Blinds in Storage : Open or Closed (1 Viewer)

Bailey58

LIFE MEMBER
Jun 23, 2010
8,805
29,502
Norfolk and Toftir.
Funster No
12,267
MH
Sold
Exp
July 2010 (ex tugger)
Thought I read somewhere long ago they should be left halfway, something to do with the spring tension. Whatever, ours is on the drive and we leave them 3/4 up to keep the sun off the fabric.
 
OP
OP
Cheshirecat57

Cheshirecat57

Free Member
Feb 3, 2018
3,482
5,589
Mid Cheshire
Funster No
52,244
MH
None
Exp
10 years on and off
Thought I read somewhere long ago they should be left halfway, something to do with the spring tension. Whatever, ours is on the drive and we leave them 3/4 up to keep the sun off the fabric.
I thought that as well

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

Derbyshire wanderer

LIFE MEMBER
Mar 30, 2014
1,288
2,388
Derbyshire
Funster No
30,753
MH
C class
Exp
15 years
I have them closed to stop the sun bleaching the fabric but leave a gap so that any heat doesn’t get trapped between the blind and window
 

Riverbankannie

LIFE MEMBER
Mar 11, 2016
10,526
61,516
Bristol
Funster No
41,967
MH
IH 630 RL PVC
Exp
12
I leave most 3/4 closed to prevent sun damage but the cab ones open with an exterior silver screen. The cab ones wont fold back up so easily into their pleats if left in the open pleat position (closed blinds).
 
Sep 10, 2020
340
841
Lancashire
Funster No
75,713
MH
Autograph 69-2
Exp
Moved over to the Dark Side after 16 yrs tugging.
Never had a van more than 5 yrs in bright sunlight so not encountered the problem but I suspect closing them might losen the tension in the springs but in the long term would save the fabrics fading and these fabrics cost more to replace than the cost of retensioning the springs. If you have blinds and curtains, just close curtains. Again, curtains are a cheaper replacement.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
May 7, 2016
7,248
11,730
West Sussex
Funster No
42,951
MH
Carthago Compactline
Exp
Since 2003
I leave mine fully closed to reduce fading. They are thermal blinds with a silvered lining on the outward facing side, this reflects sunlight and radiated heat back out through the window to reduce the heat build up.
 
Apr 19, 2019
2,287
4,842
Funster No
60,021
MH
Carado T339
Exp
5 years
I think open. For 2 reasons

1. If you have pull down blinds the bounce will go out of their bungee if you leave them down as they will be under constant tension

2. If you have concertina blinds that's not an issue, however the sunlight will shorten their life considerably. The concertina blinds do not reflect the uv

The best think would be to use an alternative cover for areas in direct sunlight. Perhaps some internal silver screen type blinds would do. Any other blinds that are not in the sun I would leave open.
 

AXO66

Free Member
Oct 6, 2016
762
4,715
Pembrokeshire
Funster No
45,470
MH
Chasson 510
Exp
2016
Open. Cover the Seats.
Bit of heat in the van warms it, then the heated air escapes through slightly open toilet vent, changes the air. Our chausson has the big open oven vent, so always a trickle of air coming in. Keeps it fresh.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Jul 5, 2013
11,723
13,701
Tunbridge Wells, Tunbridge Wells, UK
Funster No
26,797
MH
A class
Exp
Since 2013
The advice from our dealer when we bought our motorhome was to always keep them open in storage. Two reasons. First is that on warm days (if ever!!) heat can build up between the blind and the window and that can cause damage to blinds, windows and surrounds. Secondly to prevent the gubbins loosing their elasticity.
 

Swifter

LIFE MEMBER
Jul 28, 2020
3,910
9,035
Herefordshire, UK
Funster No
73,605
MH
C Class
Exp
Since 2019
If you leave the blinds open ,the interior of the van will fade in places from the sunlight . If you leave them closed, the blinds tend to lose tension but this is generally cheaper to fix than trying to replace aged and damaged surfaces from the effects of the sun .
 

Bailey58

LIFE MEMBER
Jun 23, 2010
8,805
29,502
Norfolk and Toftir.
Funster No
12,267
MH
Sold
Exp
July 2010 (ex tugger)
Edit. When I said 3/4 up I should have said closed as mine pull up to close. Oh and mine are concertina so no tension problems for me. Are you following me so far? :giggle:

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

Join us or log in to post a reply.

To join in you must be a member of MotorhomeFun

Join MotorhomeFun

Join us, it quick and easy!

Log in

Already a member? Log in here.

Funsters who are viewing this thread

Back
Top