Source? 1/4in plastic rod re awning rail

[Mikec557]

Hello everyone

The factory slid the awning a little bit to far toward the rear of the rv (5er Reflection 29RS). Actually, the tarp material is located sort of ok, but the white plastic bead, or rod, that keeps the tarp inside the circular track in the rail is pulled excessively to the left. This leaves about 4in of the tarp at the nose of the rig flapping in the wind when the awning is extended. There's too much tension to slide the bead back where it should be. But it looks like I could slide in a 1ft section from the front into the first 4in of the tarp, then trim off the excess.

I've measured the bead, it's .221 diameter.
Ideally I would like the right material, but I can't find it and I'm at a loss to dream up a good weather proof substitute.

Any ideas on source or substitute?

PS living and traveling full-time so dealership warranty work is out of the question.

Thanks in advance
Mike

[TucsonJim]

On our first GDRV rig, the plastic bead wasn't secured with screws, so it started sliding out and went a couple of feet before I caught it. Like you, I couldn't get it to slide back. So I inserted a piece of small wood dowel into the track and secured it with a screw. Since the dowel was rigid, it was much easier to install than a piece of flexible plastic. It held fine for a couple of years until the fire consumed it.

Jim

[powerscol]

Give GD service a call and perhaps the can send you a piece, otherwise contact the awning manufacturer.

[Joscelyne3]

Hi Mike . What is the manufacturer of your awning? If it is a Carefree, this may help. The internal spring of the roller is probably on the right hand side as you look at.
There should be 2 small holes on the end. You can try using a 6 to 8 inch piece of metal hanger that you can insert into one of those holes. Rotate the roller till you get some slack in the fabric, and insert the hanger so it keeps the fabric from rewinding. Then you should be able to unscrew the spline and pull it back to where you want it.
Then reverse the process, and hopefully you should be good to go.

Good luck and hope this helps.
Safe travels and good health.
John Joscelyne

[Cate&Rob]

Hi Mike,

GDRV would buy the awning fabric and drum as an assembly . . . so, likely would not have the separate piece you are looking for. I would expect this stuff to be readily available at any RV dealer repair facility. I would start there.

Rob

[Country Campers]

https://www.camperid.com/carefree/re...75378606814099

Here is a link to Carefree , awning cord. I believe the awning is Dometic though but this might work.

Brian

[Mikec557]

On our first GDRV rig, the plastic bead wasn't secured with screws, so it started sliding out and went a couple of feet before I caught it. Like you, I couldn't get it to slide back. So I inserted a piece of small wood dowel into the track and secured it with a screw. Since the dowel was rigid, it was much easier to install than a piece of flexible plastic. It held fine for a couple of years until the fire consumed it.

Jim

Thanks Jim

Mine too is missing a "set screw" at both ends. I didn't notice that until I saw the condition I'm in now. I'll be sure to add a screw at both ends once I get this fixed. I wondered about using a wooden dowel but thought it might not last out in the elements. I'll keep that in mind.

Mike

[Mikec557]

Hi Mike . What is the manufacturer of your awning? If it is a Carefree, this may help. The internal spring of the roller is probably on the right hand side as you look at.
There should be 2 small holes on the end. You can try using a 6 to 8 inch piece of metal hanger that you can insert into one of those holes. Rotate the roller till you get some slack in the fabric, and insert the hanger so it keeps the fabric from rewinding. Then you should be able to unscrew the spline and pull it back to where you want it.
Then reverse the process, and hopefully you should be good to go.

Good luck and hope this helps.
Safe travels and good health.
John Joscelyne

That's brilliant John. I'll look for those holes. I think it is a Dometic, I'll root around through my papers the rv came with. But whether it's Carefree or dometic, there has to be a similar hole. Locking out the tension would definitely make doing the repair a lot easier, even if I can't slide the original cord back into the proper location.

Mike

[Mikec557]

Hi Mike,

GDRV would buy the awning fabric and drum as an assembly . . . so, likely would not have the separate piece you are looking for. I would expect this stuff to be readily available at any RV dealer repair facility. I would start there.

Rob

Thanks Rob. Now that it's Monday I can check the local rv repair place. There's one about 10 miles from where we're camping.

Mike

[Mikec557]

https://www.camperid.com/carefree/re...75378606814099

Here is a link to Carefree , awning cord. I believe the awning is Dometic though but this might work.

Brian

Thanks for the Link Brian. After I get some more coffee in me this morning I'll take a look through that.

Mike