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Topic: skylight blind shut or open for winter?

freckles63

30/12/2014 at 6:57pm
Location: essex
Outfit: Bailey Pegasus 534 Kuga 2.0 3x tents

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Hi, this is our first winter with our newer caravan that has a skylight window, as we've never had one before I was wondering do you leave open or close the blind on it, obviously only needed if you don't put a cover on the caravan.

Cheers

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"Close your eyes and pretend it's all a dream, that's how I get by"

DEB

sooty

30/12/2014 at 10:11pm
Location: Long Eaton Nottingham
Outfit: Avondale Argente 550 4 (2007)

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I know that the sprung blinds shouldn't be pulled down all winter because it affects the sprint in them. If they just pull across on the skylight I don't see why you couldn't close them if you wished. We never have on ours but if there is a lot of sun through it it may be a good idea to help stop furniture fading.

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Pickled Onion

30/12/2014 at 11:43pm
Location: Near Alton Towers
Outfit: Bailey Burgundy S7 H

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Hi Deb, the strength of the sun is minimal in the winter months so personally I wouldn't bother much regarding fading of upholstery. Our Heki 2 is sprung on both the blind and netting screen so I'd tend toward leaving it open, I do however use a cover but that's what I'd do regardless.

Dave

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Hooray For Horace

31/12/2014 at 1:12am
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Personal approach - open every cupboard & door. Stand every cushion on end (if not slatted bed bases, open them as well)

Skylights closed, every window set to night vent - what is required is air flow (with or without winter cover)

The floor vents in conjunction with the vented windows will encourage air movement - which is the #1 priority to avoid mould and damp.

Never had a winter storage problem yet - using covers, or not using covers.

Jimff5

31/12/2014 at 5:20pm
Location: Belfast
Outfit: Elddis Avante 574 BMW X1

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Blind open, bit of cardboard jammed in the aperture,to block the light though as Onion says sun is not really much of a problem in the winter, but our 'van is in France, and I wont see it until mid May.

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freckles63

01/1/2015 at 9:34am
Location: essex
Outfit: Bailey Pegasus 534 Kuga 2.0 3x tents

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Thanks all, I always pull the curtains instead of using the blinds in the winter so as to not damage the springs and to let more natural light/warmth in, so was thinking that way for the Heiki sunroof.

Of course if we can get around to putting the cover on then it will stay open anyway.

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"Close your eyes and pretend it's all a dream, that's how I get by"

DEB

robin52

14/1/2015 at 10:39pm
Location: Nottingham
Outfit: Swift Freestyle S2

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I always draw the curtains and do not use the blinds in storage.
I made some cheap cotton blinds (squares) for the rooflight and the kitchen window which has no curtain. They are fastened on with Velcro. I only use them while in storage. They have fitted my last 3 caravans.
You would not believe how much they have faded,so I think they were worth making.
Regards
Robin

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Regards Robin

ENOCH

15/1/2015 at 11:52am
Location: TEESSIDE
Outfit: SWIFT FAIRWAY 530

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We always close the window curtains and the roof blinds while in storage, we never leave the window blinds down for extended periods as this can cause a weakness in the springs over time. The large front/sunroof window has the blind pulled down, as this is not on springs, I would not think it could be damaged.

jeff juke

15/1/2015 at 1:07pm
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The last 2 years ive left the blinds and curtains open and what a difference it has made of keeping the van clear of condensation.Seating is on its side where the sun wont get to it.

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SimonBattersby

17/1/2015 at 9:42pm
Location: Warrington
Outfit: Swift Challenger Sport 586

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Leave the blind open, you'll be surprised how much air circulates through them, like others have said the uv is really low through winter so damage to your interior would be none existent.

lexie71

18/1/2015 at 11:28pm
Location: Devon
Outfit: Swift challenger 540

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Hi all I like to leave one blackout blind up the one that gets the sun this time of year it just seems to warm the van up a little but not enough to damage upholstery hope this is some help to someone

Newtoabbey

19/1/2015 at 9:50pm
Location: Shropshire
Outfit: 2014 Pegasus +Vw

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Quote: Originally posted by Hooray For Horace on 31/12/2014
Personal approach - open every cupboard & door. Stand every cushion on end (if not slatted bed bases, open them as well)

Skylights closed, every window set to night vent - what is required is air flow (with or without winter cover)

The floor vents in conjunction with the vented windows will encourage air movement - which is the #1 priority to avoid mould and damp.

Never had a winter storage problem yet - using covers, or not using covers.

And leave the Fridge door ajar and drain the heater,flush tank and cassette

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Never do today what you can put off until tomorrow

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