fitted cab blinds on 2014 warwick xl

Anyone else have problems  with these pesky blinds ?

1) virtually impossible to close windscreen blind as it fouls the interior mirror...have to remove reverse camera mirror.

2) nearside blind fitment obscures nearside lower mirror...essential for continental  use.

our dealer says they cannot be changed under warranty....my argument is that they are not fit for purpose.
I intend taking this up with AS direct...any feedback / comments  / resolutions would be most welcome.

Note that on 2015 models they have reverted to the seitz blinds systems....obviously AS realises the problem....why do we have to be guinea  pigs on £50k vehicles ??

1) I agree that the blind fouls the mirror (our van is a Duo, not an XL, but the cab is the same). The solution is not to remove the reverse camera, it is simply to bend the camera / mirror assembly down enough to allow the blind to pass and this works OK (I admit it is a pain, but doable)

2) The simple solution to the nearside blind obscuring the view in the mirror, is simply to remove the blind assembly during the day and drop the assembly into position during the night. The blind assembly comes out with about 4 screws and can be stored in the over-cab space during the day and then just rest it in position when you want the privacy.

The above solutions are not perfect, but they do work.

And no, we should not have to come up with these ad-hoc solutions to AS faults in design.

Thanks  Sposke.....good solutions....can just get blind over reverse camera....guess i will just have to carry a philips screwdriver so that we can go to bed !!

Couldn't agree more with your comments Geoff.
I have a Symbol with the blinds fitted. Like Spopse, I adjust the rear view mirror before pulling the blind up and it does just pass without taking the camera mirror off, so can live with that.

It's the side screens that are not fit for purpose, as it blocks the lower widescreen mirror , which is not just essential for continental travel but also on roads where slip roads join the main highway.
I am thinking of getting a blind spot mirror to put in the top corner of the upper mirror for my trip to Germany.

Hubert

managed to speak to A S late yesterday....seem reluctant to admit that the 2014 blinds fitments are not up to the job.
They offered to fit the Seitz blinds system(as fitted to 2015 models ) at a reduced price; however this means forking out another £400 to correct their mistakes and will add no value whatsoever to our van....guess i will just have to live with removing the nearside cab blind every time i am driving...what a ball ache and disappointing  (but predictable) response from A S.
What clout the A S owners club in these situations ?

geoff brooke wrote:
What clout the A S owners club in these situations ?

ASOC have regular meetings with the AS technical management. ASOC will not lobby for one particular ASOC member but if several ASOC (not ASOF) members contact and convince the clubs technical representative, Baz Wellard, that there is a generic problem then he will raise the subject with the company. This will get the topic 'on the table' with AS Management but that is the limit of the ASOC input.

Peter #1

Thanks Peter...much obliged...if any other "sufferers" wish me to collate and speak to Baz as a collective, then Im happy to move this issue on.

Hi Geoff,

I have a 2014 Warwick XL and agree that the cab blinds are extremely poor compared to those used in earlier models and indeed the new 2015 Warwicks.
I've researched alternatives and the best price I can find for a set of Remis cab blinds is £475 and £90 to fit so £400 sounds like a reasonable deal.

Good luck if you do follow this up and succeed........I'm sure you'd have lots of grateful ASOF members rushing to change.

Garry

Are we talking about the front screen blind ? 

I cant work our one out ! Is there supposed to be a cord that runs from bottom to top ? 

We have a cord laying in the dash behind the blind body and I cant get the flaming blind to stay up. It is absolutely hopeless. 

Does anyone have a diagram on how the cord goes and what is supposed to do ? 

Also if anyone can tell me how to make the damn thing stay up I would be chuffed to bits ! 

Thanks.

sounds like the cord has become detached...shouldnt be on the dash....should be under tension to ensure blind stays in position.....try a warranty claim...have doubts if its repairable.
even if repairable it will entail removing the blind and its housing from the windscreen...not a job I would like...fiddly.
Dealer should help....replacements very expensive for what they are.

geoff brooke wrote:sounds like the cord has become detached...shouldnt be on the dash....should be under tension to ensure blind stays in position.....try a warranty claim...have doubts if its repairable.
even if repairable it will entail removing the blind and its housing from the windscreen...not a job I would like...fiddly.
Dealer should help....replacements very expensive for what they are.

Only had the van a few weeks. It was like it when I got it but being a complete novice I had no idea something was wrong till I started trying to use it. 

