I've got a Bailey Senator Wyoming and have just pulled the three front blinds down as it got very hot inside. The blinds have the silver reflective material facing outwards. I've also pulled my Helki blind across. The caravan is now lovely and cool inside but I'm just a bit concerned as the blinds feel very hot to touch and I'm just wondering if this could/would damage the windows or their surrounds. I keep my caravan at home and have a south facing garden with very little shade. With the forcast next week to be an absolute scorcher I would welcome anyones comments/recommendations. Thanks
Personally I'd use the curtains, this will stop the light bleaching the cushions, it shouldn't cause the Windows to delaminate from the heat, plus it won't cause the blinds springs to wear out.
We had a motorhome previously and I cut the sunshades used for the windscreens of cars to fit each window and put them in when at home as I understand it doesn't do the blind mechanism any good to be down for long periods. I then read that it's not good to have silver blinds inside because of the heat, as you suggest. We now have a caravan and I draw the curtains when parked up instead, the motorhome had no curtains.
------------- Jean
Sometimes a little rain must fall before you reach a rainbow.
The work will wait while you show the child the rainbow, but the rainbow won't wait while you finish the work.
Oh hell and I thought the whole idea of the metalised blinds was to block the sun out......... What else would they put the coating on them for if not insulation and from what if not the sun?
Motobiman, your right about the insulation effect of the blinds, and for occasional use, ie on campsite, I'm sure they are fine. But I think for long uses like weeks on end when your van isn't in use, the curtains are a much better idea.
Bill Terry - I read on another caravan website forum that the black window seals can warp and need replacing if in direct sun with the blinds down (obviously high temperatures). As I'm new to caravan ownership (and the sun has finally appeared) I was just wondering what everyone else did.
You can have the sunshades down in bright sunlight but they, (Polyplastic advice) recommend opening the window at least onto the first latch to let some of the trapped heat out to prevent damage to the acrylic windows. Similar advice with the Heki.
Dave.
------------- Never argue with an idiot, they will drag you down to their level and beat you on experience.
Mark Twain.
I use the Heki roof light set on third open and pull over fly screen in hot weather also bedroom and toilet with fly screens.
I have never had any problems with windows in all the vans I have owned since 1970's when blinds are down windows set second catch leaving a gap for excess heat to escape.
I have had a great deal of experience with window blind springs some good some bad due to rough usage.
I have stripped down the tension mechanism's and re-tensioned various blinds the worst are the middle blind of the front three.
The ideal setting is when the blind slowly rises up while you just barely retain it.
If it shoots up at 100mph when you let go this is a NoNo
because you can break the tension gears in the top, the spring rarely breaks.
If you have to re-tension you will need a stubby carpenters screwdriver 6mm blade ( type with ball shaped handle) usually on LH side top corner off outer casing you will find two slotted screws one for sun blind(lower)upper for fly screen.
If no tension at all 12 turns to tension ,keep pressure on screwdriver to ensure it stays in slot after pushing in the 3/5mm to dis-engage gears turn clock wise IE towards you when looking at back of blind (DO NOT RELAX hand)
After tensioning keep pressure on screwdriver and slowly ease hand backwards very slight twisting back and forth ever so slightly till you feel teeth engage now you can relax and breath again, (Practise makes perfect)
But before carrying out above if blind raises halfway and stops pull down and move up and down quickly 4/5 times and you may find blind will raise slowly to top of own accord while you just stopping from flying up.
I had to lean the hard way even replacing sun blind in HEKI, so hope above blog will help those that have not had the problem.
I found cheapest supplier of adjusting sprockets etc was Wanda homes South Cave Yorkshire three sets £6,49
If you go to www.leisureshopdirect you can down load exploded view diagrams and change parts for numerous makes/models of roller sun blinds ETC
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Topic: Blinds up or down in full sun!
