Interior windshield and side windows cover

[vtnook]

Wondering if anyone has an extra for sale or knows where one can be purchased. We just took ownership of a 2000 Concourse and the "dealer" we bought it from threw in a 99 curtain but it's not an exact fit. I can make it work but the snaps across the front don't quite line up. (Maybe it shrunk?)

[Blue~Go]

Congrats on your new Chinook!

I've seen the cab curtain that came with mine (obviously), and photos of a 2003. They were basically the same except I did notice that the 2003 the curtain kind of "wrapped around" the pillars a bit more into the living area (better privacy). Not to sound negative, but they were not really anything to write home about (IMO). I would think you could have one made that might even be nicer (try a boat canvas shop or similar).

OTOH, if the curtain fits reasonably well, you could possibly change the snaps on the curtain - or add additional ones - to fit the studs screwed into the Chinook (vs. moving those would leave holes in the pillars)

In case you are thinking about other ideas: I don't use mine. Instead I have the typical windshield insert (that you use to keep sun out) and then I made two form fitting Reflectix panels for the side windows (friction fit). I just cut it close to the right size, then kind of pressed it into place and then cut it where it left marks to get it just right. If you don't want the silver look, I have seen people spray glue fabric onto it. I just always use the windshield folding sun panel anyway, and this way I can just add the side panels when I want. Also the doors can be opened and closed without having to duck under the curtain.

Not that there is anything wrong with having a nice curtain!

BTW, there is probably a matching curtain panel that snaps over the rear door area (just a flat panel about 18" x 24" with two snaps at the top).

BG

PS: I just have the basic silvery folding windshield cover in the Chinook; but in my car I have one made by Covercraft that is really nice. Subtly colored foil on the outside and felty type stuff on the inside. Folds super easily and fits the windshield well, plus very durable. I found out about them because a friend got a new Subaru and it was an option and when we looked more closely we saw it was a Subaru branded Covercraft. I keep meaning to get one for the Chinook.

[caconcourse]

Wondering if anyone has an extra for sale or knows where one can be purchased. We just took ownership of a 2000 Concourse and the "dealer" we bought it from threw in a 99 curtain but it's not an exact fit. I can make it work but the snaps across the front don't quite line up. (Maybe it shrunk?)

I would be surprised if there was any change in dimensions of the curtain in those model years. There is probably some variance in the snap placement just in the manufacturing processes. They probably installed the snaps in the cab with the curtain in hand, to ensure they lined up.It was actually pretty nice for you dealer to provide one at all, if the original was lost, because they aren't that easy to replace, unless you have one made.

If it is just a matter of moving snaps to make them line up, I wouldn't hesitate to unscrew them and relocate them to fit your curtain. The screw holes aren't very noticeable in the wall fabric, because it kind of fluffs out around the hole. You could remove one and see for yourself if you could stand it or not. Otherwise, you could relocate the snaps on the curtain or remove and install new snaps, but that is a little more difficult than unscrewing the "male" snaps on the walls.

Congratulations on your purchase. You will have so much fun in your Concourse!

[Scott]

I use a folding windshield thing and I have tinted cab windows. It takes 2 seconds and provides more than adequate privacy for us. I like leaving the cab windows open a couple inches for cross ventilation (window visors). The Chinook privacy curtain was cumbersome and it annoyed me; I don't even know where it is.

In extreme weather, I recently started putting up a fleece blanket to block the cab. It's pretty helpful. Loop the corners in the upper seat belt rings and shut the upper cabinet door over an edge of the blanket to hold it up. It's not a tight "seal" but it's fast, easy, and it works. An actual curtain would be better, but for me it's so rarely used I don't want to look at it all year.

[Blue~Go]

Scott: Sounds like we are on the same page with the cab curtain. Mine didn't even provide very good privacy, due to not wrapping around the pillars (I noticed in a photo of a 2003 that they did make it wrap around the pillars then).

Like you, I have a pair of fleece curtains that quickly separate the cab from the coach. Often the cab is too hot or too cold, and sometimes even though it's obviously an RV, I just want the cab to look more "normal driving cab-like" and not like I'm settling in for the duration (e.g. "knock knock, you know you can't overnight here" -- even though it's 3 p.m in a shopping center, I have no intention of overnighting, and I just did some shopping and am putting stuff away).

I should get some of those side window visors for the cab. I rarely think to leave those windows open, yet they provide such good ventilation!


******

BTW, the correct way to do snaps and canvas is to place the snap studs in the solid surface first, so they are all nice and even and where you want them. Then you set the fabric in place and install the snaps in it to make it fit correctly. I always notice jobs where they did the reverse, and then when the fabric is not in place you see this uneven, wandering line of snap studs (very noticeable on boats). Not that it's a big deal either way in the Chinook cab.

[Kirah]

In addition to the curtain that snaps up over the windshield, mine came with a curtain that snaps up between the cab and the house. I was pretty sure the curtain wasn't original material (it is hideous, even by the standards of the day), but it sounds like the snaps might be aftermarket, too? It does go up and down pretty fast, though. Just three snaps: one at each end, and one in the center. I use this one way more often than the one that goes over the windshield.

Didn't take the pic with the intent of showcasing the curtain :)

[Astrodokk]

Kirah, how far down does the center of the curtain go? I see in your photo that they are in front of the Flexsteel seats, so I assume they are short there. Does it cover all of the center aisle to the floor?
I was thinking of doing something like yours, but I wondered if it would look better behind the front seats rather than in front of them. Also, going behind them would allow a longer curtain to the floor.
Also, people would know that someone is inside, since it looks temporary on the outside of the seats. If they were behind the seats, it would look more like they are always there, even during driving. Just my personal OCD opinion. Wondering what to use in mine.

[Blue~Go]

I'm not Kirah, but I put my cab curtain behind the seat backs. Keeps the cab looking "cab-ish" and too, I feel less like I'm living in the back of a bus, staring at seat backs of the people in front of me

If you want to try something, here is what I did at first:

1) Buy a couple yards of cheap fleece at Walmart or Jo-Ann or etc. Black just looks like there is nothing there pretty much.

2) Cut in half (I have two panels so I can go between them up to the cab). In case you have not worked with fleece before, you can just cut it with scissors and leave it - it won't fray or anything (as long as you just get "normal" fleece and not the extra fluffy variety - that will fray to some extent).

3) Carefully straight pin to the fabric on the entertainment area (or maybe tape). You don't want to leave permanent marks. In the center you might be able to close it in the middle cupboard door for a mockup, too.

With this arrangement, I actually never move the driver's side one more than just a little bit. I just make it so it's only behind the seat (since I'm not an owl, I can't see straight behind me anyway). On the passenger side I do slide it over. (I don't still have it pinned - that was for a trial.)

And Astro, running the fabric behind the seat backs might have a side benefit for you: Since you won't be able to see the driver/passenger seats, maybe you can run the passenger seat up and make more room for the forward club chair

[Astrodokk]

You made me LOL!

[Kirah]

If hung behind the seats, the curtain goes right to the floor all the way across.

I took the back off my couch so it's all bed all the time, so I often use the back of the driver's seat as a back rest for lounging, and find that I hate having the curtain hanging there. So I throw it on the other side. On the passenger side, now that the dinette is out, I have a few things bungied to the back of the passenger seat - a folding dog crate, a folding table, sometimes an extra chair. That's stuff I need "inside", so again I throw the curtain to the front of the chair.

I guess it never bothered me to see the front seats.