pegmikef
Well-known member
We just had all ten of the so-called day night shades in our Big Horn replaced with MCD American Duo day and night shades at the factory. We are so pleased with this that I thought I would quickly describe our experience with the process.
First, about three weeks in advance, I made a reservation (they want you to arrive on Sunday). Then the Friday before your arrival date MCD will assign you a numbered site. All sites have a fifty amp (NO thirty amp) electrical hookup, but no water or sewage so you need fresh water and empty waste tanks.
Overall, for us, it took just four days before we were on our way with new shades. Sunday morning we arrived about 11 AM and backed into our site. The sites are wide enough to easily accommodate sliders and awnings.. Notice in the picture (site2) that I am backed into the grassy side. I requested this because the west sun is on the driver’s side.
Early Monday morning, two MCD techs arrived with paper and tapes in hand. They discussed with us our options to help with the decision process and measured and documented everything we discussed. The picture shows the shades we replaced. Notice in picture "before" that the light protrudes through the night shade and you can not see anything through the day shade.
At about 11 AM I was called to the office to go over everything. We tweaked it a little bit and then I paid them. They want the payment for the product up front. The cost is exactly the same as if you ordered them for shipment to you less the shipping costs. The installation costs are invoiced once the job is completed.
Tuesday they gave all of the customers a guided tour of the factory which was quite impressive. Much of it is automated, but there is still a lot of hand work needed. We were told that ninety percent of the materials are American made and by the end of the year all materials will be American made.
Late afternoon Wednesday, the same two techs came knocking with a cart full of shades and by quitting time they had installed eight of the ten shades. I learned it is beneficial to have a fiver amongst the motor homes because there is no windshield and they tend to do the easiest first.
To cap off the day one of my SOB neighbors graciously hosted a mini-cookout/pot luck and as you can see in the pictures potluck1 and potluck2, it was yummy.
At eight ten Thursday morning one of the techs came and told me the motorized rear window shade would be ready in a few minutes and he would be back. True to his word, he was back in a few minutes and installed the remaining two shades (really four because the day and night shades are separate, but in the same bracket). After giving everything a final test, we were done. Note that in the picture "after" the new night shade allows no light to protrude and the day shades allow you to view outside while blocking the uv rays.
This whole operation was very pleasant and professional and by 11 AM we were on our way to Coffee Creek in Santo, Texas. PM me if you have any questions or would like to know the labor costs.
First, about three weeks in advance, I made a reservation (they want you to arrive on Sunday). Then the Friday before your arrival date MCD will assign you a numbered site. All sites have a fifty amp (NO thirty amp) electrical hookup, but no water or sewage so you need fresh water and empty waste tanks.
Overall, for us, it took just four days before we were on our way with new shades. Sunday morning we arrived about 11 AM and backed into our site. The sites are wide enough to easily accommodate sliders and awnings.. Notice in the picture (site2) that I am backed into the grassy side. I requested this because the west sun is on the driver’s side.
Early Monday morning, two MCD techs arrived with paper and tapes in hand. They discussed with us our options to help with the decision process and measured and documented everything we discussed. The picture shows the shades we replaced. Notice in picture "before" that the light protrudes through the night shade and you can not see anything through the day shade.
At about 11 AM I was called to the office to go over everything. We tweaked it a little bit and then I paid them. They want the payment for the product up front. The cost is exactly the same as if you ordered them for shipment to you less the shipping costs. The installation costs are invoiced once the job is completed.
Tuesday they gave all of the customers a guided tour of the factory which was quite impressive. Much of it is automated, but there is still a lot of hand work needed. We were told that ninety percent of the materials are American made and by the end of the year all materials will be American made.
Late afternoon Wednesday, the same two techs came knocking with a cart full of shades and by quitting time they had installed eight of the ten shades. I learned it is beneficial to have a fiver amongst the motor homes because there is no windshield and they tend to do the easiest first.
To cap off the day one of my SOB neighbors graciously hosted a mini-cookout/pot luck and as you can see in the pictures potluck1 and potluck2, it was yummy.
At eight ten Thursday morning one of the techs came and told me the motorized rear window shade would be ready in a few minutes and he would be back. True to his word, he was back in a few minutes and installed the remaining two shades (really four because the day and night shades are separate, but in the same bracket). After giving everything a final test, we were done. Note that in the picture "after" the new night shade allows no light to protrude and the day shades allow you to view outside while blocking the uv rays.
This whole operation was very pleasant and professional and by 11 AM we were on our way to Coffee Creek in Santo, Texas. PM me if you have any questions or would like to know the labor costs.
