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10-14-2019, 02:28 PM
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#1
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Port Clinton
Posts: 64
M.O.C. #24167
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Blind Troubles Continually
Is anyone else having troubles with the blinds on the newer Montana's? We have a 2019 3121RL and the blinds have been our biggest problem and source of much frustration. Up to now the first 3-4 issues were addressed and taken care of under warranty by our dealer. Over this past year 2 have fallen down to the floor during travel, dealer replaced one and I the other. 2 of them did not retract or set properly and were replaced by the dealer, no problem. On 3 of them the bottom rail has come off and I had to re-thread the tube/rail back onto the bottom of the shade. Now the latest issue, I went to lower a shade and with a big bang the shade came rolling down, obviously the spring had sprung. This last one happened just after the MOC rally a week out of warranty and I have it duct taped up at the moment. My questions: 1) is anyone else having these same troubles? and 2) does anyone know of a better quality more reliable aftermarket blind/shade since I'll now have to start paying for the replacements? Thank you in advance for your responses, suggestions, and recommendations. John
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10-14-2019, 02:32 PM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
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MCD shades are very good, but also high dollar.
__________________
Dick, Joyce, Diego, Picatso and Gustav
2017 3720 RL, and 2013 HC 343RL
Pullrite Hitch, IS, Disk Brakes, 3rd AC, Winegard Traveler, Bathroom door mod, Dometic 320, couch for desk swap, replaced chairs, sun screens, added awnings, etc.
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10-14-2019, 04:04 PM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Austin
Posts: 2,419
M.O.C. #21044
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Did you call Irvine shade for help and advice. They can help with the blind mechanisms but the brackets that hold them up in the valences belong to keystone ( so to speak). They have been helpful to me.
__________________
MikenDebbie Aggie ‘77 in the sticks near Austin TX
2019 Chevy 3500 High Country DRW
2018 Montana 3921FB
Aussie Gus + Texas Heeler Jimmy
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10-14-2019, 04:18 PM
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#4
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Port Clinton
Posts: 64
M.O.C. #24167
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mikendebbie
Did you call Irvine shade for help and advice. They can help with the blind mechanisms but the brackets that hold them up in the valences belong to keystone ( so to speak). They have been helpful to me.
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Thank you for the suggestion and I did talk to them at the MOC rally but I thought my troubles were behind me at that point. I agree Keystone fixed the 1 and I the other that fell from the brackets. I’ll look up their number and give them a call, maybe there is a way to rewind sprung blinds. Much appreciate your response!
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10-14-2019, 07:02 PM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Austin
Posts: 2,419
M.O.C. #21044
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I will guess that Irvine will walk you thru taking the springs out to look at them. They have generously sent several folks here new guts for the blinds. What she can’t help with is removing the blind from the valence brackets because those are chosen and installed by keystone.
There was a thread here recently where someone described using a screw driver to pop the blinds out of the brackets but it did not work for me. I would love to see a video to see what the secret is. I tried every angle and got to the point where it was afraid I would break something - so I quit until somebody enlightens me.
__________________
MikenDebbie Aggie ‘77 in the sticks near Austin TX
2019 Chevy 3500 High Country DRW
2018 Montana 3921FB
Aussie Gus + Texas Heeler Jimmy
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10-14-2019, 07:16 PM
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#6
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Port Clinton
Posts: 64
M.O.C. #24167
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mikendebbie
I will guess that Irvine will walk you thru taking the springs out to look at them. They have generously sent several folks here new guts for the blinds. What she can’t help with is removing the blind from the valence brackets because those are chosen and installed by keystone.
There was a thread here recently where someone described using a screw driver to pop the blinds out of the brackets but it did not work for me. I would love to see a video to see what the secret is. I tried every angle and got to the point where it was afraid I would break something - so I quit until somebody enlightens me.
