Next question..Silver screen (external cover..)
This weekend we really noticed a drop in temperature. We've only had our M/H since September and it has been so mild.
It made me realise why people have external covers. We don't want an internal one but are more than happy to buy one that fits over the windscreen...so a few questions: (remember, I'm a complete novice)
1. Are Silver Screens a trademark? If so, are they considered a good screen to have?
2. Are there screens considered better than others and if so which and why? (In your considered opinions)
3. I have seen ones that fit around wing mirrors - how then do they attach?
4. Do you get specific one for your vehicle? For instace we have an Autotrail Tracker
5. Do they make a difference to the heat inside the MH?
Again, as always, thank you for all your help 
Comments
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Silver Screens is a brand name, as are Taylor Made. Both very good quality products, make a huge difference in Winter/cool weather to keeping MH warm. We have Silver Screens, can recommend, they fit like a glove round both doors and across screen. You can get some that cover fresh air intake as well. Another tip if you tour in Winter is to buy a small oil filled radiator, and use this to heat cab area when seats are turned round. Cab Area is often a bit of a cool spot, but if really cold, we find that just having this little radiator plugged in keeps whole van just nice overnight. About 18 inch square, we paid £19.99 for one from Dunhelm. Persevere contacting Silver Screens/Taylor Made, they are very busy. You do need to quote make and model for fit!
Edit: both companies are based in Yorkshire, one near Sheffield other I think is Wakefield, so you could ask to visit. We were going to collect ours, but they arrived day after ordering!
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Ours is by Taylormade and both they and Silverscreens produce excellent products which do what they're supposed to. Well worth the investment.
You order by your base vehicle type and they fit with Velcro etc depending on the model.
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We have Silver Screens, one of our best buys for the Motorhome. We found that the customer relations at Silver Screens were, to us, far superior than Taylor made. Having said that, they are both very good products. We use ours all year round as they make a big difference in hot or cold weather.....Don't make the mistake of buying cheaper products as you will end up buying twice, my friend bought a cheap cover and it lasted about three trips before tearing, think it was a maypole?.....
PS... We have had our Silver Screens for four years. Still as good as new...
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The biggest advantage of these two brands of exterior screens is that they insulate and prevent condensation which interior screens do not.
Kdee, look around the classified ads and the likes of eBay. You might strike lucky.
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Will endorse what Tinwheeler said, we had an internal screen to start with, but the condensation on the windscreen and dash was unbelievable. We got rid after two trips....
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Thanks TW for adding links!
Don't be put off by slow response to phones or emails. Both businesses are of the " small warehouse" type,
and certainly when we contacted them they were just so busy sometimes the phones went unanswered. But the products are top quality. Prevent condensation as well. Roll up into bag provided, dry quickly if it rains, and very lightweight, so no load issues!0 -
We have a Taylormade external screen and it has proved to be excellent. One advantage of Taylormade is that they make a longer version which covers the bonnet vents thus preventing water running off the screen into the engine compartment. I think with Silverscreens you have to buy an additional cover to achieve the same? Before buying have a good look at both websites in the links provided by TW above.
David
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Another tick up for silver screens from here.
Condensation on first trip was crazy and didnt realise how bad. Called silver screens, most friendly and helpful company i have ever dealt with and being a first time MH owner they took the time to explain the benefits and also made sure it was correct for
what i wanted. I thought i wanted a priva-see panel, they advised it would be a waste of money and guess what they were right, the viewing angles and amount of viewing space in the van out front window makes it pointless, just shows they care and are not out
to fleece you out of your hard earned.Ordered the screens and they were with me within 48 hours with no extra charge for delivery.
I used the silver screen but also put my internal door screens on aswell (came with the van) and the difference in temp and condensation was like night and day. The mistake i made was taking them off first thing in morning the day i was leaving then leaving
van for a few hours came back to condensation
but we learn as we go along. 0 -
We've had both Silver Screens and Taylormade. Didn't notice the difference. Currently using made to measure Van Comfort screens which fit better but are more expensive. Hardy used them in winter but they have been great in the summer to keep the van cool
[we have an aclass].Silver screens is a brand name and became a generic name as well - like Hoover. You can sometimes by the screens second hand.
