Window shade total replacement.....doable?

PJ123 · October 2018

Lo All! Take a 9lb. xtra hyper toy poodle who wants to see out of the passenger side window when the shade is raised and you have a torn up passenger side window shade.

No, I haven't called nuCamp yet (OR the vet for doggie downers) but both are on the "to do" list. Question is has anyone replaced the whole shade assembly. The screen is fine (it was up) but the shade is toast. Or, maybe Swiss cheese but it has GOT to be replaced. If anyone has any experience in replacing a shade I would really appreciate a get back.

Thanks in advance and see you around the campfire....Pete

rajamar · October 2018

You should be able to get replacement assembly from nuCamp. Don't know your model year, but the instructions in this discussion should give you an idea of what is involved:
https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/2114/blinds-shades-assembly-instructions#latest

teztab · October 2018

We experienced a similar problem when one of our canine companions attacked the bug screen portion of the door-side window shade on our 2018 320. The screen appeared entirely destroyed but on closer inspection I found that while it was completely mangled it was not torn or pierced. So, before ordering a replacement from Nucamp, I decided to attempt a repair (I learned from Elsie that only complete units were available). Surprisingly, I was able to completely dismantle the shade frame, reform the concertina folds in the screen and reassemble the unit. It turned out to be just fine but now, if we have to leave the dogs in the camper for any period of time, we transfer their crate to the Tab! Good luck with your repair...

Michigan_Mike · October 2018

Gotta love them dogs for sure!

PJ123 · October 2018

Lo All! Teztab I'm afraid that this is going to be one of those "complete replacements" Elsie mentioned. Some of the pleats are just plain, slap gone (I don't WANT to think where they might have wound up).

Rajamar, model year is '18 320 S boonie so finding a replacement shouldn't be to hard to do..It's just having to do so is the rub.

But after all is said and done Michigan Mike is right on. Just gotta love the pooches for sure!

Thanks for the get back y'all..see ya around the camp fire!

teztab · October 2018

PJ123 said:

Lo All! Teztab I'm afraid that this is going to be one of those "cyomplete replacements" Elsie mentioned. Some of the pleats are just plain, slap gone (I don't WANT to think where they might have wound up).
Rajamar, model year is '18 320 S boonie so finding a replacement shouldn't be to hard to do..It's just having to do so is the rub.
But after all is said and done Michigan Mike is right on. Just gotta love the pooches for sure!
Thanks for the get back y'all..see ya around the camp fire!

Understood, I guess your pooch was hungrier than ours! Full replacement is very easy. Ours is a 320S '18 and you just pry off the corner caps to reveal the four retaining screws. So you can easily unscrew the old and replace with the new...

Mouseketab · October 2018

I bought new shades/screens from NuCamp for my 2007 and installed them myself. They are five screws. One in each corner, and one in the top center of the support bracket. Really easy. Especially as a replacement. Take the four corner pieces out and remove the screws, take the old one off. Hang the new one up on the top center bracket and screw in the new screws.

Istokpoga · October 2018

Similar issue here, but not as dramatic yet. Two fifteen pound canines that sleep the day away until they hear our TV return. Our new-to-us 2017 has gotten its shades bonked out of place a couple times already, and though they're still okay, this isn't gonna work forever.
Just yesterday I decided I needed to devote some time to some sort of protection/panel/screen that is removable and aesthetically reasonable. Maybe even a half-curtain.
Following, listening.

Mouseketab · October 2018

Istokpoga said:

Similar issue here, but not as dramatic yet. Two fifteen pound canines that sleep the day away until they hear our TV return. Our new-to-us 2017 has gotten its shades bonked out of place a couple times already, and though they're still okay, this isn't gonna work forever.
Just yesterday I decided I needed to devote some time to some sort of protection/panel/screen that is removable and aesthetically reasonable. Maybe even a half-curtain.
Following, listening.

Many folks put window awnings on the outside of their windows. If you are using air conditioning, perhaps leave the shades and screens open, and the windows in vent mode and block out the light with the exterior awnings on the outside.

PJ123 · October 2018

Thanks all! Feel better now. For awhile I was even considering the doggie downers (just kidding!!!) It seems that, as you guys have stated, it is a fairly easy fix. Mouseketab and Teztab have supplied the directions. It's the first OMG moment in the Ladybug (black with red trim) and I gotta say DW handled it a lot better than I. The replacement is already on order and should be here in a few days. Thanks again everybody..see you around the camp fire..

