We are looking to upgrade to pull down shades and get rid of the pleated shades with the strings. I found only one company, MCD in McKinney, texas. Are there other companies offering these?
My wife and I own a '95 Rexhall Aerbus and the living area shades from the factory were in poor condition and we decided to replace them. We looked on line and decided that the replacement "RV" blinds were too expensive and cheaply made. We went to Lowes and ordered the correct width and length day and nite shades. Yesterday we installed them. I had to remove the back plastic cover on the "head" of the blinds and drilled several holes (number dictated by the length) at the bottom of the "mechanical housing" in order to mount them in the same manner as the originals. They look and work fantastic. The only change from the original install is remounting the valance. The valance fits tightly at the top and does not allow for screwing the valance at the top inside of the valance so I predrilled one hole on each side at the top area diagonally from the outside of the valance into the wall and screwed a screw into the wall. Hardly noticeable unless you know they aren't factory installed. Much cheaper than "RV" shades and much higher quality.
I ordered a "look alike" from blinds chalet for less at the time and they work fine a little larger ( manual side shade, duals) I first used the mcd online supplier I ordered from online .. she called me two weeks later! to say I was missing a number on my form .. I offered to give her that number on the spot ( phone) she decined and said I'd have to re fill out the form .. And wait again . I said thanks forget it , blinds chalet had the blind on my door on a week.
There's one in the back of the FMCA mag, but I can't remember the name.. Besides I wouldn't look at anythig else but MCD, DW wouldn't let me, she loves ours.. Plus they are great and easy people to work with..Mike Mathews.. PS: I changed ours myself, they aren't hard, took about an hour each.. I agree the hardest part was taking down the OEM stuff..
I replaced all the shades in our coach with MCDs. Both wife and I love them. Did it myself, and it was more difficult removing the HR installed day/night shades than it was installing the MCDs.
Not a happy camper with the MCD shades. One broke, a piece of cheap plastic rod, and they don't support that shade anymore. Only recourse is to buy a new one at a "loyal customer" discount of $350.
There is another company,Auto Motion Shades that looks to have a better setup than MCD
IMO, you just cannot go wrong with the MCD shades. We replaced all the pleated shades in our previous coach with MCD solo shades.
We just got our current rig and it has the pleated day/night shades. They are in great condition so will leave them for now. However, when they start to give me trouble, MCD's will be used.