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It’s unfortunate that you’re having much the same trouble but I also feel good that I’m not the only one struggling with the frustration of these new blinds. And you’re absolutely correct, video’s how to fix/replace these blinds would be wonderful. Looking back to the old style aluminum blinds, they didn’t look the best but they always worked and we’re pretty much trouble free. Sometimes new and improved is just a fallacy as in this case.
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10-22-2019, 12:01 PM
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#7
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Oklahoma City
Posts: 171
M.O.C. #23433
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I would love to take those things down and put up mini blinds like our TT had. I hate the fact that the windows are either wide open (if I want light in) or blocked off by the shades if they are down. I would much rather have a mini blind that I can control the light that comes in without the whole window being uncovered so everyone can see in. I think a wood blind or wood "look" blind would look great and probably block out more sun/heat. We have had the bottom rail come off of almost all of our shades. Have to remember to grab them on the sides and not the bottom. Not a fan.
__________________
Troy and Tracy Chaddon
2019 Montana High Country 330RL
2005 Ford F-350 "Bulletproofed"
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10-22-2019, 01:25 PM
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#8
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Port Clinton
Posts: 64
M.O.C. #24167
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Thank you!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Route66Rambler
I would love to take those things down and put up mini blinds like our TT had. I hate the fact that the windows are either wide open (if I want light in) or blocked off by the shades if they are down. I would much rather have a mini blind that I can control the light that comes in without the whole window being uncovered so everyone can see in. I think a wood blind or wood "look" blind would look great and probably block out more sun/heat. We have had the bottom rail come off of almost all of our shades. Have to remember to grab them on the sides and not the bottom. Not a fan.
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I’m sorry to hear of your troubles with the rails falling off, I just had 2 more fall off since I wrote this post along with another blind taped up with duct tape, pretty sorry in such a beautiful camper. The dealer tried to explain to me how to get them down but guess I’m too dumb to figure it out. Thanks for your response, mini blinds might be the best option, agree with you totally after all the trouble with these shades.
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10-27-2019, 01:52 PM
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#9
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Established Member
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: New Baltimore
Posts: 19
M.O.C. #24837
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jeepjrn
Is anyone else having troubles with the blinds on the newer Montana's? We have a 2019 3121RL and the blinds have been our biggest problem and source of much frustration. Up to now the first 3-4 issues were addressed and taken care of under warranty by our dealer. Over this past year 2 have fallen down to the floor during travel, dealer replaced one and I the other. 2 of them did not retract or set properly and were replaced by the dealer, no problem. On 3 of them the bottom rail has come off and I had to re-thread the tube/rail back onto the bottom of the shade. Now the latest issue, I went to lower a shade and with a big bang the shade came rolling down, obviously the spring had sprung. This last one happened just after the MOC rally a week out of warranty and I have it duct taped up at the moment. My questions: 1) is anyone else having these same troubles? and 2) does anyone know of a better quality more reliable aftermarket blind/shade since I'll now have to start paying for the replacements? Thank you in advance for your responses, suggestions, and recommendations. John
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My parents and I both have the same rig as you but the 20th Anniversary Edition. I have no problems with the blinds with the exception of helping them retract. My parents have a few that the pull tabs were coming unstitched. They just had them replaced under warranty.
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10-27-2019, 03:12 PM
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#10
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Montana Master
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Willis
Posts: 896
M.O.C. #20587
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When I was last in the dealer a few weeks ago, I asked the service manager, whom we are close to, what his biggest warranty repair was. Blinds were 2nd under slide motors.
__________________
2018 Montana 3791RD (SOLD)
2017 Ram 3500 DRW 6.7 Cummins Aisin, B&W RVK3600 (SOLD)
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10-27-2019, 04:46 PM
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#11
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Port Clinton
Posts: 64
M.O.C. #24167
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Certainly Believable!
Quote:
Originally Posted by masterdrago
When I was last in the dealer a few weeks ago, I asked the service manager, whom we are close to, what his biggest warranty repair was. Blinds were 2nd under slide motors.