On our van a 2013 (late) Kemerton there are pul round curtains on a rail so its not really needed or privacy but I was told it would help with condensation. 

I will call the supplying dealer and get them to sort it ..

geoff brooke wrote:sounds like the cord has become detached...shouldnt be on the dash....should be under tension to ensure blind stays in position.....try a warranty claim...have doubts if its repairable.
even if repairable it will entail removing the blind and its housing from the windscreen...not a job I would like...fiddly.
Dealer should help....replacements very expensive for what they are.

Only had the van a few weeks. It was like it when I got it but being a complete novice I had no idea something was wrong till I started trying to use it. 

On our van a 2013 (late) Kemerton there are pul round curtains on a rail so its not really needed or privacy but I was told it would help with condensation. 

I will call the supplying dealer and get them to sort it ..

Agree with all the comments on quality and vision issues.

Doubt these are covered under warranty, whenever we have collected a new van have always been told at hand over don't leave any of the blinds closed all the time as not covered and expensive to replace!

Does anyone have a diagramme or drawing for how the cords go on the front screen blind ? 
It would really help ! I would if possible like to put our one right myself if for no other reason I can do it if it happens again . 

Thanks.

Charliefarlie wrote:

On our van a 2013 (late) Kemerton there are pul round curtains on a rail so its not really needed or privacy but I was told it would help with condensation. 

It won't Charlie. Put that one to bed straight away.

The only way to reduce condensation is to keep the windscreen relatively warm, and no sort of internal screen will do that. An external screen (like a Taylormade [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] or Silverscreen [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]) will almost eliminate condensation except for a bit at the bottom when it's really cold, and the increase in temperature they make to the steering wheel end of the van is quite surprising. They are basically windscreen duvets!

In my opinion Silverscreens fit better and are easier to put on, but the long Taylormade is very useful as it covers the front vents as well, keeping the draughts out.

A bit off topic, but hopefully useful.

Dave

I have recently fitted some Remis Blinds in my Warwick Duo - the front window is the  Horizontal type where2 blinds are pulled from the side to the middle and magnetically hold together.
The blinds are great - I was worried as my previous 'van had similar blinds but the fittings were quite large and felt intrusive on my eyeline - in particular the runner and housing at the top of the windscreen.  The latest model of blinds (v3 i beleive) are signifcantly less intrusive at the top of the window, however the issue of the mirror/monitor is still a problem when  clsoing the blinds.

To get over this I have simpley re-routed the monitors cable so the monitor can now sit on the dashboard with the cable out of sight at the bottom of the windscreen.  To secure the monitor I have purchased a small 'phone' type suction fitting, with a weighted mat (with flat surface for the suction device) and attached it to the clipboard on the dash.  The size of the monitor effectively hides the mat and fitting and it looks and works fine and allows me  to open/close blinds without the need for removing mirrors/monitors

Gromit wrote:

Charliefarlie wrote:

On our van a 2013 (late) Kemerton there are pul round curtains on a rail so its not really needed or privacy but I was told it would help with condensation. 

It won't Charlie. Put that one to bed straight away.

The only way to reduce condensation is to keep the windscreen relatively warm, and no sort of internal screen will do that. An external screen (like a Taylormade [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] or Silverscreen [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]) will almost eliminate condensation except for a bit at the bottom when it's really cold, and the increase in temperature they make to the steering wheel end of the van is quite surprising. They are basically windscreen duvets!

In my opinion Silverscreens fit better and are easier to put on, but the long Taylormade is very useful as it covers the front vents as well, keeping the draughts out.

A bit off topic, but hopefully useful.

Dave

Yep your right Dave.. 

I took the van to Nick Whale the supplying dealer of our van who are brilliant and offer great after sales service. The fitter put the cords back in seconds ! So easy when you know how 

I did phone the Auto Sleeper factory who promised to get back to me with either a PDF or diagram or at least the make and type of the blind so I could look it up and do the job myself if possible. 

They failed miserably which I find extremely disappointing .  

I hope to get to the Malvern show where I will be looking at a Tailor made cover and some of those Lilypad wind blockers.  My list is growing !

Same cab blind problem on my 2014 AS Kemerton. Side blinds not fit for purpose, obscuring lower mirrors, esp. the nearside. They are responsible for creating a blind spot when driving, thus potentially dangerous. We have already experienced a near miss due to this hazard. The advice provided by Spospe to overcome such danger is cumbersome, but thankfully most welcome. Hopefully this issue can be taken up by the membership and resolved by the company.
PS. I also find that the side blinds, when you wish to cover the windows, have difficulty staying up, eg. next morning, one or both have dropped down from their original placement.
 
