MOD: Drivers Side Shade

[Dutch Star Don]

When driving early in the morning or late in the afternoon, I often get baked through the lower driver's side window. On my Diplomat, the mirrors were both viewed through the windshield and I could pull the driver's shade down, but that doesn't work with a side mounted mirror like the DS. Last week I had to use a pillow to block the heat.

I found these Tesla shades on Amazon. They're designed to be pulled up, not down. They're overall casing length is 24" with a 21.5" screen shade.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I ordered the shades (2 pack) hoping they would sit/fit atop the black plastic window cover at the base of the driver's window. They were about a 1/4" too long for a perfect fit. On both ends of the shade, there is a hole that is not used for anything. It's on the side of the shade, closest to the window. I took a Dremel and cut the plastic around this hole out (basically notching the corner). It now fit perfectly into the window frame and squarely and flush on the plastic base at the bottom of the window.

The only complaint people had about this shade was the 3M Velcro did not stay put in the heat. Many used two sided tape instead. I removed the Velcro and foam on the bottom of the shade and put on two sided tape the length of the shade. You can see the difference in the two photos.



I removed the clip that comes with the shade, (designed to be attached to the top of the window and lifts the shade up and down with the window). You can use this clip and operate the shade as designed. Instead, I wanted to only put the shade up when needed. I added a suction cup using a cable hold down and screw. Now I could lift the shade up and attach, high enough, so there was no light between the pull down MCD shade and the one I added. If I needed to quickly lower the shade, I just released the suction cup.

Sorry the pictures are a little dark, but the shade melds into the plastic base so well, that it's hard to photograph. I may try some additional photos this evening.

[DutchStar JK]

Originally Posted by Dutch Star Don

When driving early in the morning or late in the afternoon, I often get baked through the lower driver's side window. On my Diplomat, the mirrors were both viewed through the windshield and I could pull the driver's shade down, but that doesn't work with a side mounted mirror like the DS. Last week I had to use a pillow to block the heat.

I found these Tesla shades on Amazon. They're designed to be pulled up, not down. They're overall casing length is 24" with a 21.5" screen shade.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I ordered the shades (2 pack) hoping they would sit/fit atop the black plastic window cover at the base of the driver's window. They were about a 1/4" too long for a perfect fit. On both ends of the shade, there is a hole that is not used for anything. It's on the side of the shade, closest to the window. I took a Dremel and cut the plastic around this hole out (basically notching the corner). It now fit perfectly into the window frame and squarely and flush on the plastic base at the bottom of the window.

The only complaint people had about this shade was the 3M Velcro did not stay put in the heat. Many used two sided tape instead. I removed the Velcro and foam on the bottom of the shade and put on two sided tape the length of the shade. You can see the difference in the two photos.

Attachment 250779

I removed the clip that comes with the shade, (designed to be attached to the top of the window and lifts the shade up and down with the window). You can use this clip and operate the shade as designed. Instead, I wanted to only put the shade up when needed. I added a suction cup using a cable hold down and screw. Now I could lift the shade up and attach, high enough, so there was no light between the pull down MCD shade and the one I added. If I needed to quickly lower the shade, I just released the suction cup.

Sorry the pictures are a little dark, but the shade melds into the plastic base so well, that it's hard to photograph. I may try some additional photos this evening.

Attachment 250780

Attachment 250781

Attachment 250782

Attachment 250784

Attachment 250785

Wow! Great idea. Just ordered it. Thanks Don.

[lenny-shawna]

Originally Posted by Dutch Star Don

When driving early in the morning or late in the afternoon, I often get baked through the lower driver's side window. On my Diplomat, the mirrors were both viewed through the windshield and I could pull the driver's shade down, but that doesn't work with a side mounted mirror like the DS. Last week I had to use a pillow to block the heat.

I found these Tesla shades on Amazon. They're designed to be pulled up, not down. They're overall casing length is 24" with a 21.5" screen shade.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I ordered the shades (2 pack) hoping they would sit/fit atop the black plastic window cover at the base of the driver's window. They were about a 1/4" too long for a perfect fit. On both ends of the shade, there is a hole that is not used for anything. It's on the side of the shade, closest to the window. I took a Dremel and cut the plastic around this hole out (basically notching the corner). It now fit perfectly into the window frame and squarely and flush on the plastic base at the bottom of the window.

The only complaint people had about this shade was the 3M Velcro did not stay put in the heat. Many used two sided tape instead. I removed the Velcro and foam on the bottom of the shade and put on two sided tape the length of the shade. You can see the difference in the two photos.

