Sun visor/curtain

Sun visors and cab curtains reduce glare, radiant heat and visibility into the driver's compartment of trucks, buses and vans. They directly contribute to visual comfort, quality of rest and safe operation, especially in vehicles used for international transport, coach transport or urban distribution. For MAN TGL, TGM, TGS, TGX and TG3 models, Mercedes Atego, Actros, Arocs, Antos and Econic, as well as Sprinter, Vito, Citaro, Tourismo and Neoplan buses, mounting points, window dimensions, guide rails and colour codes vary by version. Parts must therefore always be identified using the chassis number; visual comparison or selection based solely on the model name is never sufficient.

Interior sun visors are generally hinged or sliding and consist of a dimensionally stable plastic core, trim, hinge arms, retaining clips and, where applicable, an integrated vanity mirror. The visor must block direct sunlight without unnecessarily restricting the mandatory field of vision through the windscreen or side window. In truck cabs with high windscreens, such as the MAN TGX XXL or Mercedes Actros GigaSpace, dimensions and swivel ranges are specific to the cab configuration.

Curtain systems consist of blackout fabric panels, sliding hooks or runners, aluminium or plastic rails, end stops and mounting clips. Side, windscreen and partition curtains are available for sleeper cabs. Blackout fabrics usually have a multi-layer construction: a hard-wearing visible surface, a light-blocking intermediate layer and sometimes a thermally reflective backing layer. Correct pleating, sufficient overlap at the edges and a freely running rail are essential to prevent light leaks, rattling and premature wear of the guides.

A sagging sun visor often indicates worn hinge bushes, fatigued friction hinges or broken mounting lugs in the headliner. First check whether the visor itself has deformed due to heat exposure; prolonged UV exposure can affect plasticisers, causing the support to warp or become brittle. Then measure the play at the pivot point by carefully moving the visor up and down. Side-to-side movement, irregular turning resistance or insufficient holding force in the lowered position are reasons to replace the hinge or complete visor assembly.

For curtains that slide poorly, inspect the rail profiles along their full length for dents, loose screws and contamination from dust, tobacco residue or silicone-containing cockpit products. Do not pull hard on the fabric: this can tear the hem, hooks or plastic runners. Remove the curtain, clean the rail with a lint-free cloth and check the centre-to-centre spacing of the mounting points. A bent rail must be replaced; bending it back often causes local stresses and uneven running. Fit new runners in the prescribed quantity so that the load remains evenly distributed across the fabric.

Replace sun visors when the hinge housing has torn out, the core is deformed or the visor no longer remains stable in the parked position. Repairs using adhesive or universal clips are not recommended: the load on the hinge point is cyclical, and the original fit determines both the swivel resistance and the clearance to the windscreen and A-pillar. During installation, also check the mounting in the headliner; pulled-out clips or damaged insert nuts must first be properly repaired.

For curtains, replacement is recommended in the event of light penetration, a torn suspension tape, peeling coating or permanent contamination that affects hygiene and professional appearance. Install curtains without tension and check the overlap with window pillars and sleeper cab walls when closed. A correct fit prevents the fabric from getting caught between door seals or window mechanisms. Braem can help identify cab parts with the correct version and mounting based on the chassis number, minimising downtime and incorrect installation.