Warning label on windows not to have window shade covering windows while the sun is shining. Do you?

jimcenname · October 2019

Anybody notice this label in the corner of every window in their Nucamp trailer? I interpret it to mean that the shade should not cover the window when the sun is shining. The other, more obvious point, is to keep the windows closed while towing.

Those of you who have closed your shades when parked in the sun, camping or not, have you seen and damage done to your windows over the years?

I found no relevant information on the window manufacturer's website.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021717/uploads/editor/xk/ev04n7gz2106.jpg

Bayliss · October 2019

@jimcenname, my understanding is that the label is advising you to keep both the blind and screen for each window open (retracted) while towing the trailer. If I recall correctly, I think that there is an issue that they can become loose or unstrung if left in a closed position while the trailer is travelling down the highway. I always keep mine open while towing. The shades are made by "Horrex" (Duo Pliss Blind and Fly Screen.)

Not all necessarily agree with my view of it, but some do. See this discussion:

https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/5210/window-shades-when-driving

jimcenname · October 2019

@Bayliss I hope you are right. Others: please weigh-in on this.

Bayliss · October 2019

@jimcenname, here's a thread that also discusses it, but it is mostly about the clip for the blinds. Also good to know, however.

As you will see in that thread, I wrote to Horrex about the clip and its purpose. They responded:

"It’s indeed to stabilize the system. If you pull down either blackout or plissé it will keep it together without the possibility to fall down. The blackout and mesh are tentioned with cords so without the clip it still won’t fall down. But it just to be sure."

From those comments, I concluded that even though there is tension created by the cords, they could still fail and the blind/screen (but especially the lower and heavier blind) could potentially fail and the blind may fall. Therefore, I figured if at least the lower blind is kept open/retracted while towing, there is zero possibility of it falling.

Looking at the label (affixed by the Lexan window manufacturer, Plastoform), it depicts the trailer in motion. The "X" (i.e., "No") is adjacent to the closed blind/screen, while the checkmark (i.e., "OK") is adjacent to the open blind/screen.

https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/8823/clips-for-window-shades-screens

jgram2 · October 2019

We travel with them rolled into the top (or bottom). I believe traveling with them extended puts the middle portions of both the privacy blind and the screen through excessive movement.

falcon1970 · October 2019

Well, either I am especially dense (could be) or that is one cryptic little decal.

Sharon_is_SAM · October 2019

I agree that it means “retract while in motion”.

Cbusguy · October 2019

I close all of mine while traveling. On a 320 there is zero point in leaving them open. In the warning label they are suggesting vision through the camper to the rear. 320 doesn't have that ability. Plus it keeps the dirtbags from casing my trailer when I stop.

we close the shades in the sun to help keep the trailer interior cooler and again, to keep the dirtbags from casing the trailer at the the spot we are camping. god forbid I need a nap in the afternoon.

So far no issues with the windows melting, warping or other nastys regarding to heat from the shades.

If you can't close it in full sun I would think that is a huge design flaw.

ChanW · October 2019

I can see why you interpret that graphic that way, but the shades on ours actually are silver on the outside, which says to me that they're intended to reflect the sun, and keep it cool in the Tab.

Have used them that way for years with no consequences.

DenisP · October 2019

I travel with the shades open on my 400. It allows a sight line through the camper. I have traveled over 17,000 miles with the shades open without issue. I interpreted the graphic as open while underway. I have closed the shades under full sun but typically use window awnings and/or visor awning to provide shade for the window and allow ventilation.

jimcenname · October 2019

Thanks for feedback everyone. I emailed the window manufacturer and will post their response as to their meaning of the label.

Marceline · October 2019

Cbusguy said:

I close all of mine while traveling. On a 320 there is zero point in leaving them open.

The point of leaving the shades open is to save wear and tear on the blinds. I think that people underestimate how much the trailer bounces while it’s being towed. When traveling I put pieces of Reflectix in the windows to keep the interior cool and frustrate snoops.

jimcenname · October 2019

@Cbusguy
Do you have a photo of how you use the Reflictix. I am curious how it stays in place.

jimcenname · October 2019

The representative from the manufacturer responded to my inquiry as follows:

"The label is indicating 2 things.

