Cover Up

One end of the telescoping pole (provided with the kit) is inserted into a pocket sewn into the fabric, which is positioned over its respective magnet stuck to the windshield. No ladder is required, and the process takes only minutes. (Photo courtesy Magne Shade)

Motorhome windshields offer great views — when you want them. A Magne Shade adds privacy without eliminating outside panoramas, plus it blocks 90% of the sun’s UV rays and a lot of its heat in the process.

By Bob Livingston

xpansive motorhome windshields offer splendid views of the road and scenery. Unfortunately, they also let in a lot of sunlight and heat. It’s just part of the deal; you can’t have that open feeling without some compromises on comfort. Makeshift window covers and standard sunshade material can help — and you can always extend the front privacy shade — but any view to the outside will be completely blocked out, not to mention darkening the cabin.

Magne Shade has just about perfected a sunshade that covers the front windshield as well as applications for the driver-, passenger and entry-door windows — without turning the interior as dark as a tomb. One key is the use of a high-quality PVC-coated polyester fabric that is “porous” in the sense that it’s weaved with innumerable tiny holes that, when installed, diffuse the sunlight entering the RV, providing light without being uncomfortable. It also allows you to see out — but from the outside, passers-by can’t really see in (except at night, when the interior is lighter than the exterior and you will draw your privacy curtains).

Beyond that, the fabric and its design combine to block 90-93% of the sun’s harsh ultraviolet (UV) rays — protecting interior furnishings in the process — and, according to testing done by the company, will reduce heat inside the coach by about 15 degrees as measured at the dashboard. An interior shade, on the other hand, tends to trap the heat coming through the front glass inside the coach — between it and the windshield — creating what Magne Shade inventor and owner Roger Hunckler calls a “thermal bubble.” Natural convection causes that bubble to rise to the ceiling, where it enters your ac vents and reduces the efficiency of the motorhome’s air-conditioning system.

As we said, however, the high-end fabric and weave is one key to the Magne Shade. The other is the use of strategically placed Rare Earth magnets that make set-up and take down quick and easy — without having to climb on a ladder to reach upper sections of the window once it’s installed the first time.

Magne Shade window covers are not off-the-shelf products. Each one is custom made to fit individual motorhomes, and the company has developed a precise ordering process that can be followed on its website. Company personnel can help you avoid mistakes, and although they have extensive knowledge of just about every motorhome model out there, they are sticklers for verification and will likely ask for accurate measurements to be compared with their numbers. Customers may also have to submit photos. For the project motorhome, the company sent its measurements to us prior to ordering and we were required to physically measure the windows to ensure that the numbers matched. The system worked flawlessly, and the sunshades were a perfect fit.

The magnets will not stick to windows that have been treated with certain products. If masking tape sticks to the glass, the adhesive on the magnets will also stick. The inside glass must be thoroughly cleaned. We first cleaned the window with glass cleaner and then with 50/50 mix of isopropyl alcohol and water, which is specified in the instructions.

Each magnet is pre-fitted with a 3M VHB adhesive disk. Magnets will be stacked, separated by a plastic disk, packed in boxes and clearly marked. These neodymium magnets are super strong, so use caution when handling. They can jump surprising far when metal is nearby.

Customers will also have to choose color and style. Most owners opt for the brown or black sunshade — the company’s “go to” colors — because darker colors reduce glare and provide a better view out from inside the RV. They also stay cleaner because they don’t show roof runoff, although the shades are easily cleaned with a mild detergent and a soft brush. Dark colors also are better at reducing heat gain.

That said, there are other options available. Magne Shade can print the shade showing colorful scenes from stock providers or one’s own photograph. Owners wanting a special scene printed on their sunshade can choose a stock design from www.bigstock.com or https://www.dreamstime.com, websites that are recommended by the company (both offer royalty-free images but require signing up for the service). There’s a $400 up-charge for a custom print ($200 for Class B and C motorhomes) and the company provides clear instructions on cropping that will work for the dimensions of the sunshade. Just make sure the image is not copyright protected; the company will only accept images that are authorized for this type of usage. Personal photos must be accompanied by a written permission letter from the photographer.

These sunshades are made to last, and the PVC coating keeps it them from drying out, stretching or cracking. Sunbrella UV binding not only looks good but is durable. Customers can choose from nine binding colors; marine-grade thread assures strength and customers should expect many years of service. In fact, after hanging a custom printed sunshade on a fifth wheel picture window (see sidebar) for six consecutive months during each of the last four years in the desert sun, the material — and image — still look brand new.

It’s a Stick Up

Installing the Magne Shade is not difficult, but it does require repetitive steps that can take a while to complete. The concept for attachment is brilliant: Extremely powerful magnets sewn into pockets on the perimeter of the sunshade are simply attracted to similar magnets that are mounted on inside of the window. Keep in mind that working with these strong neodymium magnets can get somewhat comical at times because they are attracted by other magnets and surrounding metal. If you remove the plastic divider and restack the magnets, they will be difficult to separate — to the point that you’ll likely be giggling for being stupid enough not to pay attention. The magnets are clearly marked in boxes and correspond to the placement specified in the instructions. And be careful: These magnets can impact medical heart devices and will pinch your fingers if not handled correctly.

sunshade being pre-fit to confirm that it will lay properly on the glass

windshield being prepped by man in peach shirt

Once the windshield is prepped, the sunshade is pre-fit to confirm that it will lay properly on the glass. This process takes two people and ladders.

