Evening all just put my second home in to winter storage I have closed all blinds except the two Helki sunroof ones with the belief that any winter sun might put a little warmth in the van am I wasting my time or was it a good idea any feedback would be great
I think the general consensus is to be "blinds up" on my caravan window it also has a little diagram stating blinds up. I used to be blinds down but after a window blew I was told by the local dealer this is a big issue with the blinds down community
Blinds down over time degrades the springs that operate the blinds. The manufacturers recommend that the blinds are left up when the van is not occupied. Some people make cardboard cutouts to put into the windows to keep the sun from fading the furnishings, I remodelled an old set of curtains to fit my windows and use the wires that are used in houses with net curtains to secure them .
------------- Bill
For a licence dated 1997 or later you must add together the plated max weight of the caravan and trailer, if the total is 3500 or less you can tow it. You may even tow a caravan with a MAM greater than the cars unladen mass the restriction was removed in 2013
We always leave the blinds up, with the curtains closed when not using the van, roof blinds closed also. We use ours all year round. The only time we leave the blinds down is if we are going away within a week or two between breaks.
I always leave ours up because like others,I believe the springs can weaken under constant pressure,I also think having dark tinted windows helps to keep the sunlight off the interior furnishings,can anyone confirm this idea,or am I wrong
It does depend on the type of blind you have. If they are the older type with the springs, then leaving them down for long periods can damage the springs. The newer blinds should be left down, as leaving them up can damage the mechanism.
Having said that, you will get people with either type of blinds saying they have left them down/up for years with no issues.
Quote: Originally posted by RTS5 on 30/10/2015
The newer blinds should be left down, as leaving them up can damage the mechanism.
Can you explain further please.
------------- XVI yes?
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
Quote: Originally posted by blueexpo97 on 30/10/2015
Quote: Originally posted by RTS5 on 30/10/2015 The newer blinds should be left down, as leaving them up can damage the mechanism.
Can you explain further please.
I don't have them myself but from what I've read it is the venetian type ones. When you leave them pulled up, you are putting strain on the mechanism at the top from all the weight of the blind being on it. Letting them down takes the weight off and stops any issues.
Ive always had the blinds up with the curtains open.Ive found that the heat from a winters sun shinning through the glass heats up the van inside just hot enough to get rid of condensation
Quote: Originally posted by blueexpo97 on 30/10/2015
Quote: Originally posted by RTS5 on 30/10/2015 The newer blinds should be left down, as leaving them up can damage the mechanism.
Can you explain further please.
I don't have them myself but from what I've read it is the venetian type ones. When you leave them pulled up, you are putting strain on the mechanism at the top from all the weight of the blind being on it. Letting them down takes the weight off and stops any issues.
Mmmmm not sure I put much stock in that. In our van, to enable you to pull the blinds down there is a very slight 'hump' at the top you have to pull it over, so this would suggest that the blind is resting on it.
I must also say the new blinds have next to no weight in them at all.
------------- XVI yes?
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
Quote: Originally posted by blueexpo97 on 30/10/2015
Quote: Originally posted by RTS5 on 30/10/2015
Quote: Originally posted by blueexpo97 on 30/10/2015
Quote: Originally posted by RTS5 on 30/10/2015 The newer blinds should be left down, as leaving them up can damage the mechanism.
Can you explain further please.
I don't have them myself but from what I've read it is the venetian type ones. When you leave them pulled up, you are putting strain on the mechanism at the top from all the weight of the blind being on it. Letting them down takes the weight off and stops any issues.
Mmmmm not sure I put much stock in that. In our van, to enable you to pull the blinds down there is a very slight 'hump' at the top you have to pull it over, so this would suggest that the blind is resting on it.
I must also say the new blinds have next to no weight in them at all.
Sounds reasonable to me that the 'hump' would help take the weight. Like I said I've no personal experience on newer blinds. There was someone on here recently that had been told by an engineer that leaving their blind up had caused it to fail.
Quote: Originally posted by jeff juke on 30/10/2015
Ive always had the blinds up with the curtains open.Ive found that the heat from a winters sun shinning through the glass heats up the van inside just hot enough to get rid of condensation
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Topic: Blinds up or Blinds down
