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DonnaB · 10-09-2007, 03:43 AM

We have a 2007 Dutch Star and the front windshield and both driver and passenger window areas have a pull down shade in place of the old curtains that draw across the area to provide privacy. The shades are great and I have thought a big improvement over the pleated curtain.

However.....a couple of days ago we were driving on a rather rough road in rural Ohio when we heard an odd sound, looked at each other and said "what was that?" We couldn't find the cause and continued on. Suddenly the shade at the passenger side window came rolling down, permanently. That sound was apparently the spring springing. We got off the road as quickly as we could and had to roll up and remove the shade. Have since tried to repair, but although we are able to rewind the spring, there isn't any way to hold it in the tensioned position. So guessing the fix is a new one.

The scary thing about this is....what if this same thing happens with the front shade? We were parked next to someone at Newmar the first of September that was trying to tell me this had happened to them, but I didn't clearly understand the issue. Now I really do. When it comes down, there is no rolling it back up except in a completely manual mode and in the mean time, you are blind...oh, while driving at 45 or 60 or 70 or whatever speed you are driving. It takes many valuable seconds to remove a seatbelt and get to the front windshield (the co-pilot) while the driver is trying to figure out how to stop when he/she can't see the road. And if they hit the brakes too hard, they might throw the helper into (thru) the windshield. Everyone would be in panic mode.

Just food for thought. Make a plan before it happens.

DonnaB · 10-09-2007, 03:43 AM

We have a 2007 Dutch Star and the front windshield and both driver and passenger window areas have a pull down shade in place of the old curtains that draw across the area to provide privacy. The shades are great and I have thought a big improvement over the pleated curtain.

However.....a couple of days ago we were driving on a rather rough road in rural Ohio when we heard an odd sound, looked at each other and said "what was that?" We couldn't find the cause and continued on. Suddenly the shade at the passenger side window came rolling down, permanently. That sound was apparently the spring springing. We got off the road as quickly as we could and had to roll up and remove the shade. Have since tried to repair, but although we are able to rewind the spring, there isn't any way to hold it in the tensioned position. So guessing the fix is a new one.

The scary thing about this is....what if this same thing happens with the front shade? We were parked next to someone at Newmar the first of September that was trying to tell me this had happened to them, but I didn't clearly understand the issue. Now I really do. When it comes down, there is no rolling it back up except in a completely manual mode and in the mean time, you are blind...oh, while driving at 45 or 60 or 70 or whatever speed you are driving. It takes many valuable seconds to remove a seatbelt and get to the front windshield (the co-pilot) while the driver is trying to figure out how to stop when he/she can't see the road. And if they hit the brakes too hard, they might throw the helper into (thru) the windshield. Everyone would be in panic mode.

Just food for thought. Make a plan before it happens.

Dav5942 · 10-09-2007, 04:04 AM

I'll bet its the same OEM that made our manual and automatic shades! We have already replaced three of them. Another cost reduction/price increase!

Route 66 · 10-09-2007, 04:12 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">We were parked next to someone at Newmar the first of September that was trying to tell me this had happened to them </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I talked to those folks also, and I'm aware how critical this could be if it is the front shade.

I travel alone and would have no one to help with the front shade.

I'm thinking of a bracket of some sort to prevent the front shade to falling while traveling.

Bob had his front shade fall completely when he was parked while he was operating it. It's powered.

In that case the mounting bracket failed and the entire shade fell.

Ecker · 10-09-2007, 06:54 AM

Maybe modify one of these glass suction cups to hold it up JIC

http://www.nextag.com/glass-suction-cup/search-html

rebelsbeach · 10-09-2007, 07:11 AM

IRT to the front shade, Jason called this morning and they replaced the shade entirely and beefed up the mounts.

I've also had the same scenario where I had to hold up the driver's side shade as it wouldn't retract....It was wild, as I was actually pulling into Camp Newmar in July when this happened.

pstroke · 10-09-2007, 02:05 PM

My passenger side shade is broken as well. I just roll it up manually and use the velcro that they installed as a cushion to hold in place until I can find time to take it to the dealer for this and several other minor fixes.

"007" · 10-09-2007, 02:30 PM

Who makes these auto shades was going to install some now I wonder if it worth the trouble.

OldHiker · 10-10-2007, 07:15 PM

My FRONT shade was just replaced this week. It did fall and almost blocked my vision. DW had to jump up and hit the button way over my head to wind it back up.

A little scary.

Cruzer · 10-11-2007, 03:45 AM

Couple of questions:

Are these shades that are failing all the manual units or are they the powered units?

Are these made by MCD (Motor Coach Designs)?

The reason I ask is because Tiffin began using them on the Allegro Bus in the 2008 model year. They use the dual shades, which have the black mesh for solar filtering and a solid pane for privacy. They use manual ones in the main coach area but the front cockpit shades are all power operated. So far I haven't heard of any shades crashing down. Then again, it's early in the model run.

There have been a few instances where Tiffin wasn't setting up the tension on the manual rollers properly but MCD has been an awesome company to work with and the President has been fielding questions on the TiffinRVnetwork forum and taking care of things as needed. We plan on adding them to our 2007 Bus, which still has the drapes and power Carefree shades that have a big gap in the middle and off to the edges - which is always where the sun wants to shine in your eyes.

Route 66 · 10-11-2007, 04:16 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Are these made by MCD </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I believe the shades are the AMERICAN SOLO® COCKPIT SHADE SYSTEM by MCD.

I believe most have been the manual version.

OldHiker · 10-11-2007, 04:28 AM

I have six electric shades - 3 that are privacy shades, the front one is the one that dropped on me, and 3 sun filtering shades. The filtering shades are controlled from the drivers and passenger seats. The privacy controls are located above the driver. To high to reach when seated. That's why my DW had to get up to reach the control.

Route 66 · 10-11-2007, 04:32 AM

Since this can cause an accident, perhaps those that have had failures should report these cases to the NHTSA for investigation and possible recall.

rebelsbeach · 10-11-2007, 05:12 AM

First to clarify my own front shade experience....My front shade fell.....brackets and all and DID NOT unroll. It was more a bad mounting situation and not the unrolling of the shade.
My side window experience was not the privacy shade,but the side visor which is mesh.
The LADB had those scissor visors which were junk and I'm relatively certain that as a result of my experience with them, any other LADB that hits the service center will have the scissor ones replaced...
My visors are now just regular roll up ones...

I also find it weird that these front shades are coming down, since I know my own front shade will NOT move with the key on.....weird.

Not sure an NHTSA recall would be necessary...