Skylights with blinds?

[Loren B.]

We are in the planning stages of ordering a new trailer. I like the skylights we have in our current Airstream. Those skylights have horizontal blinds that can be closed to cut out some, but not all, of the light. This feature helps keep the coach cool.
　
During discussions with the manufacturer of our new trailer (New Horizons), I have learned that the skylight vendor that they use does not supply skylights that will accept blinds. New Horizons told me that installing blinds will probably void the skylight warranty because the area above the blinds will get hotter than it was designed for.
　
To make matters worse, we would like total black-out blinds rather than the ones that just filter the light. I would imagine that black-out blinds will make that area even hotter than regular blinds would.
　
Do you know of a manufacturer that makes high-quality skylights that can be blocked to prevent light (hence heat) from entering the coach?
　
Thanks,
– Loren

[W4MBG]

should be ok if you install a maxxair cover over the vent and leave the vent open a bit in the summer.

[Loren B.]

W4MBG,

Thanks for the comment but I don't mean a fan or a vent. Just a skylight. All it does is admit light; you can't open it. The ones in the Airstream are about twice as long as the Fan-Tastic fans.

-- Loren

[zoemorn]

This is from a different post, its not a built-in blind, but it would do the job I'd think.

Vent Covers

course, some blackout cloth, and velcro, snaps, etc would prolly do it to.

[Loren B.]

zoemorn,

That is exactly what the New Horizons guy suggested I use. A previous owner had installed those in our Airstream before we bought it. I took them down, but still have them in the trailer.

To clarify what I need help with: New Horizons can install nice skylights but that skylight manufacturer apparently doesn't recommend using any kind of interior cover because it can cause the skylight itself to heat up.

I'm looking for a skylight that will allow me to install some kind of cover to cut down on the interior heat. I would prefer the horizontal blinds that our Airstream has, because they're easy to use. They are always installed, just like window blinds, and work the same way but horizontally, but the skylight manufacturer won't sanction them.

Thanks for the responses. So far I'm still looking.
-- Loren

[zoemorn]

Hey loren, what is the issue with the skylight warming up- like do they think it will melt or catch the rv on fire or something? :O
seems like if a mfg is creating covers for such a thing, they'd be aware if it was a fire hazard, ha!
or maybe not :O

[MikenAmber]

Loren, Our Coachmen T/T came with a very large skylight about 3' long in the front kitchen area and it was equipped with a sliding blind. We have had it since new (2008) here in the Texas heat and have had no problem with it. You might contact Coachmen and find out where they get them to install in their units. You can check out our photos here on irv2 and should be able to see what I'm talking about.

[Luckiest Dre]

Seems to me that you could install them yourself after you own the trailer. As for the warranty I doubt that it is good for much beyond 1 year. Keeping the blind open during the daytime would take care of the overheating possibility Not much heat being trapped at night.

[Loren B.]

Quote:

Originally Posted by zoemorn Hey loren, what is the issue with the skylight warming up- like do they think it will melt or catch the rv on fire or something? :O seems like if a mfg is creating covers for such a thing, they'd be aware if it was a fire hazard, ha! or maybe not :O

zoemorn,

I agree. If there were a problem with this I would have seen it on our Airstream by now. I think that they may be just covering their behinds in case something should happen.

I don't think that anyone believes this would be a fire hazard. I think the skylight manufacturer is afraid that his plastic might warp or something and then I would come back to him with a warranty claim.

-- Loren

[Loren B.]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikenAmber Loren, Our Coachmen T/T came with a very large skylight about 3' long in the front kitchen area and it was equipped with a sliding blind. We have had it since new (2008) here in the Texas heat and have had no problem with it. You might contact Coachmen and find out where they get them to install in their units. You can check out our photos here on irv2 and should be able to see what I'm talking about.

Mike,


Thanks for that info. I'll see if New Horizons can find out what skylight manufacturer Coachmen uses. Maybe they can use the same ones in our new trailer. The ones in your Coachmen sound exactly like the ones we currently have in our Airstream. The photo you have looks like ours too.


-- Loren

[GaryKD]

Hi Loren B.,
The sky light company is afraid of the sky light imploding into the RV. I've seen this happen quite a few times. It all depends on the sky light manufacturer. You are taking the correct course of action trying to find a sky light that can have blinds inside the RV without imploding into the RV due to not being able to dissipate the heat of the day.

[Paul R. Haller]

I have a Fleetwood Trumph 365BSQS that has large skylights with both blackout and light limiting shades installed. One pull for light limiting and a second pull to slide over the blackout shades and it's installed in the bedroom. Each night I pull the blackout shades so I'm not awakened by bright light streaming into the bedroom at 5 AM. Perhaps a call to fFeetwood might help.The skylights get quite warm but so far no trouble with the shades.
-Paul R. Haller-

[richardcoxid]

Carefree made a blackout skylight retractiable cover about 3' wide! Why do I know? T installed one about 10 years ago.

I think that you could go to a shop that custom makes the old fashioned roll up blind and mount it horizontally with a catch to hold it up.

[Ray,IN]

Carefree skylight shade from RV Upgrades.com
RV Upgrades.com is a sponsor of irv2.com. The owner is the founder of this website.(if my memory is correct)