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Even back before I made my curtains to shade the ProMaster cab, I had been trying to get the company REMIS, from Europe, to adapt their Fiat Ducato cab shades so that they could be used in a US-Spec van. I had been trying for a couple of years, and it just wasn’t working. But apparently it wasn’t working not because they didn’t want to. They were just waiting for someone who wanted more than *one* of their shades to make it come true. Well, they found that partner in Winnebago, and now, I finally have a set. Check it out!
When we reviewed Winnebago’s new Pure3 Lithium-powered Travato models, we couldn’t help but notice the super-cool blinds they had installed as an option. Yep… REMIS. So we pestered Winnebago until we finally had a set to install in our own van. But there was a problem.
These blinds are made for later-model-year ProMaster vans – those that have a grab handle in the A-pillar. Ours is older (a 2015 chassis) and did not. Things were shaped a bit differently. But where there’s a will, there’s a way, and I got them installed. I show you how in this video.
Typically, I’ll do these projects in or near my shop, where I have all sorts of resources. But in this case, I did it in a field in Iowa, using only the tools I had with me (and one long screwdriver I borrowed). If I can do it under those circumstances, then I’d bet just about any of you reading this could pull it off, no problem. It’s not too difficult.
We’ve now driven halfway across the country with the shades installed, and we’re loving them. Now, when we pull in to go to the store, we don’t hesitate to deploy the cab shades. They keep the heat down. They keep prying eyes out. And most importantly, they keep cat hair off my dash. (which is almost as annoying as sand…)
And finally, since someone asked for an outside view, here we are. Here’s the front:
And here’s what the sides look like:
Until next time!
If anyone is still here, any insight on replacing a cracked windshield with this blind in place? Safelite won’t do it. Do I need to remove the blinds completely? Thank you!
btw- I really dislike these blinds and might just use this opportunity to rip them out completely. Bulky, noisy, hard to use, expensive. I’d rather have a sheet with magnets. My 2¢ 🙂
Yep. Still here!
I would just remove them until the new windshield was installed, and then put them back. (Or not.)
The install and uninstall aren’t too difficult.
Any idea where I can buy these shades to fit a 2020 Mercedes Sprinter? I had the Remis shades in my 2011 Winnebago View and loved them. I just purchased. 2021 Tiffin Wayfarer on a 2020 Mercedes Sprinter chassis and am looking for solutions. I know they don’t make the style I owned previously due to the airbags in the side pillars.
Thanks
I don’t know if they’ve made updated ones for the Sprinter yet. I know it took them a long while to work around the airbags in the ProMaster.
I’d say if anyone has a shot at having them, it might be Eurocampers.com
Nevermind, I should have read a bit further in the post to see the reasoning. Sorry about that!
Hi James,
I noticed in your 85 mods post that you said you removed the REMIS shades… I am looking for a better solution than the standard promaster shades, was curious why you removed them?
I’m offering a free cup of camp coffee to anyone that posts a video showing how to fold up the side window covers so they fit in the bag they came in.
I installed the REMIS shades with no problem (I have a 2016 Ram Promaster, so the foam leaves the same gap as on the FitRV), but I can’t get the shades back in the bag.
Who ever thought that retirement would be so tough.
I’ll take you up on that as I’ve already posted one.
It’s on the Travato Owners and Wannabes group on Facebook. (I think…)
Enjoyed the YouTube segment with the Wendlands. Can you provide purchasing options on the REMIS cab shades. Can it be ordered from Winnebago directly?
Thanks! BTW did you attend the AF academy, Colordao Springs?
You can call Winnebago Customer Service.
I put the part number in the article above!
I tried to leave this comment on your curtain page but it said “spam deleted”….??
You can use pleating tape e.g. https://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80296955/
Also with the magnets, you could use a cotton iron-on interfacing to hold them on instead of stitching pockets.
The curtain on the door, does it gather as much dirt if you close it before opening the door so it is less bunchy?
The curtain on the door doesn’t gather dirt at all if we close it before opening the door. But we don’t always remember, and honestly, we like to leave it open most of the time.
Hi. Are these only for Winnebago? Will they fit a 1990s model?
Remi makes shades for a variety of chassis. They’re not specific to Winnebgo, but they are specific to the chassis your motorhome is built on (Sprinter, Ford Transit, etc.).
Winnebago sells the ones that fit the Ram Promaster (Winnebago Travato).
You can occasionally get some of them from eurocampers.com.
I got a 2018 Ram Promaster 3500 and bought the front window shade kit and the shape of the clip doesn’t fit correctly around/next to visor post and the bolt they provided wasn’t long enough. With a longer bolt and because of the shape of the clip it still won’t line up correctly cause it goes on at an odd angle for the clip line up and work.
Bummer! Ours fit with no issues. Bolt lengths and fitment were both fine.