Don’t leave the windows propped open when driving

Don’t have the shades fully closed in direct sunlight

It is a generic warning label that you’ll find on all acrylic windows and RV hatches. It is the result of the fact that the window/hatch manufacturer can’t control what type of shading system is installed over the window. Some shading systems have reflective foil backs (looks like aluminum foil on the back) and no form on ventilation. When those types of coverings are used with an acrylic window there is the possibility of extreme heat build-up.

Your TAB 400 has ventilated coverings (holes in the top and lower rails) with an extra layer of heat control on the material itself (white layer on the back). We have never had an issue with these coverings allowing too much heat to build up. However, the window manufacturer puts the warning label on every window since they never know what covering will be installed.

If you ever have an issue due to heat buildup we will warrant the window.

TabberJohn · October 2019

IMO the label is simply reminding you not to tow with your roof vent and windows open or a bottom shade/screen lifted up (whichever it happens to be). Gravity plus bumps in the road will yank it down.
The original orientation of blinds/screens on T@Bs is where the screen lifts up from the bottom and the blind folds down from the top. Currently that is reversed, I believe due to feedback from forum users who wanted more privacy while screens are in use. Personally I prefer the original placement. That's another opinionated topic with multiple posts so let's ignore that issue for now.

My advice would be to lower whatever pleated portion is currently lifted up or retract both top and bottom.
T@B 400 users in particular may prefer fully retracted front and rear windows for see-thru visibility from their TV.

Does Plastiform even know what type of shades might be installed with their windows? (@jimcenname answers that above; mystery solved; raise or lower to your heart's content)

Marceline · October 2019

jimcenname said:

Do you have a photo of how you use the Reflictix. I am curious how it stays in place.

I don’t have a photo. I cut the Reflectix to fit the windows. The window arms and the lock levers are enough to keep them in place. They are a little loose and I haven’t noticed any heat trapping issue.

ontheroad · October 2019

I was told by a few higher up that it meant open while in motion..this allows no heat to build up at the window due to no air circulating..no vents would be open and there can be extreme heat built up...feel the heat after 5 hours of travelling..when it's not in motion the privacy shade does an amazing job of keeping the trailer cooler...

lkc001 · October 2019

I don't know about the sun part of the little pic, but I think (and this is what I do) it means do not travel with the shades closed. I believe the bouncing around while traveling could be very hard on the tension strings in the blinds. I can put up some light curtains or towels to keep out the prying eyes and/or some of the sun when traveling. When my trailer is not in use or is in winter storage, I open all the blinds and clip light colored towels on the inside to keep the inside a little cooler and also to keep the sun from bleaching & rotting the shades and fabric cushions. I want things to last as long as possible. The sun is very hard on fabric and blinds. Any other type of RV I have had also suggests to keep blinds open when traveling.

gulfarea · October 2019

I have had 2 tabs, live in the very hot Gulf Coast, driven thousands of miles with the lower shades up to keep eyes and heat out. While moving the air outside keeps the windows cooler. I am sure out of thousands of windows made a few may have some problems but so far not mine. If I were in Death Valley in summer I might do different. Art

Bayliss · October 2019

@jimcenname, I am glad that you wrote to the manufacturer about their window label. It is a poorly designed label, which does not clearly convey their apparent message.

Using your photo, I did a reverse-image search on Google (should have done that earlier) and found this October 2016 T@G forum post:

"Had my T@G for two years---just noticed this sticker on the side window. Went to www.plastoform.eu/blanca and found these instructions. When traveling (actually moving down the road) I have been keeping my windows closed, latched, sunscreen up. I thought it would be good to keep sunlight out of the trailer when possible. However, as you can see from the "Safety Instruction" sheet on the website, they recommend leaving the shade down so as to prevent a heat buildup in the space between the shade and the window which could damage the plastic window."

