Replacing metal blinds with curtains

[shaunydaun]

Hello Sunrader Fam,

 

I have a question and then depending on the answers you all give, I may start this project.  I hate metal blinds.  They really give me the heebeegeebees.  Dust, metallic sounds, all of it.  

 

Is there a reason sunraders have metal blinds rather than curtains?  I can't think of a benefit except letting in a little or a lot of sunlight.  I can get the same out of some light blocking curtains.  

 

They will be interesting to mount, but I am up to the challenge and I can take photos to share my progress with you all.  

 

Thank you for your input. 

 

SC

[Ctgriffi]

I felt much the same when I got my '91 Warrior (not a Sunrader, sorry!). I immediately removed all the dirty, ugly old metal blinds and put up rods and custom curtains (also removed the old, clunky velour-covered valance boxes). One window I did differently, however, which was the rear-facing one in my bath—I used these cloth blinds that are made for RVs and much closer to what you'll find in modern rigs: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CSSMMF15?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_5&th=1 (installation was kind of a pain, but I'm happy overall and they look great).

[shaunydaun]

30 minutes ago, Ctgriffi said:

I felt much the same when I got my '91 Warrior (not a Sunrader, sorry!). I immediately removed all the dirty, ugly old metal blinds and put up rods and custom curtains (also removed the old, clunky velour-covered valance boxes). One window I did differently, however, which was the rear-facing one in my bath—I used these cloth blinds that are made for RVs and much closer to what you'll find in modern rigs: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CSSMMF15?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_5&th=1 (installation was kind of a pain, but I'm happy overall and they look great).

Thanks for this response.  I love my valance boxes, and will leave them.  They were updated recently and match the curtains in the overhead bay.  The bathroom rear window was concerning me, as those blinds have to connect slightly inside of the drop angle, meaning the curtains would probably fall over the sink.  I will post photos of how they look now and update as I get this project going.  

[Ctgriffi]

20 hours ago, shaunydaun said:

The bathroom rear window was concerning me, as those blinds have to connect slightly inside of the drop angle, meaning the curtains would probably fall over the sink...

Yeah, that's ^ exactly why I ended up doing the cloth, pull-down blinds for that one, single window—because of the rear wall angle. 

Good luck with the project!

[shaunydaun]

I have completed this project and am posting a few photos.  I like the new curtains because I tie them up from the bottom.  I used a velvet and padded it with quilted cotton.  I can already feel the new warmth in the camper.  I used the same clips and main bar from the blinds as the curtain rod so I didn't have to mount anything new.  

[PattyC]

Shaunydaun...I'm of the same mind but having no luck in actually removing my old mini venetian blinds. I have a 1991 Toyota Winnebago Warrior with mini blinds on all 3 windows inside the coach,a small one over the kitchen sink, a little larger over bathroom sink and the biggest one over the dining table.  I can feel the plastic clips on both ends of the head rail and it feels like I should be able to just pull the front flap of the clip downward as it appears there's a small hinge facing the wall on the back of the clip. But I am having no luck in getting the clip to open and am also unable to determine if I need to remove the valance and if so, from where!  No screws or L plates to be found anywhere.    May I ask how you removed your blinds?  

[Ctgriffi]

Bump

[shaunydaun]

Sorry

1 hour ago, Ctgriffi said:

Bump

I saw this last week, but I am traveling in Berlin.  I was able to dislodge the clip that holds them on by using a light (held by a willing 4 year old) up under the valance.  Then I used a flat head screwdriver to force open the clip,  It was bent a bit in the process, but I was able to reinsert it once the new curtains were installed.  Once I got the metal blinds off, I cut the strings, and used the top bar of the blinds as my curtain rod, thus eliminating the need for more rods and holding devices.  I sewed them myself (with added layers for heat/cool protection) so I could leave a pocket large enough for the bar.  Good luck!