Hmmm...I am beginning to think that my problems with the Grizzly blind, 2022 model, that I am having are something that may be a new "feature" with this years models and/or related to transportation issues.
I happened to remember that I had trouble with the windows flopping open on initial transport to my farm. (I had about a 60 mile trip that was uneventful in terms of happenings and/or weather/wind conditions, as I recall.) In other words, nothing special happened on what I would consider a normal transport to the area of use from the place of purchase.
But once I got to my farm I saw that several of the windows, and also the main door, had opened during transport. (Yes, I am certain that all were closed and fully latched when I began the trip.) See pics below. The front window, the one that opens "up", had almost come out of its opening in the outer plastic shell. It would not close and latch as the perimeter seal had slid down probably an inch. I had to "work" the seal back into place all around on all of the windows as I recall to allow them to close.
Perhaps this is where my leaking seals stemmed from??
I also am pretty sure that the windows came with a protective, removable film on them. I recall having to remove that from all of the "glass" (really plastic) when I got it to my farm.
Me spit balling here...did the slippery protective film on the windows from the factory lead to the hard plastic window "catches" slipping during transport to the point where the windows flew opened and then flopped in the breeze, etc, so as to break the perimeter seal around each of the windows/door? Hmmmm...
Was there a caulk/silicone seal on the exterior where the window frames meet the outer, hard plastic shell? If yes, I think it would have been wrecked on transport. If no...
...given all this, I am going to start my Grizzly "blind rehab" effort with a good bead of silicone around the exterior perimeter of each of the openings. I can't see where it could hurt...it might actually solve the worst of the problems. My recollection is that the black plastic window perimeter "trim" is not rubber, but more of a hard plastic. So I don't think the silicone will attack it.
Bottom line...when moving these blinds at highway speeds...secure all windows with something beyond the factory "catches", as they may vibrate loose in transit. I wonder if I had peeled back the slippery film prior to transport if the "press fit/friction based" catches would have held??? Hmmm...
