Day Shades

[TUKTU]

Hi All
We are looking into the 5th wheel model and just going through what is included and what is not and one item that came up for us is that the shades for the windows are only day shades. We really like to sleep in the dark as it offers a more restful sleep.
How have others found the "Day Shades" in these units and has anyone considered or even changed their shades to day/night shades.

Thanks for your thought on this.

Shane

[PGDriver]

To be honest we never even thought about the shades, it seems plenty dark to us when there down.
Cheers
Doug

[float5]

Welcome, Shane.
There are a few people who have replaced the shades with something else. Yes, you would want something more opaque. Good shades though are not inexpensive. You could also add curtains to the present shades.

[KarenH]

I'd never heard the term day shades or night shades before so had not given it any thought. But I do know that some on this forum have added blackout curtains over the standard shades that ETI provides with their trailers. Search for the term "blackout curtains" and several links will appear including this one (see Picture 10):

Escape Trailer Owners Community - LBaranyai's Album: Our 17B "Fire Escape"

[AK snowbiker]

Originally Posted by TUKTU

Hi All
We are looking into the 5th wheel model and just going through what is included and what is not and one item that came up for us is that the shades for the windows are only day shades. We really like to sleep in the dark as it offers a more restful sleep.
How have others found the "Day Shades" in these units and has anyone considered or even changed their shades to day/night shades.

Thanks for your thought on this.

Shane

Hello Shane, If you’re getting the 5th wheel you really only need a cover for the escape hatch over the sleeping loft. (It lets in lots of light). Buried somewhere on the forum Chris R has the most elegant solution for covering the hatch, using fabric and rare earth magnets. (I still need to copy that mod, thanks Chris). Scott

Scott and Lori
I like bikes!

[FMLNM]

Originally Posted by Old Skool

Hello Shane, If you’re getting the 5th wheel you really only need a cover for the escape hatch over the sleeping loft. (It lets in lots of light). Buried somewhere on the forum Chris R has the most elegant solution for covering the hatch, using fabric and rare earth magnets. (I still need to copy that mod, thanks Chris). Scott

Scott and Lori
I like bikes!

We just cut out a piece of Reflectix for the hatch and made a hole for the crank. If it is a tiny bit larger than the hatch you can just push it into place and it stays quite well. Also helps cut down on heat gain during the day. We also made Reflectix panels to slide between the window and the pleated shades to darken the 'bedroom' windows. We find that keeps things dark enough...no need for anything more on the dinette windows. We also use a spring-fit drapery rod and hang a light drape across the door...helps insulate during cold nights and blocks light from window in the door. Drapes with grommet tops slide easily and take up very little space when pushed aside.

[JMTHKR]

Originally Posted by TUKTU

Hi All
We are looking into the 5th wheel model and just going through what is included and what is not and one item that came up for us is that the shades for the windows are only day shades. We really like to sleep in the dark as it offers a more restful sleep.
How have others found the "Day Shades" in these units and has anyone considered or even changed their shades to day/night shades.

Thanks for your thought on this.

Shane

We picked up our 5.0TA 10 months ago after 12 years in a truck camper with "day/night" shades and a similarly sized loft area for the bed. We decided to try the day shades on our trip home in the 5.0TA before worrying. We had sleep masks available just in case. We have been pleased with the "day" shades as they are somewhere in between the day and the night settings of the shades in our truck camper. The hatch seems to let more light in than the windows, but temporarily attaching the beige cloth like hatch cover cuts enough light for us. One could always make a black out hatch cover as it attaches with Velcro. We made two trips to Alaska in the truck camper and did not black out our windows. For us sleep masks are enough for the odd time we need to sleep during daylight hours or end up with the campground security light shining brightly.

Cliff

[Steve Clark]

I'm a morning person, and can't wait for that first break of dawn! I'll doze until I see a little sunlight, then savor my first cup of coffee. Haven't slept past daylight in years......

[padlin]

Now that you bring it up I can see where night shades would be nice when you're stuck where there are lights nearby. Like Fran & Dave we use Reflectix cut for the loft escape hatch and windows, and the door window. Never thought of replacing the shades and now that I have the Reflectix cut I probably won't.

[Mary F]

For me in our 21, it's not the shades that are the problem. It's the little green light on the USB/12v outlet that's in my eyes. I'm seriously considering covering it with a bandaid.

[Iowa Dave]

Originally Posted by Mary F

For me in our 21, it's not the shades that are the problem. It's the little green light on the USB/12v outlet that's in my eyes. I'm seriously considering covering it with a bandaid.

That's what we always did with guys who complained about the check engine light on their trucks. Ran the diagnostic and usually found nothing really wrong. Covered the light with black tape, told them to get back to work. I feel very fortunate to be able to sleep in the broad daylight on the seat of any picnic table. It's a gift I guess.
Dave

[titanizer]

Mary,
I hated that light too, especially when trying to sleep. I used a dab of WhiteOut liquid to paint it. Works like a charm. No more annoying light!!!!!

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by Steve Clark

I'm a morning person, and can't wait for that first break of dawn! I'll doze until I see a little sunlight, then savor my first cup of coffee. Haven't slept past daylight in years......

I too am usually up well before the sun, except in the middle of summer, when the sun is coming up at 4:30. It is rare that I go to sleep when the sun is still up either.

Fortunately, if I have the need to sleep, light does not bother me with closed eyese.