Why Blinds Matter More Than You Think
Light is boss in a small space. One bad glare, and the whole rig feels grumpy. Heat sneaks in through glass. So do nosey campground lights. You know what? Good blinds fix a lot of that, and they don’t weigh much.
When you’re working remote or catching up with friends on video, controlled lighting is the difference between a washed-out face and a crisp picture. I’ve started hosting weekly catch-ups straight from the RV using InstantChat’s cam-to-cam rooms, a free browser-based platform where you can pop into a private HD video call without downloads—perfect when campground Wi-Fi finally plays nice.
For a real-world reminder of how fast sun and reflections can change inside temps, park beside the water at Riverhouse Acres and notice how the right shades instantly mellow the glare.
For campers who want the blueprint of the whole blind experiment, I chronicled every step and cost in this in-depth write-up.
I’ve owned three types in my trailer and our Class C. Some were great. Some made me want to toss them out at a rest stop.
What Came With My Rig (And Why I Replaced It)
My Class C came with thin aluminum mini blinds. The old-school kind with the cord and the little wand. They looked fine on day one. But on rough roads near Amarillo, they rattled like a bag of forks. At night, street lights sneaked through every slat. Privacy? Eh. Not great. And if your road itinerary ever routes you through Mansfield, Ohio, and you’re planning an adults-only evening off the campsite, solid window coverage becomes even more important; swing by this Mansfield USA sex guide for straight-shooting intel on local clubs, lounges, and privacy etiquette so you can focus on fun instead of logistics.
In our first trailer, we had pleated day/night shades with strings. White on top, darker on bottom. Cozy look. Soft light. I liked them. Till the cords started to fray. One morning in Utah, I pulled the shade and heard a snap. The right side dropped like a sad curtain. I said a word my mom wouldn’t love.
I did a quick fix with a restring kit (0.9 mm cord, tiny springs). I sat at the picnic table for 45 minutes threading holes like a patient spider. It worked, but it wasn’t my favorite camp chore.
What I Installed Next
I switched the main cabin to MCD Duo roller shades. They have two parts: a solar screen for daytime, and a blackout shade for night. Pricey, yes. My largest window cost about the same as a decent cooler. The smaller ones were more reasonable.
In the bedroom, I tried RecPro pleated night-only shades. Cheaper than custom rollers. Dark enough for sleep. They matched the beige walls too, which felt nice on rainy days. That same week we retired the saggy couch and installed a RecPro 68″ jackknife sofa; the neutral vinyl ties in nicely with the shades.
For the tiny kitchen window by the sink, I got brave and cut down an IKEA blackout roller. I trimmed the tube with a hacksaw, used fresh brackets, and said a small prayer. It worked. But the fabric edges did fuzz a bit.
Install Story (With Honest Notes)
Measure twice. Then measure again when you’re not hangry.
- I went with an inside mount on the dinette window. Took 1/8 inch off the width so the cassette didn’t scrape the frame.
- Used self-tapping screws into the header. Pre-drilled first, because aluminum bites back.
- On the slide-out side window, my drill wouldn’t fit. A right-angle drill saved me. Worth borrowing if you can.
- The bottom of the roller shade needed hold-down clips so it wouldn’t swing while driving. The first set creaked. I swapped to magnetic tabs. No more thunks over speed bumps.
One more tip: if your walls aren’t square (mine weren’t), cheat the cassette a hair to the side that looks straighter. Your eyes forgive a lot when the edges line up.
Life With Each Blind Type
- Aluminum minis: bright in the morning, noisy on the highway, easy to wipe, tricky to keep level.
- Pleated day/night shades: warm feel, soft light, strings can tangle, decent privacy, okay heat control.
- MCD roller duo: clean look, silent, true blackout at night, better heat control in summer. Worth it if you boondock in hot places.
Real day test: We camped near Moab in July. 102 degrees, no shade. With the solar screen down and the AC running low, the living area stayed about 4 degrees cooler than with the old blinds. Not a lab test—just me, a cheap thermometer, and sweaty shoulders. But I felt the difference.
Night test: In a Walmart lot, the blackout kept the rig cave-dark. My husband slept past sunrise, which never happens. In the bedroom with the RecPro pleated night shade, it was almost as dark, but a little glow poked around the edges.
What Bugged Me (Because Nothing’s Perfect)
- Dust sticks to pleats. I used a paintbrush to sweep the folds, then a damp cloth. It’s fine, just slow.
- Roller shade light gaps: a sliver of light runs down the sides. If you need total blackout, add side tracks or use a thick valance.
- Strings and kids don’t mix. My niece pulled a day/night cord like it was a fun toy. It wasn’t. I switched to cordless where she plays.
Also, winter note: cellular or tight blinds can trap moisture. In Montana, we got a little condensation along the bottom edge. I crack the shade an inch at night now. No more drips.
Small Joys I Didn’t Expect
The solar screen lets me see trees without feeling baked. Morning coffee tastes better when the light is kind. I know that sounds silly, but talk to me after a week of harsh sun lines across your table.
Settling into our new loungers proved the point—our recliners got the same real-trip test and made slow mornings even better.
And the quiet—oh, the quiet. No clack-clack when we hit a pothole. You can hear cards shuffle instead of metal chatter. Feels calmer, like the rig took a deep breath.
What I’d Buy Again
- Main cabin: MCD Duo rollers. Pricey, yes. But they look clean, run smooth, and protect against heat.
- Bedroom: RecPro pleated night shade. Cozy and dark enough for sleep. Budget-friendly.
- Kitchen: a trimmed roller holds up to steam and soap splashes. Just seal the cut edge with a little clear tape.
Quick Tips That Saved Me Headaches
- Measure width at top, middle, and bottom. Use the smallest.
- If you drive a lot, add hold-downs or magnets.
- Keep a spare restring cord in the toolbox.
- Clean with a soft brush first, then wipe.
- In hot areas, choose blackout or a good solar screen. Your AC will thank you.
- In cold weather, crack shades a bit to fight condensation.
Final Take
If you want silence, smooth use, and real light control, go with quality roller shades in the main space. Keep pleated night shades where you want cozy and cheap. Skip rattly metal slats unless you never move or you love the vintage look.
Would I do it all again? Yep. I’d just buy the right blinds sooner and save myself that roadside rattle soundtrack.
For detailed insights into MCD's roller shades, including their features and benefits, you can visit their main website.