Blinds and travelling

[janward]

Hi there

Have noticed since having a caravan - all of 2yrs - that some people tow with blinds down and some with blinds up! Is there a right or wrong here? We keep the curtains closed whilst the van is on our drive (to keep sun out and nosey people) but travel with blinds up and curtains back. Theory being that the travelling would not do the blinds any good and the tensions would suffer.

Just interested in other opinions. Incidentally our new used van have the blinds that fasten together so not sure if that makes a difference.

Jan

 

[Robtel]

Jan,

I agree with you in that I feel that possible damage could be caused to the blind fittings if you travel with them closed. Even in a parked van I have known a closed blind to suddenly become unfastened and go rattling up into its housing at high speed. I think this would be more likely to happen if travelling with blinds closed.

Robert

 

[RobRoy]

Jan,

Travelling with the blinds down or having them down when the caravan is not in use is not recommended.

Rob S.

 

[Rioja]

I see no reason as to why you can't keep the blinds down when parked up..we always do to protect the furnishings from sun and nosey people !

We always have the blinds up for travel because not only do I get some through vision, but in some weather conditions I guess you could dazzle oncoming traffic with the reflection from the setting sun.

 

[Martin_E]

Hi Jan,

I read somewhere that a van with the blinds down is more likely to be stopped by the police than one with the blinds up, the theory was that a stolen van is more likely to have curtains/blinds shut as the thief would not necessarily have access to the inside of the van.

As others have said it does give better visibility with them up.

Martin "E"

 

[ValA.]

We always tow with the blinds down - mainly because we travel a lot in France - and it's often so hot that the caravan would be baking if we left them up. They've never 'sprung up', and after seven years of use are still all working perfectly - and we've never been stopped either in England or in France. We also draw the blind across the Heki and mini Heki - similarly without incident.

 

[coljac]

I agree it is not a good idea to have the caravan blinds down for any lenght of time .As far as the sun fading the fabrics ,it also fades the curtains . We have overcome this by cutting stiff cardboard to fit into the window openings when the van is not in use and taking it out when we are traveling .You may have to do a few cut outs to make sure they fit and stay in place .

Col

 

[Joseph_5097700]

When I did a CC towing course the advice was to keep blinds and curtains open so that

1) you got vision through the back of your caravan when driving (depends on the type of car and 'van you have)

&

2) so other drivers get vision through the 'van which could help them to spot other vehicles, pedestrians, motor cyclists etc.

 

[DJM]

Hi Jan,

I generally travel with all of the blinds down except for the front centre one and the rear bathroom. This keep the van cool, particularly in Europe, and also for privacy reasons. Keeping the front centre and rear bathroom blinds open allows me clear unobstructed vision of traffic behind me through my rear view mirror.