Community Forums

z32k12 · 11-21-2017, 12:48 PM

We are thinking about having MCD shades installed in our coach and have an estimate. I've found a few recommendations for Auto Motion shades but I find a lot more information on MCD. Looking for recommendations before we drop the $$$.

I'm looking at the dual shades; powered windshield and manual everywhere else.

Don

MSHappyCampers · 11-21-2017, 01:56 PM

Hi Don! We don't have either, but I've read some negative comments about MCD service.

scrowell52 · 11-21-2017, 02:05 PM

I would agree that MCD customer service is not very good. On the orher hand my experiences with Automotion are stellar and they seem to jump through hoops to please.

TeJay · 11-21-2017, 02:07 PM

Our unit (2014) came from the factory with MCD's all around except for the front and I installed those myself. We like them very much and they have worked flawlessly
for these past 4 years. The white shade acts as a good insulator during the cooler months.

Even the front shade (s) which do take extra abuse from the cat and dog trying to view passersby to amuse themselves have not seen much additional wear or fault.

I know nothing about the Auto Motion brand of shade so can't give a comparison. My experience with the MCD costumer service was all positive I wanted to do a self install on the front and they were very helpful.

I did at one time discuss having them installed at the factory in Dallas but decided to do it myself. I do know you can park in their lot and stay until they are ready to do the install.

Spk64 · 11-21-2017, 03:56 PM

I just installed some MCD shades, window shade and cockpit sides.
Communication with MCD was troublesome at times but once I finally got the right contacts it went better. They were very helpful with helping on the self install and making sure we got the correct shades. We have been very happy with the use of the new shades over the old curtain in the front.

Dutch Star Don · 11-22-2017, 11:51 AM

A few years back, I replaced all my shades in my Monaco Diplomat with MCD shades. I also installed a powered MCD windshield shade. I didn't think their quality is all that it was cracked up to be. To of the new shades came with broken internal spring assemblies. Working with MCD for replacement was less than stellar. They all worked well once installed. My sister had Auto Motion installed at about the same time and they worked just as well for quite a bit less.

MCD has the bigger name as they are the RVing industries choice for shades in most RV's.
Knowing what I know now, I would go with Auto Motion. When you look at the internal workings of both, they're the same, nylon gear assembly with a spring.

dons2346 · 11-22-2017, 12:02 PM

We installed MCD shades in the entire coach. One broke in that it would not stay down. Another broke from the attachment point. Called MCD and repair parts not available, the best they would do is sell me another one with a "customer loyalty" discount of a whopping 10%. I only wanted the day shade but had to buy a complete set. No thanks as 10% off of a almost $500 shade is peanuts.

Removed all of the MCDs and installed Auto Motion as replacements. Much better shade, made with heavier and more robust material.

Costly to reinstall shades but after the way I was treated by MCD, it is worth it

**CLIFFTALL** · 11-22-2017, 12:13 PM

I had the Auto Motion power windshield and manual on all others. I liked them.

BillJinOR · 11-22-2017, 12:19 PM

I contacted two major installers, one in IL and one in WA, that use automotion shades It appears they switched from supplying MCD. I had called to get info on a MCD front shade conversion from my existing front curtains. Maybe they did the switch so they will make more money as Automotion gives them a higher profit , I don't know. When I called the comment they both had was Automotion was a better product with better customer support from the factory. Since they no longer sell MCD take it for what its worth.

Hikerdogs · 11-23-2017, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TeJay

Our unit (2014) came from the factory with MCD's all around except for the front and I installed those myself. We like them very much and they have worked flawlessly
for these past 4 years. The white shade acts as a good insulator during the cooler months.

Even the front shade (s) which do take extra abuse from the cat and dog trying to view passersby to amuse themselves have not seen much additional wear or fault.

I know nothing about the Auto Motion brand of shade so can't give a comparison. My experience with the MCD costumer service was all positive I wanted to do a self install on the front and they were very helpful.

I did at one time discuss having them installed at the factory in Dallas but decided to do it myself. I do know you can park in their lot and stay until they are ready to do the install.

Like Tejay our coach also came with MCD shades all around. In our case the front power shade(s) were also factory installed. We've put over 35,000 miles on the coach and camped in it for months at a time. There has never been a problem with any of the shades.

FIRE UP · 11-29-2017, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hikerdogs

Like Tejay our coach also came with MCD shades all around. In our case the front power shade(s) were also factory installed. We've put over 35,000 miles on the coach and camped in it for months at a time. There has never been a problem with any of the shades.

Well,
It's like a lot of other things RV related. It appears that there are some GOOD MCD shades and, some BAD MCD shades. Based on this particular thread, it appears there's MORE bad ones than good ones. And, it also appears (I have no experience to corroborate these statements) that MCDs customer service is less than desired. We've seen this same sort of situations with Emergency Road Service, Camping World, Tires, RV appliances and more. I'm still on the fence as to which way to go. I know I'm just seriously tires of re-stringing blinds. While those blinds are nice WHEN they work, the internal parts, i.e. nylon micro-bushings, string etc., do wear and deform which causes premature wear and, improper operation.

And, if the strings are not tensioned exactly the same on both sides, you get the infamous tilting as different sections are raised. So, each type of window treatments have their pitfalls and attributes.
Scott

dickschaak · 11-29-2017, 10:29 AM

I have Automotion and love them.

deaton · 11-29-2017, 06:34 PM

We retro installed MCD’s on our 08 Monaco in 2012. Took it to the factory in McKinney, TX. No problems.

Traded the Monaco last August. The DS came with electric MCD’s all around.

About three weeks after we got the DS, we went to NKK rally at Sedalia. We told the Newmar Tech Writer that one of the night shades seemed a little balky. They looked up my coach number. ‘Said there was a TSB on the MCD shade motors.

The next morning, two MCD factory techs came out to the coach and proceeded to replace twenty-three shade motors and the remote control.

Everything is working great so far.

z32k12 · 11-29-2017, 06:40 PM

We've decided to go with the MCD shades and so far all my contact with the company has been outstanding. They've answered all my questions promptly and we now have an appointment in January. Their shop is close to our route as we cross from Florida to California so it's a great time to get the work done. I contacted several installers who sell Auto Motion and found the prices to be very similar between the two companies.