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hmwinc

Cockpit Sun and Heat

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My wife and I have a Winnebago Vista that we travel back and forth Tucson AZ and Lisbon, IL in. We are traveling mostly early mornings though at times late afternoon. Depending on our direction of travel we face the afternoon sun when headed west and the morning sun when headed NE and the heat from the side windows is intense and the sun in the windshield makes it hard to see. 

Our first solution was to have Ziebart install Nano Ceramic Performance tinting to the cockpit side windows. What a difference that made in the heat coming in through the window. Very reasonable priced and they completed the work in 2 hours. We were very satisfied with the 35% tint allowed in Illinois where the coach is licensed. 

The next thing we tackled was the front window. Illinois allows just 6" of tint from the top of the windshield. We solved that problem by ordering from a seller on EBay 2- 3/16" X 45" X 9&1/4" plexiglass sheets. The sheets actually have the tinting inside of two lessor sheets making them 3/16 thick. We found out the hard way that installing tinting sheets onto plexiglass lasted about 5 minutes before it started to curl. The company that made ours solves the problem by compressing the tint inside like a sandwich. They even bull nosed the corners so there are no sharp points to get caught on. Just go to EBay and search for popdisplays for their products. They do custom work so look for "ask the seller a question" and give them your needs. Both the drivers side and the copilots side were less than $60 and that included shipping. Six days from order to receiving. 

Now we needed a way to hold them on the sun visors. My wife went to Walmart and purchased the thickest clear vinyl they carried. She measured around the visor and added 1/4" to allow for inserting the tinted shields. The visors are about 17" long so she made two for each visor that were about 6" wide. She stitched the vinyl using her regular sewing machine and then helped me install them on the visors. The shields from popdisplays slid right in and now we have perfect sun visors that cover the whole window side to side at eye level. 

If anyone would like more information or pictures email me at hmwinc@gmail.com

 

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At least you have sun visors to start with.  My 2015 Winnie Sightseer 35G doesn't have sunvisors, but does have the electric mesh curtain that I can lower part way.

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hm,

As you have found out, there is a lot of heat in the cockpit area when traveling in the heat of the summer. Some folks will run their generator and roof air to help keep cool. We have a curtain that we use behind the pilot and co-pilots seats. It helps the dash air from trying to cool the entire coach and keep the cool air in front. 

However there are times when we will run the dash air and the gen/roof airs and still be uncomfortable. Don't you just love the Southwest? 

As for the glaring sun, check with MCD Innovations in McKinney, Texas. They can install a power sun visor that will cover the entire front windshield.

                                                    mcdinovations.com                972-548-1850 

Good luck and keep cool.

Herman

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