Outside Sun Visors

[al chernoff]

For those of us using the Garmin III Plus, the Garmin company sells a
extension of the antenna with a 6' lead so we can position it in another
location. Just my thoughts.
al

> Patrick:
>
> You say you "plan to mount a marine GPS antenna on the cab roof".
>
> Is it anything that's on p. 62 of the 1999 West Marine Master catalog?? If
> so, which one??
>
> Paul Bartz
>
> From: Patrick.Flowers
> [mailto:Patrick.Flowers]
> Sent: Friday, January 14, 2000 9:41 AM
>

> John, Rick, Arch, JR and Dave, thanks guys for the responses on the
> outside sun visors.. So far I've learned:
>
> > 5. they don't appear to interfere with GPS reception
>
> To clarify, the fiberglass will block satellite reception(even tree leaves
> block the satellite signal), but since the visor is relatively narrow, it
> will only block a small "slice" of sky. My Delorme Tripmate seems to work
> best when placed at the forward edge of the dash near the center of the
> passenger side windshield. There's not enough room on the drivers side for
> the unit to lay flat and the center brace seems to interfere with reception
> slightly. Neither Dad or I have a sunvisor, so I can't say how the Delorme
> would work with one in place.
> On my "wish" list is a standalone GPS that will accept a remote antenna
> input and a serial output(Garmin GPSII Plus is my current target). I plan
> to mount a marine GPS antenna on the cab roof for best reception.

 

[philip l. stewart]

Netters,
I'm interested in hearing anyone's comments (pros and cons please) on
the after market fiberglass sun visors some GMC owners have installed on
the outside of the cab over the windshields. I've noticed that a lot of
truckers use similar exterior visors on their cabs these days. I'm
wondering if these add on visors noticeably and adversely affect the mpg
of the GMC due to more wind drag. I'm not sure I like the appearance
of the visors but I know I don't like the sun in my eyes I often
experience while driving . I would expect the visors should help in
that regard. Thanks everyone.
Phil Stewart
'76 Transmode, TN

 

[john nepper jr.]

Chuck Kokesh in Omaha has 2, one-piece sunvisors available for $400
each.
You can contact him @ (402) 592-7620
They must be picked up in Omaha because freight would be a killer.

John '76 Palm Beach, Omaha

>
> Netters,
> I'm interested in hearing anyone's comments (pros and cons please) on
> the after market fiberglass sun visors some GMC owners have installed on
> the outside of the cab over the windshields. I've noticed that a lot of
> truckers use similar exterior visors on their cabs these days. I'm
> wondering if these add on visors noticeably and adversely affect the mpg
> of the GMC due to more wind drag. I'm not sure I like the appearance
> of the visors but I know I don't like the sun in my eyes I often
> experience while driving . I would expect the visors should help in
> that regard. Thanks everyone.
> Phil Stewart
> '76 Transmode, TN

 

[david l greenberg]

I too would like to hear experiences with these visors. I'm
especially
>concerned about their strength and wind resistance. We often get high
>winds here in and near the foothills of the Rockies. If I'm headed up
I70
>at ~60 mph, and there's a 75 mile per hour wind coming down at me,
that's 135 mph over the windshield. (And sometimes it's windier than
that!) So,
>it's got to be bulletproof. Any comments?
>
>Rick Staples
>'75 Eleganza
>Louisville, CO

Rick,

My visor blew off under similar conditions: 65 miles an hour, 40-50 mph
wind and a semi from the opposite direction doing at least 65 mph.

The problem however, was the mounting of the visor. There were only two
screws along each side. It needs 4 screws in addition to the 6 screws in
the front. Or if your inside cap is off, put in backing plates and bolt
the visor down.

My $0.05 (inflation)

David Lee Greenberg
200 MacFarlane Dr
Delray Beach, FL 33483-6829
www.gmcss.com/registry.htm

 

[david l greenberg]

I have had a sun visor on my coach for the past 6 years. It does a great
job of minimizing sun and glare. I can't say what the impact on fuel
economy is but would guess there is some.

Mine blew off once and until I got to where I could reinstall it, I
suffered from the sun. In my first GMC, purchased new, before sun visors,
I never seemed to notice.

I think it enhances the appearance but that is strictly subjective.
The bottom line is I can't get along without it.

Mark Finke at OASI in Florida makes them and if Zeb Frady, in GA doesn't
have them, Mark will be your closest source to TN. Seems to me they are a
little over $300 unpainted.

David Lee Greenberg
200 MacFarlane Dr
Delray Beach, FL 33483-6829
www.gmcss.com/registry.htm

 

[philip l. stewart]

John, Rick, Arch, JR and Dave, thanks guys for the responses on the outside
sun visors.. So far I've learned:
1. appearance is not necessarily a negative--beauty is in the eye of the
beholder
2. effect on fuel economy is probably only slight negative and not noticeable.