The screens can be a pain to put on and take off on a miserable cold night. They also get wet and need storing until they dry out [shower tray an obvious place and you can wipe them down if you have room] but they do keep the van warm and most importantly,
the cab area free of condensation.An alternative is to buy a big microfibre towel to clean up the morning condensation or a Karcher window cleaner. Then use the power of the big Truma combi heater to keep warm. Worked for us for two years until we bought the latest screen covers to keep
out the sun.0 -
Another endorsement of external silver screens. We were lucky and got a secondhand one one eBay and reckon it's a toss up between the screen and reskelf (now duverlay) mattress toppers as to which is the best buy we've made for the motorhome. Ours stays
on whenever the vehicles not in use, including in storage and touchwood we've never had any damp issues. After us having it seven years it got a couple of tear splits, probably the sun as it faced due south! I mended them with silver duct tape which I stitched
as well as stuck, which extended the life for a while but I didn't want it looking like that when we were in site . Got lucky again in eBay BUT this one is not silver screen or Taylor made and we noticed the insulation properties far inferior during our
recent trip out (We have been unable to use our motorhome much this year) reading this thread has made the connection! Still it will do do storage hopefully. I'm sure one that covers the engine too maybe useful if you use in colder climes. Of course don't
forget to switch air inlet to circulating it helosa little!As for fixing there is Velcro over two 'extensions of material over each door fitting. Thus you fit it over the top and round the side if door as tightly as possible, I hold the extending bits as tight as I can while hubby closes door, then I Velcro into
place. Easier to do than explain .Yes you are right about the value and assistance offered on CT. One day the technology will make it easy to search for topics one day
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Unlike Apenshaw we have never had difficulty fitting or removing them, and never have a wet issue, damp yes but nothing to worry about or warrant putting in the shower.
Do agree they e great in the warm weather too.
They're great privacy without effort too.
We have curtains inside the cab, they are a pain to use. Don't now with silver screen .
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Good photo of David's, shows how neat and tidy they fit. We use ours all the time, don't bother with internal blinds or curtains. The front section over the windscreen can be rolled down, merely by loosening Velcro fasteners, so if you don't plan to use
MH on road, they can stay in place on site. Takes me under a minute on my own to fit them, unless a howling gale, then it might take a minute and a half! As with an awning, dry them thoroughly after each holiday and they will last years barring accidents.
David's are the longer type, fit over air intake, ours are the shorter type, and we put windscreen wipers up and then back down to fit, with no problems.0 -
Thank you for all who posted especially Take the dog along, really really helpful. I will look into both - I actually pass through both wakefield and sheffield for work so this may be useful!
This site never fails to impress me
Glad to be of help! Like you, not something we knew much about until buying our MH. But thankfully we had some good advice. Check on addresses, some time since we bought ours!
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We have external taylormade screens, excellent, but also carry a set of the Milenco internal screens as well.
Anywhere it is very windy we use the internal screens, or if it is pouring down when we arrive on site and I don't want to go out in the rain......!
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Good photo of David's, shows how neat and tidy they fit. We use ours all the time, don't bother with internal blinds or curtains. The front section over the windscreen can be rolled down, merely by loosening Velcro fasteners, so if you don't plan to use
MH on road, they can stay in place on site. Takes me under a minute on my own to fit them, unless a howling gale, then it might take a minute and a half! As with an awning, dry them thoroughly after each holiday and they will last years barring accidents.
David's are the longer type, fit over air intake, ours are the shorter type, and we put windscreen wipers up and then back down to fit, with no problems.Well-done takethedogalong we do same with wipers and fold down. I forgot to mention those bits.
Used our curtains last week with 'new inferior' screen to help. Temperature not very low either about 8c! Had forgotten what a pain they are! Still didn't twigit wasn't quality screen.
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Another vote for Silver Screens. I originally ordered from Taylormade, but contrary to their website , they wanted to charge me a large, but unspecified, delivery charge. I cancelled my order and reported them to Trading Standards.
I re-ordered from Silver Screens who I found were a very good company to deal with. The screen is an excellent product that fits my van exactly.
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kd, if it's wet when it comes to take the screen off, I wipe down with a microfibre cloth as I roll it off the windscreen. Saves getting wet when you put it in the bag....
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We have Taylormade screens just like DK's we phoned ahead while we were on holiday in the area and asked if we could call in to pick them up. Lovely people, they were busy making bike covers at the time but had plenty of the windscreen type we needed. They
are indeed good and easy to fit.0 -
so would you silver screeners recommend fitting it if MH is in storage ? We have one that is used when out on trip but not sure if it would be beneficial when no one using it.
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If our Motorhome was ever in storage (which it isn't) I would maybe use internal screens and draw all the curtains. If somebody really wants your screen, then I think it quite an easy task to take it off when nobody is about....Sorry but there are some nasty
ones about...
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so would you silver screeners recommend fitting it if MH is in storage ? We have one that is used when out on trip but not sure if it would be beneficial when no one using it.
We use ours whilst its in storage, always have. Touchwood not had a damp problem or condensation, could this be due to the screen? We choose not to keep our motorhome at our house. Insurance is cheaper as gold standard, I feel happier that it is secure.
Never thought about the screen being stolen! But then if someone wants something they'll find a method of taking it . Sadly some do things for a 'laugh'.0 -
The instructions with our Taylormade say it should not be left on when in storage. Don't ask me why.
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The instructions with our Taylormade say it should not be left on when in storage. Don't ask me why.
That is also my understanding from Silver Screens who used to make a screen called "Frost" to be used for storage. Changes in materials which could be used meant this had to be discontinued. I used a "Frost" screen while the motorhome was not in use until
in wore out 15 years later! I have just this year replaced it with a cheap and cheerful universal screen rather than use my expensive silverscreen for storage.peedee
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