Hi James
The Remis front windshield screen kit installed by Winnebago in our 2019 Travato 59K has a broken white string which loops around the base threshold and around each fo the left and right jambs and somehow is fed vertically through the folded blinds 12″ to the left of center and right of windshield center line only visible on the outside view. This string somehow adds integrity to the unit.
My question to remove the blind the screws need to be removed from the pivot points at the base of the jambs. Your video looks like you used a phillips head screwdriver to install. I can’t determine which type of Europian screw heads were originally installed. It looks like they only screen on and can’t be removed. Any advice? Thanks in advance.
Bummer about the broken string. We never experienced that, though I heard others did.
In my install, I only used basic tools – no special screwdrivers required.
Sorry I can’t be more helpful, but we don’t have that blind – or even a Travato – anymore.
Can you share some pics of what the shades look like from the outside of Lance? Thanks for great content!
Updated the post with pictures!
Hello James, to follow up on my earlier post dated Aug 25, 2021. The mechanic at the local Ram dealer had better eyes than me and backed the screws out with a regular phillips screwdriver. I rebuilt the windshield blind and replaced the broken “shade support” string with a heavy gauge nylon string. All good now.
Glad you got it fixed!
Hi, James – I left an earlier entry asking about the wires in the front window blind kit. Since then I’ve found out from my dealer techs that on the OEM installs the wires signal the vehicle that the windshield blind is not fully retracted & (I believe) that the vehicle is then prevented from starting/moving in some way. Just FYI
Indeed they are.
If the safety nannies are reading, I won’t say if I hooked those wires up, or if I just cut them off…
That looks as though it adds appreciably to the already massive A-pillars. Is it bothersome to you?
Hi James,
found an english speaking link from Remis, but I guess it is the EU version of the Ducato that can be fitted with these shades for the front and side windows:
https://remimobil.de/en/produkte/fahrerhausverdunklung/remifront-fiat-ducato.html
I also found a link from a German camping shop that sells front and side shades from Remis and Dometic, See this:
https://www.campingshop-24.de/wohnwagenzubehoer-wohnmobilzubehoer/fenster-und-rollos/remis-remifront/?p=1
It says Front- und Seitenscheibenverkleidung fuer Fiat Ducato and they have quite a variety, so I think your German will be sufficient, to make that out, if not, get back to me and I will translate…
Here is another interesting link from a company that not only blocks views, but also insulates the windows against heat and cold which saves energy (either airconditioning in summer or heating in winter (this is the english speaking website of that German company)
https://www.blickdicht-manufaktur.de/
If you need more info, just send me a mail.
Keep up the great work!
Matt
Thanks for the info, Matt!
I looked, but I don’t think I saw *only* the side windows for a Ducato… only the whole kit.
I’ll keep looking.
…and the Sand Man speakith of cat fur too. Ha. You Da Funny Man James. But great video and may have to consider for our 2017 K too. Ours has those grab handles.
Don’t they also make sliding driver and passenger screens in addition to the inset models? Does anyone know if those are available as well for the PM?
thks
They do make the side door shades as well, but are not offering them in the US yet. More about the airbags we have in our version.
If you can find them from a European supplier, they should fit. No warranty expressed or implied for what happens if the air bags go off though…
OK everyone.
Didn’t realize so many of you would want them so soon!
I’m working to try to get a link where everyone can order up some cab shades.
When I have one, I will update the post itself with a link at the end.
Stay tuned!!
James-
Just go thru your contact, buy ten, get an amazon seller account, mark them up enough to cover Amazon’s commission and give you at least %20 profit, and shop them off to amazon as part of FBA— amazon will warehouse them sell them and ship them to customers with prime shipping.
Hell you can solicit interest in advance and if 40 people say they want them it’s worth buying ten.
Amazon takes care of all the big hassle.
I would rather pay you %20 (which should be easy since you should get wholesale pricing) and be able to buy them than try to track down REMI myself.
Honestly, we’ve never looked into that before.
It’s not a bad idea. But it is something we’d never envisioned doing with The Fit RV.
Where did you purchase your shades?
This is fantastic! Thank you for doing this video James!. So, where can one get a hold of these shades and how much do they cost? Do the screws on the bottom attach to the plastic window frame?
Hi James,
Thanks a lot for that usefull vidéo. Is it possible to get the Link where we can order thé stade system Remis ?
So these have to be ordered through WBGO? Pricey markup there.
Where would I be to buy the new windshield shade?
Well done. I also field installed mine at a rally on a 2019K. (Hint – it’s easier to install the tabs on the doors when the rubber trim is HOT and pliable.) Photobomb credit to “Rosie” the Doodle.
Great video! I have 2018 Pleasure-Way Lexor built on the ProMaster chassis. Any idea where non-Winnebago owners can get these shades? I’ve looked online, but can’t seem to find them.
Great post! i just bought new Travato 59k but did not get those fancy REMIS shades. So I WANT them.
Did you post the link to purchase? I don’t see it. If not, can you , PLEASE 🙂