Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: MCD Shades Gold Series (Read 1018 times) previous topic - next topic

MCD Shades Gold Series

We have an appointment in October 2014 to have MCD shades installed in our coach. There appears to be two products, Platinum and Gold series. Can someone tell us the main differences between the Platinum and Gold series. It appears that the Gold series is less expensive than the Platinum, but that is about all I can tell from the MCD website. Thanks.
Larry and Terry
Ex 2004 U270 36'

Re: MCD Shades Gold Series

Reply #1 –
You might also look into automotionshade.  I saw them at the FMCA rally in Indio last January and was impressed.  When it comes time for me to replace my shades, I will more likely go with these instead of MCD.
Tom Lang K6PG (originally  KC6UEC)
and Diane Lang
2003 38 U295 build 6209
2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit Ecodiesel
still have tow-ready 2006 Acura MDX 
Temple City, California
Motorcade 16681 California Chapter President
SKP 16663 member of SKP Park of the Sierra, Coarsegold California
FMCA F071251
Retired electrical and electronic engineer

Re: MCD Shades Gold Series

Reply #2 –
Tom, Thanks for the response.  We are going with MCD Shades for  two reasons. The MCD factory is about 220 miles from where we live and it  is my understanding that Foretravel is installing MCD shades as OEM. Our only decision is which shades, Platinum or Gold Series and the color.
Larry and Terry
Ex 2004 U270 36'

Re: MCD Shades Gold Series

Reply #3 –
We just installed (ourselves) the gold series windshield sun shade/night shade on our 2001 U320. Motors are the same, night shade is the same, controls are the same.  The sun shade on the gold series is a little less opaque (it blocks less sun).  If we lived in TX or FL or AZ we might have gone for the higher blockage but it is a couple hundred $ more.

Great upgrade!  We made wedges for each side as suggested by Bill and Donna.  They work nicely and let the front dash vents function with the shades down. We didn't use velcro or any other attachment method.  They seem to stay in place fine. If you do the wedges you may not need to have the extra flap on the bottom of the shade.  Without the flap, the shade roll up all the way behind the valence.

2014 MCD Windshield Shades

We did notice that the shades make contact with the dash on the pass side before the driver's side.  Maybe a 1/4" or less.  Thus could be adjusted in the install process but I am not taking ours out for that little bit.

Roger
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: MCD Shades Gold Series

Reply #4 –
We just ordered a set of the platinum series. Ask MCD for a set of samples and you will easily see the differences. The main difference is in the day shade - the weave of the gold is a little more open than the platinum. There are also a couple of additional options for the night shade. Four options are the same for both, but platinum has a couple additional ones. There is also a difference of $50. We just ordered one set for now, and I will install them myself. If we're satisfied with what we chose we'll order more. If not, we'll try something different next time. Still MCD, but maybe we'll go with either a different night shade or possibly the gold series.

Re: MCD Shades Gold Series

Reply #5 –
I stopped by MCD in May without an appointment and didn't buy anything, but they were booked anyway.  The night shade materials are the same, but the day shades are slightly different.  The more expensive shades have a better clamped on metal bar at the bottom of the shade.  The Gold if I remember correctly is a piece of wood in a sewn pocket like most window shades.  The personnel at MCD were very helpful and pleasant.
Jerry Whiteaker former owner 96 U270  36' #4831 Austin,TX-Owner Mods LCD TV w/front cabinet rebuild - LCD TV bedroom - Dual Central AC, either can cool coach w 30 amp - Skylights at roof AC openings - Drop ceiling for ducting of AC - Shower skylight white gelcoat/wood/epoxy frame - Air Springs/Shocks replaced - 2014 CRV - 8K Home Solar - Chevy Volt

Re: MCD Shades Gold Series

Reply #6 –
The bottom rod in my Gold series windshield shades (ordered early summer) are both an aluminum heavy walled tube, 1/4" diameter, less than 1/8" inside. If you get the extension at the bottom you will find a stiff string of beads (something like that) but not as stiff as the aluminum.

