day night shades

[artho45]

Still working on our 2002 Montana, trying to get ready for this summer. One of the things we need to do is either take down our day/night shades and clean them, or replace them. So how easy is it to take down clean and replace? How about just taking them down and replacing with regular curtains? How much do you use the shades?
I just priced new ones, and if these can't be cleaned how about replacing them with more like house curtains? Any thoughts?

[DQDick]

Many folks have replaced them with roller shades, mini blinds or shades and most have been happy with that.

[adams7806]

We had day/night shades in our old trailer and hated them. The strings broke on them frequently and they were a pain. We tried to take them down to clean and it was a horrible job. Our new 3160RL has roller shades and they are great. They are so much easier to use and to keep clean. IMO, roller shades would be preferable to regular curtains also.

[CaptnJohn]

Had day/night shades in the past. Although the price is not, they seemed cheap. The Cougar came with roller shades by MCD and the Montana with roller shades by another company. Both are great but like those by MCD better.
My wife has made custom curtains and draperies for years, in the 5er we will stick with the roller blinds.
Install is not difficult. The roller shades in my Montana have a rail that simply clips onto 2 - 3 pieces that are screwed into the wall. Simple including removing and reinstalling the valance. All you need is a drill, everything comes with the blinds.

[Eagleback]

If its the pleated shades that is the discussion here. We love them, we full time and the shades go up in the morning and down every night. That has been the ticket for the last 4 years in this unit with no problem. our last camper had roll up and mini blinds and they always broke after using them day after day. If and when its time to fix or replace the shades i will go with the same thing. we just open and close the shades slowly and it seems to keep them in great shape.

[paulinbaja]

On several units we have made household style curtains. We buy ready made curtains then cut and sew to fit. Making the rods was tricky but worked out well. we used closet rod hangers and 1/2" EMT. Cut 1/2" foam pipe insulation in one inch lengths to fill the closet rod holders and placed the EMT in the center of the foam.

[cpaulsen]

replaced th day/night shade in our older Montana with Levelor pleated from Lowes....made a big difference. Our new Montana has roll up shades.