You’ll need to enlist a helper to install the magnets; this will be the last time a helper and ladder are needed to mount the sunshade. Dry fit the sunshade first by stretching it across the window, while your helper places corresponding magnets inside the windshield. When all the magnets are placed temporarily, they should be adjusted at each pocket to make sure that each magnet is scooted over closest to the window gasket and centered. This will allow you to “bump” the sunshade into position to remove any wrinkles when installed after a period of non-use.

Once the pre-fit is accomplished, the inside of the windshield (or window) must be cleaned with a 50/50 mix of isopropyl alcohol and water and allowed to fully dry. Then, one person holds the pocket from the outside while the person on the inside removes the film off the adhesive on the magnet — don’t touch the adhesive — and sets the magnet in place. It’s best to initially mount the shade on a warm day, with the coach facing into the sun, to relax the fabric. Depending on the motorhome windshield configuration, slight alterations in magnet size and placement may be required, but Magne Shade will handle all those details and provide the proper materials with the kit. Windshield wiper covers also are provided with the sunshade.

When it’s time to install the sunshades while parked, the end of the telescoping pole (provided with the kit) is inserted into one pocket at a time and lifted so that the material is positioned against the attracting magnet. It takes only a few minutes while standing on the ground. Reverse the process to remove the sunshade. The same procedure is followed to install and remove the driver’s side and entry door window sunshades.

Installing sunshades on the driver’s side and entry door windows (if added) uses a similar magnet-placement procedure. Figure on one to two hours to install the sunshades for the first time, which should not be removed for 72 hours. The company also provides an excellent installation video and offers superb customer service.

a larger magnet marked precisely for proper mounting location

In some cases, a larger magnet will be required and marked precisely for proper mounting location in the instructions.

person holding the sunshade on the glass

As part of the pre-fitting process, one person will hold the sunshade on the glass while the other person temporarily “sticks” the magnet to the corresponding location on the inside of the glass. Magnets should be placed close to the window gasket and centered on the sunshade pocket (with the corresponding magnet). Once the locations are confirmed and the glass is clean, the protective film is removed and the magnet is applied to the glass.

a provided silane primer being applied to the location

On the exterior, a provided silane primer is applied to the location where the magnet will adhere to the glass. A clean cloth, moved in only one direction, is used to dry the solution.

The Magne Shade reducing UV rays and heat from entering the cabin

The Magne Shade significantly reduces UV rays and heat from entering the cabin of the motorhome, but the weave of the polyester fabric allows anyone inside the coach to see outside. (Photo courtesy Magne Shade)

Care must be taken when storing the sunshades. Never fold the shades; that creates a point that will stretch the polyester fiber. We found that rolling the fabric around a swim noodle — yes, yet another way to use the noodle — works well, while storing in a flat section of an exterior compartment will help keep the sunshade looking nice. Just don’t throw other items on top of the rolled sunshade and make sure there is no metal nearby to attract the magnets.

Cost for the Magne Shade windshield cover starts at about $625, but prices vary among different motorhome models and years. The entry door sunshade goes for around $210, while the driver’s door model has a $165 price tag, but that also depends on the type and size of window. Magne Shade will quote exact prices when requested.

Magna Shade sunshades not only look good while helping to maintain your privacy, they protect interior woodwork and furniture upholstery from UV rays. And, when properly installed and tight on glass, they can withstand winds of up to 60 mph. Add a custom image and you’ll be sure to attract a stream of gawkers.

Yes, They are Made for Trailers, Too

While Magne Shade is best known for its motorhome windshield sunshades, it also offers custom products for any size window — which means trailer owners are not left out. Pricing for the shade is dependent on size and image choice (if any) and will be quoted by the company.

Years ago, we had some fun with this concept and had a wine-glass scene printed on a sunshade made for the picture window adjacent to the dinette. The wine glass scene printed on a 46- x 46-inch shade, installed on a fifth wheel, retails for $450 ($250 for the fabric and $200 for the digital printing; prices will vary), plus shipping. The wine glass scene (Dreamstime No.19781468) we chose for the test was an instant hit in the RV park.

46- x 46-inch sunshade with a custom scene made for the picture window adjacent

A 46- x 46-inch sunshade with a custom scene was made for the picture window adjacent to the dinette in a fifth wheel. Not only does the scene make a statement, the protection from harsh UV light and heat is impressive.

Beyond the attention it attracts, the sunshade reduced heat dramatically, and kept the glaring hot sun off the adjacent dining table and hutch without pulling down the inside window shade. The difference in heat soak on the countertop was dramatic — and the wood was protected from sun.

Ordering Magne Shade products for a travel trailer or fifth wheel takes a little more time because the company will rely more heavily on your measurements and photographs. But don’t worry: the company is very thorough in verifying that the dimensions and cropping are correct. Installation follows the same sequence as the motorhome windshield, except that the magnets are attached to the outside of the window. Placing the sunshade in camp requires a stepstool, but that’s no big deal.

longer magnets needed to compensate for a recessed glass pane

Sunshade for the driver’s window is pre-fit in the same manner as the windshield cover. In some cases, depending on window style and operation, longer magnets will be needed to compensate for a recessed glass pane.

sunshade fitting nicely on the driver’s window

The sunshade fits nicely on the driver’s window, keeping the sun off the seat and dashboard.

Magne Shade’s stock colors are black and brown, which fit nicely with virtually any exterior color scheme. Customers also can opt for a custom printed shade, which carries an additional cost but definitely makes a statement.

Source:

Magne Shade
(336) 753-0905
www.magneshade.com

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