The individual who posted those comments included a link to the safety bulletin, but it just takes you to the Plastoform site. There is nothing there regarding a user manual or safety bulletin.

I am going to continue to leave the shades open/retracted while towing. I can see the potential heat damage issue, but I have also read enough posts about folks having to re-string their shades to cause me to be concerned that driving with the shades closed might contribute to that problem.

GatorEgg · October 2019

In the 320 manual under pre travel checklist, interior, it states “zip up shades” . I interpret that as open. Our dealer told us to raise open screens and shades so they don’t move around an become disconnected.

N7SHG_Ham · October 2019

I leave them open (retracted fully) when under way. I have started leaving them 50/50 when in storage. What I was noticing is with the shade closed in hot sun is the pleats would take a "set" and be hard to retract, kind of needed to help them relearn where home position was. The window shades/screens are nice, BUT I can see them being kind of fragile and subject to damage if not treated with extreme care. Two hands ALWAYS, slow movements, same goes for screen door.

I don't care about folks seeing in, when in transit, almost 100% of stuff is put away, nothing to see, move along. In storage with them 50/50 although nothing to see really, it is still very hard to see inside without a ladder on my Tab 400 Boondock, if someone wants to get a ladder and look, again, nothing to see so move along.

Mouseketab · November 2019

ChanW said:

I can see why you interpret that graphic that way, but the shades on ours actually are silver on the outside, which says to me that they're intended to reflect the sun, and keep it cool in the Tab.
Have used them that way for years with no consequences.

Yours on your 14 have roller shades. If the clips that hold them shut fail while on the road, they could violently fly up and destroy the roller mechanism.

Mouseketab · November 2019

I used to have the very fragile Dutchmen roller shades/screens that both rolled up from the bottom in two different tracks. I always towed with them open, as the clips that held them shut were very fragile, and one bump and "boom" they could roll up very hard. I now have the pleated shade/screen combo, and still ride with them retracted. Since I have my shade part on the bottom, I find it is heavier than the screens, and tends to slide downward anyway when shades are closed. I also as part of my travel stops like having the shades retracted, so that a quick peek inside during my walkaround tells me everything inside is riding as it should. (Or in the case when I hit a railroad crossing hard, my closet door flew open, and I had to retrieve everything in that closet from the floor).

Denny16 · March 2020

I think some are misinterpreting the warning statement, it is saying to put thenscreen and is shade in the stowed position when towing, this way you can see through the units that have a back window. Also leaving the shade over the window all the time in direct sun, is what the heat build up warning is about, allowing the reflected sun and heat to hit both sides of the two part window surfaces. Shade open, sun just goes through. Having the windows cracked open to allow air flow on both sides of the window surface will add some cooling. When driving, windows closed, shade and screen open/retracted.
cheers

TNOutback · March 2020

Here are the “Safety Instructions” that Plastoform sent me yesterday, regarding correct usage and care of the Plastoform “Blanca” windows in our T@B campers.

Sharon_is_SAM · March 2020

FYI: I added the Plastiform info to the forum TaB User Manuals/PDF Files category under Windows and Awnings.

Hobie · September 2020

Manual for 2017 T@B says to close shades during storage and "zip up" shades before travel. I suppose that means to open shades before travel for reasons discussed above, but it doesn't address whether "storage" is in the sun or not.

Sharon_is_SAM · September 2020

If storing in the sun, I think to prevent fading I would close the shades. And crack the vent. I have yet to hear of any window failure due to heat build up. I think there is plenty of air circulation between the window and the shade.

jimcenname · September 2020

I keep shades on my t@b400 closed, blocking light and heat, while I tow. On hot days I close all blinds on t@b to keep it cool but I have an outside cover I put on front and back windows that really keeps the heat out.

TNOutback · September 2020

Hey @Hobie the manufacturer of the windows says to NOT close the shades in direct sunlight as the trapped heat could warp/damage the windows. I will leave mine open about an inch or so at the top to allow them to vent if the sun is on them.

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Warning label on windows not to have window shade covering windows while the sun is shining. Do you?

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