your eyes would naturally gravitate to someone as handsome as him.

But, I am wondering why we don't have a center top snap , and would still like to see a pic of a GV windshield cover installed.

Re: Snaps on the front for windshield cover

Reply #8 – January 18, 2013, 11:18:02 am

Magne shade, Magne Shade - Home, will make a front shade for a Gran Villa. Got a quote from them a while ago, think it was in the $700 range. No snaps they use magnets. I am leaning in that direction AFTER we replace the windshield.

Roland

Re: Snaps on the front for windshield cover

Reply #9 – January 18, 2013, 01:14:13 pm

Roland, living and camping, for the most part, in Wiaconsin where we have lots and lots and lots of trees that give plenty of shade I think I would rather spend $700 on fuel instead. But thanks for the info.

Norm

Re: Snaps on the front for windshield cover

Reply #10 – January 18, 2013, 02:07:54 pm

I still have and use what I believe to be the original sun shade. To install I drape the shade over the mirror on the drivers side. Then have the DW open the drivers window from inside the coach and hand the corner with the upper snap on it to her. She then fumbles around blindly with her hand out the window until she finds the snap and snaps it in place. Usually about a 30 second job. I then snap in the lower snap and move to the front of the coach, snap the lower snap in place. (I don't have an upper snap over the window) Finally repeat the hand off to DW on the passenger side and she snaps in the upper and I snap in the lower. No step ladder required. I've even done it by myself this way but it does require several trips into the coach and then back out to complete.

see ya
ken

Re: Snaps on the front for windshield cover

Reply #11 – January 18, 2013, 04:43:18 pm

Thanks Ken, I kinda thought that would be the way to do it without using a ladder. But, why no top center snap?
What is the material yours is made of? I would think the sun's heat would cause vinyl with fabric backing to elongate a bit.
We had a vinyl/fabric windshield cover for our class C. Problem was the previous owner put it away wet. We could ALWAYS tell when it was along just by the mildew odor. Tried every remedy but smell remained.

Re: Snaps on the front for windshield cover

Reply #12 – January 19, 2013, 12:46:09 am

Quote

But, why no top center snap?

It's not needed. The screen is held in place by the snap on the drivers & passengers side. It's held fine in 80mph winds but I don't recommend driving with it in place...

Quote

What is the material yours is made of? I would think the sun's heat would cause vinyl with fabric backing to elongate a bit.

I believe it made of some kind of vinyl but there is no fabric backing. You can see out from inside the coach but can't see in from the outside. The visibility seeing out is greatly diminished. If there is any view worth seeing out the windshield we generally don't put the screen up. The exception would be when the temps get too high. The screen does help keep the coach cooler.

I never put it away when wet. It only takes 15-20 minutes or so in the sun to dry. If I have to stow wet I pull out as soon as I can and rinse then dry then stow again.

I'm out of town until Sunday. When I get back I'll post some pictures of my cover for you.

see ya
ken

Re: Snaps on the front for windshield cover

Reply #13 – January 19, 2013, 08:22:24 am

My cover too is a mesh material, drains well, drys after a rain, and see thru, so it is different from your class c cover that sounded like a storage cover. I would not want a cover we could not see thru when camped.

Re: Snaps on the front for windshield cover

Reply #14 – January 19, 2013, 09:01:14 am

Thanks Ken & Dave. Is there a manufacturer's tag? Or did it come with the coach?

Re: Snaps on the front for windshield cover

Reply #15 – January 19, 2013, 09:42:55 am

Came with the used coach, and funny but I did see there is a brand name, which I read and forgot last Friday when I was taking it off. Do remember the company was in AZ. I really don't see much need for the top snap and don't always make sure to snap it. The material is stiff enough to easily roll and "stands up" on the sloped windshields. I will get the brand name when next at the coach and send it to you. Most likely it will be one of the companies listed in the RV magazine ads.

Re: Snaps on the front for windshield cover

Reply #16 – January 19, 2013, 10:34:24 am

Thanks, Dave

Our coach is stored about 17 miles away and we won't be getting it out until the first week in April. I am interested in researching the cover. Whether I would ever get one? Who knows?

Re: Snaps on the front for windshield cover

Reply #17 – January 19, 2013, 03:45:39 pm

Mine is just as Dave and Dolly and Ken descripted. It has has two snaps on each side. I can fasten the top two w/o a ladder, but I am 6'3". I believe that these probably came with the coach new. I would call FOT and see if they don't have one in stock. They had a rear bumper for my "91 so they must have a good inventory of items for the old coaches.
Just a thought.
Jerry

Re: Snaps on the front for windshield cover

Reply #18 – January 22, 2013, 02:24:48 pm

Nighthawk,
I pulled my cover out today and put it on. The manufactor is Sun Ray in Portland, OR. Phone number on cover is 800-829-7212 but this is probably a 1991 number. I found no website on the internet but there is a Sun Ray Sunscreen Co. listed in Portland.
Jerry

Re: Snaps on the front for windshield cover

Reply #19 – January 22, 2013, 02:52:27 pm

Just remembered I promised some photos... Didn't find any tags or labels identifying the manufacturer.

see ya
ken

Re: Snaps on the front for windshield cover

Reply #20 – January 22, 2013, 03:03:09 pm

Thanks for the looking for labels and the photos, Ken.

Jerry, I am vertically challenged to the tune of 5'10" with correspondingly length arms so I would have to use a vertical equilizer or have the DW snap the upper snaps from the inside.

Thanks, Norm

Re: Snaps on the front for windshield cover

Reply #21 – January 22, 2013, 03:15:55 pm

Ken,

Might I suggest that you not fold your cover, but roll it as you remove it. The folds are likely to weaken the fabric, and rolling might put less stress on the fabric. Rolling it up to store also makes it easy to keep off the ground. I unroll mine as I move around the front of the coach, always from the passenger side to the driver side. As a roll it is stiff enough to stay on the sloped windshield in a wind.

Re: Snaps on the front for windshield cover

Reply #22 – January 22, 2013, 03:24:18 pm

@Dave Thanks I'll try rolling next time. It was folded when I purchased the coach and I've been doing it for the last 2 years and don't see any sign of stress wear yet. It is 20 years old though so less stress = better.

see ya
ken

Re: Snaps on the front for windshield cover

Reply #23 – January 23, 2013, 08:11:50 am

Hey Ken, Could you take a picture and post it the next time you put the cover on?

Thanks, Norm

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