171 - Mod - Curtains
Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=958
Printed Date: 11 May 2025 at 11:08pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: 171 - Mod - Curtains
Posted By: rpodcamper.com
Subject: 171 - Mod - Curtains
Date Posted: 14 Dec 2009 at 2:40am
OK the blinds that came with the camper just were not our style. After going out a few times we decided to pull them out and make curtains. Thankful my wife can sew so that was not a problem. We installed spring rods up in the valances to hold the curtains. Below are before and after Pictures: Drivers Front - After Drivers Front Before Passenger Side Front - After Passenger Side Front Before Drivers Side Rear After Drivers Side Rear Before Passenger Side Rear After Passenger Sire Rear Before |
Replies:
Posted By: Tusten Traveler
Date Posted: 14 Dec 2009 at 5:30am
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This is something we want to do too....thanks! Did you just pull out the whole blind mechanism? Did it come out easily? What are the spring rods attached to- the valance sides?
Any more info would be helpful and appreciated. ------------- John and Linda One 14 lb Cockapoo 2010 RPod 174 |
Posted By: Pie_Pod
Date Posted: 14 Dec 2009 at 7:56am
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This is something that I am going to have to talk Ted into.
I am not sure where I found the link. I know it was on a RV forum but not sure who should get the credit...but, I want to make curtains out of the mini-blinds like in this link:
http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2009/02/make-shades-out-of-mini-blinds.html - http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2009/02/make-shades-out-of-mini-blinds.html
I removed the bed cover from the mattress. (We have the Earth fabric)..I have quilts and things that we will be using instead. So, I was thinking about using the fabric from bed for the curtains. If I make these curtains, I want a fabric that completely blocks the light when the curtains are all the way down.
I probably will have to practice this conversion so I don't screw it up. Luckily, I have some blinds here in my bathroom that I have always wanted to get rid of so I think I will experiment on those. ------------- ~Cindy_CP (Pod_Patrol's girl) 177 |
Posted By: rpodcamper.com
Date Posted: 14 Dec 2009 at 4:01pm
| The spring rods are pressed up against the valance sides. When I was taking out the mini blinds up in the front I actually removed the valance (help on by 2 crews on each side and them removed the blind and hanger. In the back over the bed I started to look at the blinds and figured out that i could unclip the blinds and pull them out without removing the valance. I kept the blind hanger up there. I think if i was doing it again I would be removing the valance and doing it the correct way. |
Posted By: Tusten Traveler
Date Posted: 14 Dec 2009 at 9:37pm
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Thanks! That helps a lot. I keep looking up under the valance wondering if I should do it the easy way or the right way.....I'll take your suggestion and take the valance down.
I actually don't mind the mini blinds in the front area, but hate hate hate them in the bed area. We kick them at night and the bedding gets caught in them when making the bed. I'm really looking forward to this mod. ------------- John and Linda One 14 lb Cockapoo 2010 RPod 174 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 15 Dec 2009 at 8:52am
Ditto. Just before our last trip I took everything down. The valences will go back up once we have curtains made this winter. I made blackout "curtains" from the cheapest fabric-backed vinyl I could find in the fabric store. Took a flashlight with me so I could find one that blocked all light (only the black vinyl did). Cut them to the exact shape of each window + frame. I plan on mounting magnets on the window frames and on the fabric so they can go up and down easily. The real curtains will be for decoration only. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: Tusten Traveler
Date Posted: 15 Dec 2009 at 9:46am
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Magnets for the blackout curtains are a GREAT idea! Then fold them away for the day. Bravo! I'll have to work on that- I was going to JoAnn's this week anyway. ------------- John and Linda One 14 lb Cockapoo 2010 RPod 174 |
Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 15 Dec 2009 at 9:56am
HERE ARE A COUPLE OF IMAGES ON MY CURTAINS. DID MINE WITH THE TENSION RODS BUT WENT A STEP FURTHER AND LINED THEM WITH A MUSLIN. THE LAST IS A IMAGE OF THE COLORS COULDN'T BELIEVE THAT IT MATCHED THAT WELL.   |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 15 Dec 2009 at 10:09am
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Very nice. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: yizit
Date Posted: 15 Dec 2009 at 11:35pm
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I purchased Eclipse curtains from Kmart (also at Walmart). They are room darkeners. Cut them to fit and installed them with tension rods. They come in several colors. http://www.walmart.com/search/search-ng.do?ic=48_48&search_constraint=0&search_query=curtains - http://www.walmart.com/search/search-ng.do?ic=48_48&search_constraint=0&search_query=curtains
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Former owner of 2009 172 Darlene & Jim, Ewok our Lhasa Roada our 2004 Roadtrek C190Popular |
Posted By: Tusten Traveler
Date Posted: 15 Dec 2009 at 11:43pm
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I have absolutely no sewing talent so I bought several different kitchen length (24 inch) curtains today at Bed Bath and Beyond and will try them out tomorrow with a tension rod- but none of them are room darkening which would have been nice. I think I'll try the magnet trick on vinyl. I can use a hot glue gun, just not sew! ------------- John and Linda One 14 lb Cockapoo 2010 RPod 174 |
Posted By: rpodcamper.com
Date Posted: 16 Dec 2009 at 12:42am
| dragonfliesrpod - I really liked that you also did the back window. we had not changed that out but may. |
Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 16 Dec 2009 at 12:38pm
The hardest part is getting the little button strip off of the curtain. But now I know that you can buy the strips at Camping World. That makes it a little easier. You just have to make sure that the buttons on the top and bottom match up so that the pleats are right. 
