Visor Install?

Nomad

I've been out roaming for two months now but never more than 1-2 days in any one spot so have never gone to the trouble of hooking in my visor. Haven't really needed in. Am going to be in this spot until Sunday - need to get mail, reorganize the TV & T@V, clean the T@B - so thought I'd it give it a whirl.
So, you remove the vinyl strip and insert the visor - sounds simple enough. When you remove the visor, do you reinsert the vinyl strip?
And tips/trick greatly appreciated.

Cyclonic

You can, I don't, the strip is a bugger to get back in, and is there for the looks, not functionality.  So up to you.

jkjenn

The Visor is a piece of cake. I will occasionally set it up even when staying for only a night or two.

Nomad

Thanks - Will be giving it a whirl as soon as I get the T@B cleaned and reorganized. Now that I'm in warmer weather, time to de-winterize also.

Nomad

Installed - A piece of cake :-)

Cyclonic

Glad to hear it. It is nice also that it can go on either side of the camper.

Nomad

The only downside to the large Visor is you can't open the door all the way and latch it. You probably can't with the regular model either because of the tie-downs.

jkjenn

I open mine all of the way with the large visor and latch it, you just have to leave enough slack on the front side. I think you could also easily make something that slides into the latch and connects to the latch on the door.  I also find the visor holds the door open.

 

Nomad

Could probably bungie it to the door thingy - Have a spring clip holding it to the tie-down cable for now.

IACamper

I bungee my door handle to the front handle.

TabyDD

jkjenn said:

I open mine all of the way with the large visor and latch it, you just have to leave enough slack on the front side. I think you could also easily make something that slides into the latch and connects to the latch on the door.  I also find the visor holds the door open.

 

Jenn, would the outer edge of the visor support a light weight curtain for a little privacy?  DD

jkjenn

DD, that is an interesting question. I am thinking, "no", but if it were super light, maybe. That makes me wonder if you could (Or if it would be worth it to hang some mosquito netting from it?

I am inclined to think the tent are better solutions fir both, however.

Jimbo

I took a short piece 3/4" thin wall irrigation pipe which is curved in a arch and slip one end over the 
trailer mounted hook and cut the other end essentially the same shape as this hooks end. This then easily fits in the door mounted clip. I bent the pipe in essentially thirds to make it less ridged. This holds the door in place at 90 degrees to the trailer. Now the door does not move around or rub on my XL  Visor.

I did flatten the end that fits over the trailers hook in my shop vise and put a notch in the pipe to let one side of this hook slip through. Anyway it works great and cost me nothing and the door stays in place but the pipe can flex so as not to stress the long hook if you bump into the door or the wind blows against it. I don't happen to have a picture of it but can take one and post it later if someone wants to see it. Just FYI it is holding my door open in the pictures I posted of my first trip. 

Nomad

Any tips for keeping the visor in place when the wind comes up?
Was out scouting some locations for half the day, got back and the visor was folded back over the roof.

IACamper

Jim, I'd like to see a photo. Thanks.

Michigan_Mike

Here is the shot of Jim's trailer with the pipe installed near the base of the door.  

IACamper

Thanks, Mike. I'll have to look at my Dutchmen latch, but I think I can use the idea.

jkjenn

PXLated said:

Any tips for keeping the visor in place when the wind comes up?
Was out scouting some locations for half the day, got back and the visor was folded back over the roof.

I usually tie to the corner handles instead of using the keder rail when it is windy. It is easier to reduce the amount of slack and get a tighter line when you tie down.

Nomad

Thanks Jenn, I'll try that the next time I hook it up.

TabyDD

jkjenn said:

DD, that is an interesting question. I am thinking, "no", but if it were super light, maybe. That makes me wonder if you could (Or if it would be worth it to hang some mosquito netting from it?

I am inclined to think the tent are better solutions fir both, however.

  The tent route is just a little to cumbersome for me, I need quick and easy.  Like you I'm a single sailor, most of the time.  I have rigged an awing using a large wire through the C rail with poles, but I like the design of the visor.  If it's rigid enough I could do it.  I have attached a picture my DIY awning.  DD

mash2

I have had issues with using the keder rail when it was windy.  I actually returned from a day out in arches to a visor that was folded over the top of the T@B and partly out of the keder rail, and it happened a couple of other times under less intense winds.  Even using the corner handles didn't stop the movement.  I have taken to adding a couple of stakes to hold the visor at a fixed distance from the ground;  no issue since then.  I just put them below the cord location on the visor and still use the keder rail (forming an L with the cord).   

jkjenn

mash2 said:

I have had issues with using the keder rail when it was windy.  I actually returned from a day out in arches to a visor that was folded over the top of the T@B and partly out of the keder rail, and it happened a couple of other times under less intense winds.  Even using the corner handles didn't stop the movement.  I have taken to adding a couple of stakes to hold the visor at a fixed distance from the ground;  no issue since then.  I just put them below the cord location on the visor and still use the keder rail (forming an L with the cord).   

That sounds like a good idea.

Nomad

I've heard you have more trouble with the large visor vs the small in wind - In fact, the dealer tried to talk me out of the large one. Staking it straight down sounds like something I'll need to try.

mash2

It helps if you still use the keder but put a stake straight down  and create an L with the fulcrum at the stake.  It's worked very well since I discovered.

jkjenn

PXLated said:

I've heard you have more trouble with the large visor vs the small in wind - In fact, the dealer tried to talk me out of the large one. Staking it straight down sounds like something I'll need to try.

Yet, but I can't imagine you could really sit under a regular visor in the rain and I was able to sit out under mine in the rain and eat my dinner.

Nomad

Ha, the small visor looked a bit too small for anything but blocking sun and rain right at the door

jkjenn

I had mine up and was out for the day when some pretty gusty winds blew in. It blew the visor back onto the T@b, but no damage, fortunately.

DurangoTaB

Timely advice...we just ordered a visor like Jenn's.  We have the tent, which we love for stays over one night, but we're going on a long road trip in May with a lot of one-nighters and feel the visor will help with shade (not rain).

mash2

Jenn, I didn't have any damage either, but I could easily see how it could have gotten dicey on the visor (it had moved part of the way out of the keder by the time I returned from watching the sunset).  

Michigan_mike... I don't really need to move to tent poles.  Once I put in stakes, I loop the tie off strings around the stakes before I run it thru the lower keder, tighten everything and it creates a very stable awning (it has survived 50-60 MPH sandstorm winds in the high desert).  Moreover, it is still much faster than putting up the older awning (which I haven't used since I got the visor).  Adding stakes to my routine added about a minute to the setup process and I just do it routinely now -- just in case some storm front decides that it would like to offer some wind for a wayward camper in the middle of nowhere.  

jkjenn

Yeah, even with anchoring to grab handles, the guy lines always seem to develop slack. I can see where the stakes could create a tighter line.

Nomad

Didn't install the Visor today as it was windy - Bought some stakes though so I'm ready for tomorrow.