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I can understand that totally, of the 10 blinds I have in my 2019 3121RL, I’ve had trouble with 6 of them, 3 fixed under warranty at the dealer, 2 fixed by myself, and 1 is still wire tied up with no help or assistance from Irvine after one call and one email. Guess it will end up a trip to Menards to maybe match up something close that works! Sad for such an awesome Montana product that cheap blinds ruin and frustrate the experience of ownership. Appreciate your response and information, thank you!
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10-27-2019, 04:52 PM
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#12
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Port Clinton
Posts: 64
M.O.C. #24167
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Thank you!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cushing872
My parents and I both have the same rig as you but the 20th Anniversary Edition. I have no problems with the blinds with the exception of helping them retract. My parents have a few that the pull tabs were coming unstitched. They just had them replaced under warranty.
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It’s good to hear that someone is having better luck then I, I hope it continues for you. We have the 20th Anniversary Edition as well, we totally love it with the exception of all the troubles we continually have with the blinds. Thanks you for your response, that’s good to know it’s not all the blinds.
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10-27-2019, 05:40 PM
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#13
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Port Clinton
Posts: 64
M.O.C. #24167
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Blind Tip
For those whom may unfortunately have blind trouble I’ve found that wire ties work the best, not duct tape, see attached picture.
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10-28-2019, 05:34 AM
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#14
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2003
Location: New Bern
Posts: 4,294
M.O.C. #311
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The brackets are on the Irvine Shade web page. They are not keystones. Irvine will send replacement brackets and bad springs and shade brakes.
I ordered black sun shades for all my windows through Shade man who was at the National rally. It is easy to upgrade. The hardest part is removing the shades from the holders.
There is a button on the edge farthest from the window. You push the button in (ALL THE WAY) and then rotate the bottom of the shade away from the window. The Aluminum frame is slid into the inside edge of the holder and then snapped into the window edge of the bracket. The snap in is help by pushing the black button on the inside.
Irvine has a good web on repairing / replacing the springs.
I hope this helps.
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10-28-2019, 07:04 AM
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#15
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Austin
Posts: 2,419
M.O.C. #21044
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shade removal
The black bracket (colored pink in the sketch below) that holds the blinds up inside the valence "belong to Keystone". The aluminum end brackets (colored blue in the sketch below) are part of Irvine Shade's system. I made this sketch to show how to remove the blinds from the valence.
__________________
MikenDebbie Aggie ‘77 in the sticks near Austin TX
2019 Chevy 3500 High Country DRW
2018 Montana 3921FB
Aussie Gus + Texas Heeler Jimmy
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10-28-2019, 11:21 AM
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#16
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2003
Location: New Bern
Posts: 4,294
M.O.C. #311
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Irvine Shade sent me a replacement bracket and I confirmed it was the correct one from their web page. I have the largest.
http://www.irvineshadeanddoor.com/wp...oup-image.jpeg
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10-29-2019, 09:13 AM
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#17
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Colorado Springs
Posts: 101
M.O.C. #20440
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Great information and discussion on blinds. We have had a few troubles and I like the diagram for removal. I have got two left that keeps me busy.
What has everyone else used to fill in the holes when the screws pullout of the paper n glue walls?
One top valence and two side curtains have been pulled out, curtains removed by our girl Zoey looking out the window and watching the campground for us
Thanks
__________________
Sandra & David
2017 3950BR
2016 GMC 2500 Denali
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07-09-2020, 09:43 PM
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#18
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Established Member
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Kansas City
Posts: 12
M.O.C. #22614
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sandra_David
Great information and discussion on blinds. We have had a few troubles and I like the diagram for removal. I have got two left that keeps me busy.
What has everyone else used to fill in the holes when the screws pullout of the paper n glue walls?
One top valence and two side curtains have been pulled out, curtains removed by our girl Zoey looking out the window and watching the campground for us
Thanks
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Realize this is an old post so you probably already found a fix, but if not I’ll mention for anyone else. Pop Rivets can be used on RV walls. I’ve hung blind valances, towel racks, and misc other hardware with them and never had one pull out.
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