Window Blinds

Topic: Window Blinds (Read 1253 times) previous topic - next topic

Window Blinds

January 07, 2015, 01:28:23 pm

Has anyone purchased duel roller shades other than MCD, and done the installation themselves? The side windows don't seem to be a problem with MCD. However the windshield seems to be a big deal with them. In talking to them they will sell me the shade but the person at MCD said it takes about a month to go through the process and a bunch of email and phone calls. The dealer here in Florida wants 4-$600.00 just for the install of the front shade plus an hour per side window x 6 and it will take 2 trips over there to get it done along with they don't do them on Saturdays. It just seems like to me $100.00 and hour is pretty steep for (non mechanical) Labor.

Re: Window Blinds

Reply #1 – January 07, 2015, 02:33:43 pm

$100 an hour for any labor is not terrible....and install shades is skilled.

Let's see, look up what workman's comp cost. Oh yeah, you got FICA...or if one man show, "self employment tax" (15%). Throw in insurance, business licenses, vehicle insurance, cost of tools, environmental compliance....if the person is an employee, OSHA compliance.

Or you could just hire somebody off the street and pay them $25 an hour cash. They might know what they are doing.

Re: Window Blinds

Reply #2 – January 07, 2015, 02:47:14 pm

MCD installed the eight day/night manual window shades on our 2004 U270 36 for $200. Labor is $95 per hour. We did not have the front window installed because we already had electric front shades. The front window is more complicated to install and takes longer. While at the MCD factory we watched others having the front window shade installed. I am guessing about 2 or 3 hours for the install.

Re: Window Blinds

Reply #3 – January 07, 2015, 03:03:25 pm

Also look into AutoMotion. I saw them at the FMCA show in Indio last year, and liked their products. They claim to be more robust than MCD, have additional safety features for windshield shades, and offer more design ans decor choices.

Re: Window Blinds

Reply #4 – January 07, 2015, 03:20:05 pm

I used MCD for my front windows. MCD would not sell me non-motorized units for the windshield. However they would sell the standard units for the side windows, so I ordered a left and right side window double roll shades. I made wood standoffs so that the shades clear the speakers that are up in front of the eyebrow. Each shade assembly is 50" long with a 2" overlap at the center of the windshield. It probably took a half a day to get them up there and secured.

Al

Re: Window Blinds

Reply #5 – January 08, 2015, 12:24:42 am

Options for Front shade...

Any home shade store including Lowe's etc for two light blocking shades with chain clutch to roll up, overlap center.
Or custom home shade store with a single light blocking shade that goes side to side, usually on an oversize roller and clutch chain to open & close.

Re: Window Blinds

Reply #6 – January 08, 2015, 02:31:16 am

Just keep in mind the disastrous consequences in store if the front shade fails and drops down while driving. This is why MCD requires professional installation, and AutoMotion has so many safety features incorporated in their front shades ( if they fail, they are designed to fail in the up position)

Re: Window Blinds

Reply #7 – January 08, 2015, 05:54:11 am

Thanks for the replies, I'll take a look at AutoMotion, as well as United Shade. I did look at the big box stores but the given the relatively tight space behind the window valances and the clutch chain flopping around, I passed on them. Yes I am aware of the installation of the front powered shade's electrical needs (ignition lock out and so on). Al I like your idea, a lot of times depending how you are parked it would be nice to block out only one side in the afternoon sun. About the only time we completely close the front shade is when we go to bed, our little Yorkie "guard dog" likes to keep an eye on things from the dash board.

Re: Window Blinds

Reply #8 – January 08, 2015, 08:37:29 am

I put in our MCD shades for the front windshield. MCD doesn't require professional installation but it does require some significant contortions to get the mounting clips installed. And a second set of hands too. But the wiring is not difficult. An ignition control wire is already in the space above the dash, it is what keeps the TV from being on while driving. It is just a 12v line that is energized when the ignition is on. If you are handy go for it. If not let someone else do it.

Roger

Re: Window Blinds

Reply #9 – January 08, 2015, 09:43:29 am

MCD did our front shades. I don't remember making two trips but perhaps we did.

Ours is one piece all the way across and I'm very happy with it. It has been a lifesaver driving into the west sun a few times. It's nice to control it from the drivers seat.

Installation was well done. The young men who did it were professional and courteous.