Mel

Mel Battersby wrote:Same cab blind problem on my 2014 AS Kemerton. Side blinds not fit for purpose, obscuring lower mirrors, esp. the nearside. They are responsible for creating a blind spot when driving, thus potentially dangerous. We have already experienced a near miss due to this hazard. The advice provided by Spospe to overcome such danger is cumbersome, but thankfully most welcome. Hopefully this issue can be taken up by the membership and resolved by the company.
PS. I also find that the side blinds, when you wish to cover the windows, have difficulty staying up, eg. next morning, one or both have dropped down from their original placement.
 
Mel

Our Kemerton which is a late 2013 (September) doesn't have blinds on the side windows. It has a pull round curtain on a rail for privacy which it provides very well.. 

Could I see a picture of what you have please ? 

Thanks.

Charliefarlie wrote:
Our Kemerton which is a late 2013 (September) doesn't have blinds on the side windows. It has a pull round curtain on a rail for privacy which it provides very well.. 

Could I see a picture of what you have please ? 

Thanks.

Don't get over excited Charlie - your list of garage fillers is becoming a bit alarming.  

We had the curtains on our previous van, and Remis blinds on this one. To be honest there's not much to choose.

The blinds look very neat and work quite well, but it's something else to go wrong, as you know already - and if they get damaged it's going to cost a lot to get them replaced or fixed. The curtains were perfectly good, and were very quick and easy to close or open. There's nothing much to go wrong with them, and if they did get damaged I expect Mrs Farlie could repair or replace them perfectly well on the sewing machine.

Progress is not always desirable!!

Dave

No camera Charlie. The AS manual refers to them as Seitz Concertina Blinds. These blinds are situated on all the windows on my 2014 Kemerton. They are made out of a paper type material. They are pulled up from their housing at the base of the window. For the side cab windows you lift and swivel the front part of the blind, nearest to the windsceen, to cover the window. A catch on the top of the blind is supposed to hold the blind in place when its pushed into the top of the door rim. This is not always successful, as I have previously explained. It is the blinds housing on the cab side windows that obscures the lower mirror on my vehicle. That is why I will take the advice provided by Sporse and remove the housing when driving esp. the one on the nearside of the van.

Mel

Mel Battersby wrote:No camera Charlie. The AS manual refers to them as Seitz Concertina Blinds. These blinds are situated on all the windows on my 2014 Kemerton. They are made out of a paper type material. They are pulled up from their housing at the base of the window. For the side cab windows you lift and swivel the front part of the blind, nearest to the windsceen, to cover the window. A catch on the top of the blind is supposed to hold the blind in place when its pushed into the top of the door rim. This is not always successful, as I have previously explained. It is the blinds housing on the cab side windows that obscures the lower mirror on my vehicle. That is why I will take the advice provided by Sporse and remove the housing when driving esp. the one on the nearside of the van.

Mel

It seems then your van despite being a few months newer has a different set up... We have no blinds on the side windows just the sun blind that pulls up from the bottom across the front screen.. 

Ok Charlie that explains it...no blinds on side windows. It seems though I do have the same blind as yours on the front screen..like others I have a problem pulling it over the reversing camera that clicks on to the mirror [even though I always turn the camera downwards] worried if its going to damage the fragile blind.
Mel
PS always enjoy your contributions to the forum..learning more each day...

I have just picked up this topic as I am travelling in Europe in my 2014 Duo and the passenger door blind is a real pain cause you can't see whilst overtaking. I have emailed Baz at the owners club and he says it's the first time that he has heard this complaint. Therefore perhaps all those affected need to get together in order for the owners club to lobby Auto-Sleepers. Any suggestions as how we can forward this?

I have just picked up this thread 'cos we have just bought a 2013 Dorset, yesterday! The first thing I noticed as we left the dealer was the 'missing' lower nearside mirror. I can see there are only a few screws holding it so that's going into our back bedroom along with the tables, oven shelf, spare seat pads? and the grill pan.
And the windscreen blind, horizontal, is a good idea badly executed. I'm not going to risk damage to the blind by forcing it past the mirror. (BTW I would prefer reversing 'squeakers' to the camera version)
Pretty bad design on such an expensive vehicle.