Spread the word CavemanCharlie, spread the word ;)
Today - Curtains.
It'll be curtains, I tell you - curtains! And your little dog too! Wait - did I mix movies?
I had a false start on the curtain install. It seems I bit off more than I could chew. See - there were two things I was attempting, and really, this is practice for Lil' Queeny, as I still have no clue what to do there - yet. But maybe now.
First - I wanted to overlap left and right curtains by an inch or so where they come together in the middle. One thing I've always hated about camper curtains, is that generally, they are just long enough to cover the glass and not enough to overlap. So after you've had them tied back, when you later close them, you are stretching and pulling the curtains to make them cover. You can't just close them and be done with it. You have to fight - each one.
Second - I was trying to get a top and bottom rod. Keep those babies in place you know? No wind blowing them up at the bottom, no bottom poking out pressed against the glass in an upper bunk, you get my drift.
So I tried, with little wood blocks made out of oak screwed to the wall in weird configurations. Sheesh! It was gonna be a custom install, not just at each window, but at each curtain at each window. There's two on some!
DW made them to our dimensions. We figured height and width to be as small as possible, but to pull back fully away from windows when we could - so the glass area allowed all light and ventilation.
With those two goals, we had a problem Houston. The window cranks stuck out. If top and bottom are pulling the curtain tight, it won't fit around the cranks, unless it's looser, or mounted three inches away from the wall.
So I was concerned.
And we don't like cafe rods, even in silver metal. They bend easy and fall off - they just seem weak. Now true, they'd fit the Route 66 theme, but maybe not as "Tow-Mater" as we'd like. And they aren't necessarily cheap, when you do tops and bottoms both. That doubles the cost and the install difficulties.
I got the back window up with the little oak blocks to hold rods (special rods), on the back wall window for the reveal - so we had that. Now I had to get down to business, or hang towels.
Here's how it ended.
For starters, check out the rods. Each cut to custom length for the window being done. The rods are 3/16" Stainless Steel round we bought at the steel store. $3 a piece, for a 12' length. That's about a quarter of the home center prices for ANYTHING similar!
And the rubber pieces? Rod retainers. Once the rod is secured in the mount, the retainer presses on the end to keep it in place. Automotive Vacuum Tube. I had some on hand.
And the wall mounts? Eyelet screws. I bought several packages of six each - cheap. In a size that provides an adequate screw bite (bigger than OEM hooks and stuff that pull out easy over time). And the inside diameter of the eye fits the rod just right to allow smooth insertion without any hangup, or excess size to allow rattle or movement up and down.
Here's one curtain in and tied back, with the back wall back window rod being installed.
Note the rod end is temporarily held in the bunk bracket to keep it away from the wall wood. And the eyelet screws were mounted inboard more than the other two long windows, due to the bunk mounting parts being in the way of a drill and pliers, for inserting and tightening the eyelet screws.
Also note the tiebacks are of two types DW had on hand. They both, in their own slightly different ways, mimic a black top road (Route 66) with a painted center line, or a tire tread pattern on straight black ribbon.
The other side.
Here's a close up of the above eyelet screw. Note it's position in relation to the previous attempt's holes in the wood, which now need a little finishing attention.
And the middle eyelet.
I had to cut part of the eyelet - and make it a hook - so you can slip the rod over it. That is because the end eyelets were too far from the walls to bend the rod for insertion, the way I did the other two long windows in front.
Once I figured out the method, it was easy peasy, and done in a couple of hours. No overlap of double curtains (curtains were made large enough that it wasn't actually needed). No bottom rod on any window (that allowed for MUCH easier install, more effective use and function, very easy sliding to open or close any curtain from a reach, without a need to use both hands). These are slick, on those thin smooth rods.
And with the bottoms loose, it makes lifting for that ventilation in the middle of the night better. Yes, we still have "bare-bottom-glass-press" to consider. Guess whoever sleeps on the bunk will have to wear pants. Most campgrounds will not allow bare bottom press, even while looking sideways about quiet hours, or children, or pets. ;)
They actually have "bare-bottom-cops" who enforce such rules. They hire from Chippendale's.
The next group of photos shows the open curtains daytime layout (no upper bunk curtains yet in most photos). Also note how the kids have packed various areas. (High level buy-in and excitement).
Note all of the bedding is stowed, and secured up top for daytime use, or when "underway".
The Galley.
Dining Galley side.
Dining entry door side.
Bunk and galley (later after bedding moved and upper bunk completed).
Rear Lounge Galley side.
Rear Lounge, Bathroom side. Note the matching towels DD bought for the theme. :)
Note the personalizing going on with the toilet. Maybe. Maybe they will get wet and come off soon too. But people have to go through the process. :)
DSIL claims each of these products cause irregularity, in the "OMG I wish we were home" category. So for example, he says, "guess I'll take a 509".
I wouldn't know, but apparently 509 is a snowmobiling accessories company which he and his group are not very happy with. He says 509 products are a piece of something. You get the idea. Wyoming Whiskey? Apparently can cause intestinal problems. The micro-brew company? Apparently the same. Me? I think it may partly be due to overindulgence and crappy camp food.
Now the following photos are night mode. Curtains pulled, beds made up.
Upper bunk.
Galley.
Rear bed. DD says 48" wide is plenty of room for them both. It felt spacious when they both laid there. These big bags make it look small, but the bags are oversize and wider than a queen.
Toilet and waste can in the night mode. Maybe the waste can would still be outside on the patio? Maybe a night sack hanging inside for trash needs?
And the dinette bed.
And with Mom and Dad in back, and the two boys on the bunk? No use of the cots and leave the dinette available for... oh I don't know, maybe an early riser who likes to make morning posts?
Countdown to camping - 2 days.
