Decorating RVs Tip - Cheap RV Windshield Curtains

When we purchased our 1993 Fleetwood Bounder, the motorhome curtains over the dashboard were hideous in too many ways to count. They endured water stains from open windows during the rain. In addition, they were just plain ugly! These were obviously the original camper curtains that came with our rv...and they had to go. However, being full time frugal rvers, replacing the rv window covers was out of the question...we had more important things to spend money on, such as food.

We eventually gave our entire motorhome a makeover, top to bottom, extremely inexpensively - and succeeded at making it feel warm, like home. Many a night we spent lying in bed, brainstorming affordable ways to renovate our recreational vehicle, including that awful blob of fabric hanging around the front of our Bounder. Then it dawned on us...could this idea truly work? If so, we could accomplish this task for a fraction of the replacement cost.......

The idea hit us one evening...what about shower curtains to replace our motorhome curtain? So we started listing the qualities it would need to have, to be a successful solution for us:

1. It had to be a privacy curtain, where people cannot see in or out, especially at night when the lights are on inside.
2. Though decorative shower curtains are, indeed, fashionable...the goal is to save a fortune on this project. Because we will need 3-4 of them, that could add up quickly, so it needs to be affordable, yet we would like if it would match our coloring somewhat.
3. It needs to be durable enough to withstand continual opening and closing, tugging and pulling.
4. As a bonus, it would be nice if it was water resistant and/or easily cleaned, so that they stay fresh and clean.

Hanging these curtains was amazingly easy. In fact, we used the original hooks from the pleated curtains, to place them on the track. Because heavy-duty shower liners have metal grommets, we knew it could withstand a lot of beatings.

Here is how we did it:

1. There are more rv wheeled curtain carrier hooks on the track than you will need. So be sure to leave an easy exit to pull the leftover ones off the track.
2. We used the pleated drape hooks and put the skinny side through the grommet, the wider end through the wheeled carrier rings on the track, squeezed with pliers and moved on down the line, one hole at a time.
3. We ended up needing 3 curtains. Two of them we left full width, and dedicated one to each side. The third one we split in two, giving each side its portion. They actually flow together nicely! Thought we'd need velcro to stick them together, but it wasn't necessary. Looks like one panel on each side. TIP: Do NOT simply cut the third shower liner in half! Due to the track lengths, one side needed 2/3 of the curtain and the other needed 1/3. Only cut the width when it is hanging exactly as you desire.
4. We cut the length off after all liners were hung up...they cut like butter. Also, you don't want them looking uneven on the bottoms, so cutting them at the very end allows you to keep a nice even line going. Measuring won't work because the windshield curve makes the length vary too much. Make sure they are pulled exactly to the end of the tracks, lay them down how you would like, then cut off the bottom slowly, however you want it. We didn't want it too big, so we cut them leaving only a few inches to rest on the dashboard as well as a few inches below the side windows.

That's it! It didn't take long, they are still holding up great and, if we did damage them, it is nice to know we can replace them for next to nothing.

Our rv wheeled curtain carriers had rings, they did not have hooks on them (see both styles below). The hook style might work even better, but we didn't have that option. Possibly worth a try?

We also discovered a way to redo the dinette booth camper cushions, without sewing. We love no-sew projects...