PJ123 · October 2018

Hi Y'All!! Don't know why the above was not posted when I wrote it. Guess I didn't smack the 'send' button hard enough.

I came back to page because I realized that I hadn't put this thread to bed.

Shade assembly arrived three or four days after order. It comes as a complete unit that is all assembled in the frame with all attachments included. Mouseketab is right on. Four screws off and four screws in. Done deal.

So thanks everybody again for the info and words of encouragement. I had a long talk with lady poodle Zeaux (Southern Louisiana spelling for Zoe) the shade eaten' dog..and she promised never to do it again...Thanks again all, Zeaux, Beaux (you guessed it, "Boe") Jeanne and I will see you around the campfire.....Pete

johnbets · October 2022

I got you all beat. A bear went through mine after tearing the window off. I have a new window unit and a screen unit. I'm going to replace both. More accurately, I'm having a friend replace them since I'm recovering from a broken collarbone. Yes, I've had quite a summer... If I come upon any issues, I'll report back.

Sharon_is_SAM · October 2022

@johnbets - tell us about the bear incident!

bergger · October 2022

Pictures!!

johnbets · October 2022

We have lots of Black Bears here in the Sierra Nevada foothills. They're very clever about opening doors on cars, campers, and houses. I had a bear open the back hatch on my 320 CS by turning the latches. It proceeded to go through my cabinets and bit each bottle of spices, stopping after it bit the red pepper flakes. Anyway I learned to lock the latches and that seemed to solve the issue for a while. BTW I don't keep food in my camper but I'm sure there are residual smells. The incident with the window came a few months later. I had the windows locked in "vent" position, which allowed the bear to get a hold on the window and break it out. It then stuck its head inside to sniff around, destroying the screen unit. Fortunately it didn't go inside as that would have caused additional damage, I'm sure.

It turns out the window is exceedingly easy to replace. I simply detached the strut and opened the window just past 90 degrees and it fell out into my hands. The new window went in easily. I did have to adjust the cogs that the latches close against but that was easy too. The mounting holes are elongated to allow in-and-out adjustment and there are shims to adjust the height.

I haven't replaced the screen yet as I store all my camping accessories inside the camper and my collarbone isn't quite up to the task yet. But I understand that is an easy task as well. Thanks for your interest!

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021717/uploads/editor/iw/ycvvm0c0zipa.png

Sharon_is_SAM · October 2022

We have a CSS and I want to spend at least a month up near Yellowstone and your bear experience gives me pause (no pun intended).

johnbets · October 2022

I get that. We have Black Bears whereas Yellowstone has Grizzly Bears. Blacks are quite timid and run away when you yell at them. I often say I've seen more bear behinds than fronts. I'm not familiar with the protocols around Grizzlys but I'm sure the park has that information. Most campgrounds in bear country provide bear proof boxes in which to store your food. Just follow the protocols and I'm sure you'll have a trouble-free trip. Alternatively, you'll have your own bear story to tell. It's a win-win!

Sharon_is_SAM · October 2022

Hmmmm. I don’t want to own any bear stories😂

Denny16 · October 2022

I am with you Sharon, no best stories here either…
cheers

Pintoplumber · October 2022

I have a bear story.

Sharon_is_SAM · October 2022

Ohhhh! Way too close for comfort!

Pintoplumber · October 2022

We have some closer photos. My wife’s in the background walking the dog.

SilverBullet100 · May 10

Thanks for comments on how easy the window shade/screen unit is to replace. I'll order from Nucamp for my 2024 320s Boonie and do it myself. In the meantime I made a whole window screen (PICTURE BELOW) using a window screen frame kit (you cut the metal frame to size) & small-bug-screening from Home Depot; stuck A+B magnetic tape on the back of the metal screen frame & on the trailer's inside plastic window frame to hold the finished screen in place and it worked great for this week's trip to the Great Sand Dunes Nat'l Park.
Regarding bears: I visited Yellowstone last year and was concerned about a bear slipping a claw under a vented window. Bears can easily bend up the corner of a heavy metal garage door. Yellowstone Rangers are quick to chase bears out of the campground but I decided to replace my manual ceiling vent fan (I cracked the cover off backing it into the garage) with a temp-controlled, rain sensor, Fantastic fan so it would automatically close when I'm gone or asleep. That way I can keep all 3 windows locked tight & not worry about a break in. Used the Fantastic fan this week & it worked perfectly, closing when it rained while I was away. GSDNP is also bear country with bear lockers at the campsites. It was a good feeling not worrying about a vented window being broken by a bear.

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Window shade total replacement.....doable?

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