I recently came across this post on social media from Facebook user Karen K. about using pipe insulation to calm banging RV window shades. Read on…
“Okay, peeps. This is the hack of the century!!!!
“We’re in southern Texas and the winds have been blowing. It’s too cool for the A/C to be on so I opened up the windows. The window shades have been knocking on the window frames, irritating the husband.
He found this pipe insulation in his stuff and ‘fixed’ the window shades! Hope this helps another irritated person! Happy camping. Note: Size is 1 3/4” in diameter.”
As someone who has RVed all his life and dealt with RV window pull shades or mini blinds clanking around on breezy days, I do have to admit this is a pretty good hack for solving the problem. Inexpensive, too, as you can purchase a 6-foot length of pipe insulation at Home Depot for just over $2! If not the “hack of the century,” it is pretty close. Your thoughts?
Another Popular Post from Dave
What is RV ‘lot rot’ and why it could be your golden ticket to huge savings
Lot rot: A term used to describe a new vehicle that has sat on a dealer’s lot for an extended period and is beginning to show signs of aging.
As a former RV dealer, I can attest that lot rot is dealership jargon for the deterioration and damage done to RVs that are exposed to the elements for a prolonged period. All dealers have seen it at some point. An RV is in near-perfect condition when it’s delivered to the dealer’s sales lot from the manufacturer. But slowly, the sun, rain, dust, and debris take a toll. Within several months it begins to look like a used unit and potential buyers begin to take notice. Read more.
We have been using that “hack” for years in 2 of our 3 RVs (the fifth wheel didn’t have roller shades or blinds). I had read about someone slicing a pool noodle to quiet their blinds. But I realized the extra pipe insulation (from Home Depot too!) stashed in my basement came “pre-cut”. I use double-sided tape to keep it in place because not every shade/blind has just the right diameter for a perfect fit. Our current Class C has pipe insulation on the roller shades of every window (except the cab windows).
I have used the floor furniture protectors from Dollar tree. They have adhesive on the back, are small and lay flat and come in multiple shapes and sizes. I have applied them once in three years.
I’ve been using velcro for several years to hold the shades in place. I put a piece on the back of the bottom corner of the pull bar on each end & the opposing piece of the velcro on the front of the window frame on the bottom corners. You just need to set it up so the velcro spot matches a stop point on the up & down roller movement. My shades stay tight against the window frame with no fluttering in the wind.
We use felt pads like what you put on the bottom of furniture legs. Not so unsightly.
Hmmm? I’ve never heard our travel trailer curtain rods clatter when heading down the road. Fits into the “If a tree falls in the woods and no one’s around, does it still make a sound?” category. Nice suggestion though – if we ever decide to downsize into a smaller RV space like a Class A, Class C, or Class B. On a serious side note: If you flat tow behind your RV, how do you know what sounds are coming from your toad? Maybe a remote microphone is in order. Because most problems are detected when you’re driving your vehicle when it starts making a “funny” sound. Just saying.
Interesting though they did say “It’s too cool for the A/C to be on so I opened up the windows”. I’m pretty sure that they weren’t traveling down the road in their travel trailer as you stated! Just saying!
Snoopy
Thank you, Dave! 🙂 Great idea! 🙂 Thank you! Happy exploring and safe travels! 🙂
Hack of the century? Not even close. Using the same pipe insulation, fitted to the lower corners of a head-high slide-out, protects one’s noggin. Now that’s the hack of the century! Ask me how I know.
Yes, I know your pain Ray. I have also used foam piping for that nasty edge.
I saw this on social media too. I happened to have some left over from insulating the PEX lines going into & out of the water pump to make it less noisy, so I tried it on the blinds. Both applications work very well to dampen the noise.
I have a 2009 Winnibago View.
All of the dual day/night pleated window pull down/up shades are locked taught at the bottom on an adjustable tension string, so have never had this issue. I assumed all RV’s would utilize this type since they are bouncing down the road and even our home shades are locked in place at the bottom. Mini blinds…….are those even used any more?
The best window hack I do use is the reflective double layer mylar bubble wrap cut to size for all windows and most vents which makes an amazing difference on those freezing cold nights and hot days also (sunny side).
Brilliant in its simplicity and results to stop a problem! I am off to the hardware store to pick some up as the banging drives me crazy!
Very inventive!
We tried the pool noodle hack and it just didn’t work for us. We lined the back of the blind handle/rod with weather stripping. So far it has lasted through the texas heat.
I wish this would’ve worked. They are irritating. We tried it and we found them on the floor more than on the blinds. 🙁
When did the word “tip” get replaced by the word “hack”? To me, hack is the first part of a saw that cuts metal, or the noise you make when you pass a loogie, or a way to get into a computer program without permission, or a lousy writer. Some things just don’t make sense to me. Part of being a grumpy old man I guess…….