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The new windows have a small graphic on them showing a caravan in sun with the blinds down crossed out and another with the blinds half closed and a tick against it.

Saxo, This is exactly what we have on ours, same on the roof lights, it also says in the handbook not to leave blinds shut in strong sun for long periods. I guess when you are in the van in surry conditions you have the windows cracked open on the night setting, therefore some airflow, but in storage, everything is totally closed and with the blinds down you have a big silver reflector to magnify the suns rays and nowhere for the heat to escape. Personally, as our van is 45 mins away, I'd rather leave the blinds up and just the curtains drawn then I'm not worried about the windows being damaged if its very sunny, but each to his own.

It means the blinds,when they fitted my windows they pointed it out to me and explained that when the windows are closed and the sun is reflected off the silver blinds there is a considerable heat build up, possibly causing the air inside to expand and exert pressure on the joints.

Saxo1

Oh no ! - some of the blinds in our caravan don't go away properly so I'll bet it's because they've been left shut for long periods .   

We keep ours at home & I have been tending to keep the blinds 3/4 shut on the side that gets the sun  (when it actually manages to get shine !)  in the afternoon.  

Some days I do adjust them,  or open them completely but mainly I leave them 3/4 ways up.    Sorry to hi-jack here but is it ok to keep doing it this way ? 

Thanks jeff - OH already did that though.  Unfortunately it didn't make any difference because the plastic (that the blids go up & down in) has warped.

What I was wondering was is it ok to do as I've been doing (see my last post) as regards leaving the blinds up.  Any idea about that ?

Quote: Originally posted by saxo1 on 04/8/2011

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There is a warning diagram on the windows of my van showing the blinds maximum 2/3 drawn in sunlight to avoid overheating and it also states it in the handbook.

Saxo1

Quote: Originally posted by DaveCoaches on 08/8/2011

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Just to throw another ball into play, what about closing the fly screens? This would have the effect of reducing the amount of sunlight that gets through the windows whilst not allowing heat to build up. It also makes it difficult for anyone to see in.

As far as the security issue is concerned, all well and good covering the windows to stop people seeing you do have valuable in the caravan, but if you don't have any valuables in there, it's probably better that they can see there is nothing in there of value. If they cannot see in, they may suspect you are trying to hide something of value.

I used to have an old convertible when I was in my twenties. I always left it unlocked but had an immobiliser fitted. I never left anything in the car, but I would rather a potential thief opened the door and found nothing of interest than slashed the roof open to find nothing of interest.

Quote: Originally posted by La-la on 06/8/2011

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Think I'll start just pulling using the curtains instead  unless we're actually using the caravan of course.   Thanks Sue. 

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It's up to you whether you draw the curtains or not, if you're worried about fading the upholstery, consider turning the seats upside down.We remove everything from our van if it's going to be idle for a long period & store everything in the house with the seat bases slid under beds in the house where they remain aired by the heating over the winter months.

I wouldn't leave the roller blinds down for long periods without asking your dealer. IF they're the same as roller shotter doors but obviously much smaller, leaving them down for long periods will reduce the tensikon inside them & may cause them not to fully roll up with be retensioned.

BB