I learned our TV was Internet enabled when I turned on the TV after they finished and saw Pandora streaming from the factories wifi. 😊

Re: Window Blinds

Reply #10 – January 08, 2015, 10:47:32 am

We have the manual plastic chain on the driver's side to raise and lower night shade, which can reached from driver's position to block sun while moving. Chain is out of the way, doesn't flop and has been fine for the last 8 years.
We have manual MCD shades on all side windows and they are part of our "best thing we ever did to improve our way of life in our coach" list. We kept our bedroom drapes and also added day & night behind them.
But MCD has a stubborn-insistence that they know what is best for your coach, and may argue with you if you want to do it your way, so just be aware and you can work with them.
They wanted to roll day shade toward window, which is correct, but wanted to roll night toward interior, which prevents full use of window ledges.
They also insist on pulling front shade straight down, which blocks use of dash when shade is down.
We parked at their place for almost a week. They made our shades and we installed them, which is much easier because we don't have slides, which usually have an BEHIND cabinet mounting. Ours mount UNDER cabinets.
MCD now has a lower price point shade, but I don't know what is different. I don't think I would want a different type of day shade material, as ours gives up good sun & privacy protection while being able to fully see outside.

Re: Window Blinds

Reply #11 – January 09, 2015, 05:32:02 am

On the way to the Tampa show going to stop by Wade RV located at Lazydays. They are going to measure and price the bilnds, they make then on site, we'll see how that goes.

Re: Window Blinds

Reply #12 – January 09, 2015, 10:14:47 am

Bruce,
Be sure and post your opinion on Wade after your visit. Always good to hear about other products.

Re: Window Blinds

Reply #13 – January 09, 2015, 10:54:21 am

What would one expect to pay for front shade on 98 u270? I am just trying to budget.

Re: Window Blinds

Reply #14 – January 09, 2015, 03:30:18 pm

John, MCD's web site says $750.00 for an electric duel front shade 2-4 hours labor to install @ $100.00 per is what I have been quoted.

Re: Window Blinds

Reply #15 – January 10, 2015, 12:19:01 am

MCDs lower priced shade, the "Gold" model if I recall is all the same as the more expensive shade except for the day shade which has a slightly less level of sun blocking. We went with the Gold model since it was appreciably less money and we didn't think we needed quite as high a sun block level way up north. Last winter down south it seemed to us to work very well. Good sun block and privacy. If Inwas in TX or AZ all the time I probably would have gone for the higher sun block.

Roger

Re: Window Blinds

Reply #16 – January 10, 2015, 09:36:32 am

Believe they are discontinuing the " Gold" model

Re: Window Blinds

Reply #17 – January 10, 2015, 10:45:30 am

I had gold line installed. 4 hours install plus supplies $1,100. Would do it again, they are also a great sun visor.

Larry
1998 U 270

Re: Window Blinds

Reply #18 – January 10, 2015, 11:29:53 am

Quote from: Larry Bradley – January 10, 2015, 10:45:30 am

I had gold line installed. 4 hours install plus supplies $1,100. Would do it again, they are also a great sun visor.

Larry
1998 U 270

long ago lowering blinds in the windshield were illegal in some areas. so much so that some bus conversions were wired to a radar detector that upon sensing a radar unit would roll up a partially down windshield screen. a few failures that blocked the drivers view is why

Re: Window Blinds

Reply #19 – January 19, 2015, 08:55:10 pm

Met up with Wade RV last Thursday morning at Lazydaze. They where on time and pricing was prompt and competitive. However we ordered day/night shades from elsewhere, and will install them myself as we will have the valances off for recovering anyway. We'll see how it goes in about 3 weeks.

Re: Window Blinds

Reply #20 – February 04, 2015, 07:37:52 am

Ordered new shades from "The Blind Man" at the Tampa RV show for 6 windows and the windshield all manual. We received them yesterday. They use the same mountings as MCD, installation is straight forward no big deal, removing the window dressings and old shades takes longer than installing the new shades. Installation tip get you an about 8" magnetic extension for your square and phillips driver bits makes life much easier. Now if doing some recovering on the window valances be prepared for some serious staple removal, the folks in the FT upholstery shop must get paid by the pound for staple installation. 402 staples in 2 24" side pieces

Re: Window Blinds

Reply #21 – February 08, 2015, 08:36:12 pm

6 new side window shades installed. Removed the staples from 3 of the top valances.

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