3. visors are available from Mark Finke, Chuck Kokesh and possibly Zeb Frady
4. good effectiveness in blocking sun
5. they don't appear to interfere with GPS reception
6. they can blow off in powerful wind gusts, especially if not bolted down
well. 6 bolts and interior back up plates are recommended.

This last point to me seems the most serious draw back and one I had not
thought of before. I guess severe damage to the cab cap and /or other
vehicles sharing the highway could result if one of these things were to rip
off. I' ll continue to think more about this one . Again, thanks guys.
Phil Stewart
'76 Transmode, TN

 

[james bolick]

. I'm
wondering if these add on visors noticeably and adversely affect the mpg
of the GMC due to more wind drag. I'm not sure I like the appearance
of the visors but I know I don't like the sun in my eyes I often

Phil, I've had mine sun visor on for approx. 7 years, it does not affect
m.p.g., keeps the sun out of my eyes and I think it looks sharp.

Jim Bolick
'73 Painted Desert

 

[james bolick]

If I'm headed up I70 at ~60
mph, and there's a 75 mile per hour wind coming down at me, that's 135 mph
over the windshield. (And sometimes it's windier than that!) So, it's got
to be bulletproof. Any comments?

Rick, I went across I-80 in March with 70 M.P.H. winds and my sun visor had
no problem hanging on to the roof. Now, my small window awning is another
story.

Jim Bolick
'73 Painted Desert

 

[david l greenberg]

>6. they can blow off in powerful wind gusts, especially if not bolted
>down
>well. 6 bolts and interior back up plates are recommended.
>
>This last point to me seems the most serious draw back and one I had
>not
>thought of before. I guess severe damage to the cab cap and /or
>other
>vehicles sharing the highway could result if one of these things were
>to rip
>off.
>
Mine is the only one that came off as far as our club members are
concerned. I should also mention 5200 was used to cement the visor down.
When it blew off it sailed over the roof of the GMC, over a Jeep wagon
following me, landed along side the road and had only minimal damage. I
repaired the damage myself with a firbreglas repair kit from Kmart and
Alex refinnished it for me upon my return.

With the additional two screws on each side it has been solid. I did put
in the next size screw since the holes were now slightly larger. No
damage to the roof at all.

David Lee Greenberg
GMC Motorhome Registry
200 MacFarlane Drive PH4
Delray Beach, FL 33483-6829
ww.gmcss.com/registry.htm

 

[blank]

>
> John, Rick, Arch, JR and Dave, thanks guys for the responses
> on the outside sun visors.. So far I've learned:

> 5. they don't appear to interfere with GPS reception

To clarify, the fiberglass will block satellite reception(even tree leaves
block the satellite signal), but since the visor is relatively narrow, it
will only block a small "slice" of sky. My Delorme Tripmate seems to work
best when placed at the forward edge of the dash near the center of the
passenger side windshield. There's not enough room on the drivers side for
the unit to lay flat and the center brace seems to interfere with reception
slightly. Neither Dad or I have a sunvisor, so I can't say how the Delorme
would work with one in place.

On my "wish" list is a standalone GPS that will accept a remote antenna
input and a serial output(Garmin GPSII Plus is my current target). I plan
to mount a marine GPS antenna on the cab roof for best reception.

My $.02,
Patrick

 

[cbwood]

It may be possible to put in wind pressure reliefs as in the old louvers in the upper rear portion of them. That would minimize the pressure trying to tear it off and still keep the sun out..
FWIW...

CBWood
77 Kingsley
MWC OK
(on 'Digest' now)

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[bartz paul]

Patrick:

You say you "plan to mount a marine GPS antenna on the cab roof".

Is it anything that's on p. 62 of the 1999 West Marine Master catalog?? If
so, which one??

Paul Bartz

From: Patrick.Flowers
[mailto:Patrick.Flowers]
Sent: Friday, January 14, 2000 9:41 AM

John, Rick, Arch, JR and Dave, thanks guys for the responses on the
outside sun visors.. So far I've learned:

> 5. they don't appear to interfere with GPS reception

To clarify, the fiberglass will block satellite reception(even tree leaves
block the satellite signal), but since the visor is relatively narrow, it
will only block a small "slice" of sky. My Delorme Tripmate seems to work
best when placed at the forward edge of the dash near the center of the
passenger side windshield. There's not enough room on the drivers side for
the unit to lay flat and the center brace seems to interfere with reception
slightly. Neither Dad or I have a sunvisor, so I can't say how the Delorme
would work with one in place.
On my "wish" list is a standalone GPS that will accept a remote antenna
input and a serial output(Garmin GPSII Plus is my current target). I plan
to mount a marine GPS antenna on the cab roof for best reception.