Roger
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: MCD Shades Gold Series

Reply #7 –
If you are replacing the Day/Night shades with the MCDs you'll like the upgrade.  We are awaiting delivery of new AutoMotion shades for our coach.  Cleaning the Day/Night shades has been, well, not easy, and we've restrung more than we want to.  We think the new materials will look good and be easier to clean when needed.  We were offered a very good deal at the FMCA rally in Redmond, OR. and jumped on it. 
Bob Thomas
Sacramento, CA
Present:  1997 U320 '40
Previous: 1997 U295 '36
Bluegrass fan, and festival emcee

Re: MCD Shades Gold Series

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Home2fromHastings –
The bottom rod in my Gold series windshield shades (ordered early summer) are both an aluminum heavy walled tube, 1/4" diameter, less than 1/8" inside. If you get the extension at the bottom you will find a stiff string of beads (something like that) but not as stiff as the aluminum.

Roger
Thanks for the correction, I'm glad to hear that it is better than what I thought it was.
Jerry Whiteaker former owner 96 U270  36' #4831 Austin,TX-Owner Mods LCD TV w/front cabinet rebuild - LCD TV bedroom - Dual Central AC, either can cool coach w 30 amp - Skylights at roof AC openings - Drop ceiling for ducting of AC - Shower skylight white gelcoat/wood/epoxy frame - Air Springs/Shocks replaced - 2014 CRV - 8K Home Solar - Chevy Volt

Re: MCD Shades Gold Series

Reply #9 –
Could someone who has the Automotion shades, explain why they bought them instead of MCD. like less expensive?  I looked at the Automotion website and it really doesn't say how the manual roller shades are different from MCD.  If you let go of the shade does it fly up like most shades or is it like the MCD?  It did say that the roller has an adjustable stop.  No way to tell what the fabric is like without a sample.  I suppose I should just contact Automotion for the answers.
Jerry Whiteaker former owner 96 U270  36' #4831 Austin,TX-Owner Mods LCD TV w/front cabinet rebuild - LCD TV bedroom - Dual Central AC, either can cool coach w 30 amp - Skylights at roof AC openings - Drop ceiling for ducting of AC - Shower skylight white gelcoat/wood/epoxy frame - Air Springs/Shocks replaced - 2014 CRV - 8K Home Solar - Chevy Volt

Re: MCD Shades Gold Series

Reply #10 –
 Re the shade deflectors-
 My opinion of them is that they seem like they will change some of the side view ie block some  and wonder why they are needed all the way up screen. If the problem is at the lower level were the "hump" is why not just make a short pair (say 8" high) that move the blind away forward. I could be wrong but see no reason for that long one and the impairing of sight line that looks like is happening.
JohnH
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: MCD Shades Gold Series

Reply #11 –
Hi John,

Our "wedges" are only in when we are using the shades at a campsite.  Otherwise they get stowed. 

I experimented with several variations. In order to block light all the way down it seemed to work best to have a straight line edge for the shade to rest on when it was down.  Having it go down vertically and then forward with a shorter wedge to get it to clear the hump didn't work so well since the shade wanted to stay straight or curved.  I did not try a full length curved piece but that would be an interesting alternative.

My first idea was to have a three piece bottom rod that would lower and be behind two short guides (something like a small thread spool) one at each end and in front of two more guides located at the joints in the rod, one on either side of the set of defroster vents.  Good idea but the shade fabric and night fabric didn't conform the same way and neither in the way I had hoped.  Without being tied down in some way and under some tension they just didn't drape or hang well.

The "wedge idea seems to fit the bill well.  Some adjustment to individual taste is always in order.  A cardboard trial is a great idea and cheap way to try things out.  I made mine from 3/8" baltic birch plywood and covered then with a vinyl fabric similar in color.

Picture is driver's side wedge.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: MCD Shades Gold Series

Reply #12 –
Ok I did not know that they just get used when shades are down. That makes sense then. Now I give you full marks as well as Bill and Donna for this fix. ^.^d
JohnH
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.