Attachment 250779

I removed the clip that comes with the shade, (designed to be attached to the top of the window and lifts the shade up and down with the window). You can use this clip and operate the shade as designed. Instead, I wanted to only put the shade up when needed. I added a suction cup using a cable hold down and screw. Now I could lift the shade up and attach, high enough, so there was no light between the pull down MCD shade and the one I added. If I needed to quickly lower the shade, I just released the suction cup.

Sorry the pictures are a little dark, but the shade melds into the plastic base so well, that it's hard to photograph. I may try some additional photos this evening.

Attachment 250780

Attachment 250781

Attachment 250782

Attachment 250784

Attachment 250785

Hi Don,
I know first hand what your are talking about since I live in South FL. On all my vehicles including my DS I had ALL the windows tinted regardless if there was factory tint or not. Tinting the front windshield has the most effect and also blocks most of the glare as well. The tint on the front window is the least tinted and has no negative night driving effect.

The entire coach stays cooler and I have protection against the harmful UV rays. I also have and use Magma Shades for the drivers, front, door and passenger window for added protection.

The tinting cost me around $650.00 for the entire coach and worth every penny.

Good luck and stay cool

[grindstone01]

I've had good luck using these cheap window shades from Walmart. They can be twisted around to leave a hole in the DR side window and tuck the shade edge under the window rubber seal to keep it in place.

[RJ51]

Nice, looks like it's factory installed.
Time to spend more money.

[Dutch Star Don]

Here is a better photo (at night) of the shade. It melds in pretty well with the window base.

[CaptainGizmo]

Looks perfect, Don...as expected.

Kinda curious, though, hasn’t anyone been able to bypass the lockout that stops the factory shade halfway; such as just using the MCS remote to lower the DS Day shade?

[DutchStar JK]

Originally Posted by CaptainGizmo

Looks perfect, Don...as expected.

Kinda curious, though, hasn’t anyone been able to bypass the lockout that stops the factory shade halfway; such as just using the MCS remote to lower the DS Day shade?

I don't think I would want to bypass because doesn't the factory shade also cover the forward window which would interfere with the side mirror view?

[Dutch Star Don]

I wish my DS had both mirrors mounted on the front of the coach so you could see them through the windshield. Like I said earlier, my Monaco Diplomat had the mirrors mounted on the front and when driving on the freeway, I could close the driver's shade and see what I needed to see through the windshield.

I have manual shades on my DS, but I don't want it down so that I'm looking through a shade at the mirror. I think that would be dangerous. With the windshield shades set low, the driver's night shade pulled down to the top of the mirror and the added sunshade, it really helps to keep the temps down.

I understand the tinting of windows, but as I get older, I don't want them tinted, especially at night. The oval collapsible screens are good to, but you still have to figure a way to make them stay up in place.

[joes2901]

Dutch Star Don, has Newmar crippled the power MCD shades so you cannot lower the sun screen to cover the driver side window and the night shade to the top of the mirror when driving?

Has the ability to adjust the screens and shades been removed?
After Redlands Truck and RV installed powered cockpit MCD Platinum shades they were adjusted by small switches plugged into the wires projecting from the motor end of the shades and a procedure enabled the amount of shading when driving. I guess I am spoiled by getting the retail MCDs vs Newmar's lowest priced bargain shades.
Since the 2012 powered MCD install, I can drive N/B I-15 without the Western Sun BBQing my arm.
LASD Class 99.

[Stuart W]

Originally Posted by CaptainGizmo

Looks perfect, Don...as expected.

Kinda curious, though, hasn’t anyone been able to bypass the lockout that stops the factory shade halfway; such as just using the MCS remote to lower the DS Day shade?

Yes I have, ordered manual shades[emoji6]

[CaptainGizmo]

Joes2901,

While driving, the Dash Switches will only lower half way for:
- the DS and PS Day Shades.
- the Front Day and Night shades.

The DS and PS Night Shades can ONLY be lowered half way via the remote while driving; and can be lowered all the way when stopped.

[Dutch Star Don]

I didn't order my coach with the power MCD shades, so I can lower my side (driver's shade to wherever I want. When hot, I lower the day and night shade to the top of the mirror, but I still get baked through the power driver's window, hence the installation of the shade.

[jerry davis]

Originally Posted by CaptainGizmo

Looks perfect, Don...as expected.

Kinda curious, though, hasn’t anyone been able to bypass the lockout that stops the factory shade halfway; such as just using the MCS remote to lower the DS Day shade?

I don’t mind the day shade stopping halfway down. But when driving with the sun coming directly in through the ds window I really wanted to be able to lower the night shade as low as possible and still have some usable mirror space. I had a tech at Guaranty RV disable the relay that stopped the night shade from lowering. I now travel with the MCD control in the ds cup holder so I can control the shade as needed. Absolutely necessary in my book.