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Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 16 Dec 2009 at 3:59pm
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Speaking of the back window, I noticed a small flaw in the design of the curtain. The folds at the top create peep holes! Even worse at night. I figure the blackout curtain will stay up permanently on that window. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: yizit
Date Posted: 19 Dec 2009 at 12:09am
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I'm going to look into that magnet idea for the back window. I picked up some really strong magnets our shower curtain at home. They should be able to hold up fabric. I'm even wondering if they will stick to the metal framing around the window. Oh if only Rbug wasn't buried in snow right now.... Snow, Snow go away, why can't spring be here today?
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Former owner of 2009 172 Darlene & Jim, Ewok our Lhasa Roada our 2004 Roadtrek C190Popular |
Posted By: Retired Roxy
Date Posted: 19 Dec 2009 at 7:12pm
aluminum or not aluminum, that is the question.  ------------- Retired Roxy and Cody (4 legged friend) travelin' in a 172 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 19 Dec 2009 at 9:25pm
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They are aluminum, which is why I was going to add magnets (or maybe just strips of steel) to the frames.
------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: yizit
Date Posted: 29 Dec 2009 at 9:50pm
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You can buy magnetic strips with a sticky back. I'll have to look into that.
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Former owner of 2009 172 Darlene & Jim, Ewok our Lhasa Roada our 2004 Roadtrek C190Popular |
Posted By: cgarb
Date Posted: 28 Sep 2011 at 1:21pm
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We have taken several trips in our HR rpod now and have the same issue with the blinds over the bed. I'm going to do curtains after reading all the posts. When you used the tension rod, did you just make a pocket in the curtain and slide the whole thing, or use tabs or rings?
------------- Carol 177 HRE rpod 2014 Honda Pilot |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 28 Sep 2011 at 1:50pm
She just sewed a pocket/channel in the top.. I had to remove the entire valance to get the blinds out, then reinstall the valance. Curtain is held in with a tension rod mounted in the valance.   ------------- |
Posted By: cgarb
Date Posted: 28 Sep 2011 at 2:34pm
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They look great. I'll have to give it a try! Thanks for the photos.
------------- Carol 177 HRE rpod 2014 Honda Pilot |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 28 Sep 2011 at 2:52pm
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Ours are the same - a pocket across the top and slid the rod all the way through. I didn't alter the valence at all and the rod stays up just fine with friction. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: TrinityTurret
Date Posted: 15 Oct 2013 at 10:10pm
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(I can't seem to find the appropriate post to ask this question on...hope this is ok). Our brand-new 171 curtains over the main queen bed (the rear of the 171) were not installed very well. They used screws larger than the aluminum tracks, and when they screwed them in, the screws bent & warped the curtain track. As a result, the curtains won't pull past the spots in the track that are messed up. Is this a 'typical issue', or should I contact the dealer? ------------- There's only one way... |
Posted By: P&M
Date Posted: 16 Oct 2013 at 10:25am
Ours are tricky and stick a bit, but they do open/close all the way. If your's won't then I would say yes, contact the dealer and ask them to fix it. ------------- P & M ... and Comet too! 2012 171 -- The Monkey Pod 2018 Ram 2500 |