Community Forums

Gatesway · 04-23-2021, 04:49 AM

In our 2003 Allure, we have a split windshield and the sides of the glass return 90 degrees to help with visibility. Great concept, but challenging to think about installing a power (or manual) sunscreen or shade to replace the current curtains we have.

The curtains work well, but where we park a lot in the summer, the sun is beating down into the windshield, and closing the curtains blocks our view. I would love a sunscreen but can't seem to figure out how to install one (MCD or other manufacturers).

My thought was to order a screen that we could fasten with velcro or snaps to use instead of the curtains (not remove the curtains) during the summer in the application I mentioned above.

Has anyone tried this? Thoughts?

Thanks!

Smitty77 · 04-23-2021, 07:58 AM

John - We had zero problems with our 04 Allure, built early in the 04 production model line - so content wise it's a hybrid between 03 & 04

! To to a time constraint on lead-times, we went with Automation Shades. Both the See Thru and Black Out. Worked great for the 6-7 years we owned the coach.

If you do not yet have an external windscreen cover - they really help reduce the heat gain thru the windscreen. And it was strange to us, but we were advised that Black was better then Lighter Colors...

All that being said, and yep it will totally block your view, I've seen owner's that will get the silver buble wrap, cut to shape and double them into two layers, and set them up on the dash. Then rolled them up when not in use, and a few placed them on the shelf in the closet for storage.

Best of luck to you,
Smitty

Former owner of 04 Allure 40' High Cascade (A fine machine she was, and is!)

RV-LEDs · 04-23-2021, 09:18 AM

Take a look at Magna Shade for the outside.

DJ55 · 04-23-2021, 09:26 AM

I've seen a couple of owners of CCs the same vintage as ours and yours that added a roller shade for the windshield and in order to make the setup relatively "light proof" on the sides, because of our "wrap around" style windshield, they had wood valences added to the sides. That affects that nice visibility you mentioned. We've decided to stick with our curtains.

We do have external snap-on windshield, driver window, and door window covers made by Wade RV (see RV Products). A previous owner had the snaps installed and the covers made and they work great and we are super happy we have them. The dark, heavy, coated nylon shade screens really help block out the sun but let us still have a nice view out. As Smitty said, using a dark color makes the view out much better, we don't really notice we're looking through a screen.

MagneShade (https://magneshade.com/products/) is another popular choice for external screens that don't require having snaps on your coach.

Jpiland · 04-23-2021, 09:56 AM

I put Shade Pro Legacy electric shades on my front windows. I had to notch the front cabinet to make it fit the way I wanted. I have the Magnea Shade for the outside. Good Luck, Happy Travels

Smitty77 · 04-23-2021, 10:33 PM

Dave made a valid point about the 'compromise' of the driver's and entry door shades 'boxes' impacting the view out of the upper windows. The timing for us was just right, as my DW had all of our window valances down in a refinishing fabric refresh. So we had simple boxes made, and she used the same fabric for the drivers and side doors manual pull down shades. From memory ~5" deep and in height. Which when sitting in the two front chairs, probably resulted in less then 2 1/2" of upwards visibility. Somewhat retainable, by leaning either Left or Right - depending upon the chair and window involved...

To my DW and I, neither side awning boxes were a problem. Well, I did have to remember to bend my head down a tad going out the door, if wearing a ball cap hat!

Best to all,
Smitty

**CountryFit** · 04-24-2021, 10:53 AM

Sun screen really helps. 3 pieces (for windshield, driver side window and the door glass) cut down UV drastically but still allow your looking out.

Gatesway · 04-24-2021, 11:56 AM

Wow, thank you all for such great information. For some reason, I've never seen an exterior screen like these, and I've already ordered one for our coach this morning! Ha!

They gave me options for the screen fabric color (I chose black per Smitty) and then something called a "binding" and there were options for that color as well. I just chose black as well. I could not find anywhere on their site that explained what the binding was.

Again, thanks for the great help!

JG

DJ55 · 04-25-2021, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gatesway

I could not find anywhere on their site that explained what the binding was.

You want the binding. It's the softer fabric around the edge (you can see it in CountryFit's close-up picture) that protects the edge of the screen fabric from getting damaged and from possibly damaging your coach's paint.

Enjoy your new shade screens, they make a big difference!