Keder rail questions

CharlieRN

I have a few questions about using our All-Pro awning on our 2021 320S-BD, specifically about the entry slots and the direction of travel.

There are four slots in the Keder rail on the camper, two on the upper, curved section and two on the straight, horizontal lower section. Though all of the slots seem to be the same, the awning seems to only be able to be slid into place in one direction, front to rear, feeding aft from the the front slot. The rail insert does not seem to be able to feed into the rear slot.

I have the same issue with the stay at the rear; it seems to only fit into the lower slot from rear to front. This would not be issue except that in in almost any breeze, the wind moves the stay aft, where it eventually exits the slot.

Is this operator error or is it the way the system was designed?

Verna

@CharlieRN, this may be a question for help@nucamprv.com as the 2021 T@B 320’s have a different type of Keder rail than the earlier years. The earlier years had a screwed on aluminum Keder rail while I haven’t figured out what the new Keder rail is made of. It doesn’t appear that you can spread the width the the new Keder rail.  I do know that my Keder rail accepts my Isabella awning from either front or back. (Front to back is how I normally feed my awning.)

Some owners have used a light spray of Lithium to help the tents and awnings glide easier in the Keder rail, and you may try that before emailing. 

CharlieRN

Verna said:

@CharlieRN, this may be a question for help@nucamprv.com as the 2021 T@B 320’s have a different type of Keder rail than the earlier years. The earlier years had a screwed on aluminum Keder rail while I haven’t figured out what the new Keder rail is made of. It doesn’t appear that you can spread the width the the new Keder rail.  I do know that my Keder rail accepts my Isabella awning from either front or back. (Front to back is how I normally feed my awning.)

Some owners have used a light spray of Lithium to help the tents and awnings glide easier in the Keder rail, and you may try that before emailing. 

Thanks @Verna. I can't really tell what the rail is made from either; the outer area appears to be plastic but the inner surface seems like aluminum. I'd be hesitant to try and spread it however.

I had a great deal of difficultly feeding the awning into the rail and lubed things up with the homemade wax l use for my bicycle chains (equal parts candle wax, parraffin oil and xylene). That made it much easier, but I still have the issue of being able to feed from either end.

Sharon_is_SAM

@CharlieRN - I can’t explain the nuances of the 2021 rail and AllPro awning, but, use a binder clip if you can to stop the wind induced travel of the Keder rope.

debbie987

I just purchased a 2018 T@B 320S. It came with a tent and awning (never used!) that should attach by sliding through the keder rail. The rail on both ends is almost snug with the trim, not allowing the keder cord to enter the opening of the keder rail. The PahaQue video on installation showed about 6” between the trim and the opening of the rail giving plenty of room to slide the awning into place. I’m thinking I need to remove some of the railing to give me the clearance needed. Any suggestions on the best method to remove 3-4” of the rail? Dremel? 

dragonsdofly

@debbie987, there should be a slot on the 2018 in both upper and lower keder rail to feed whatever awning/tent/visor into the rail. On your model, the upper rail slot should be 6/8 inches from the rear end of the rail. Do not cut the rail or remove any of it. It is easily PROPERLY bent using a tool. Someone has posted pictures of the tool to use and how to bend the slot. He did it to the driver's side of the trailer, which has keder rail, but came from the factory with no slot. 

I'll look to see if I can find some either the thread or the pics. -Denise

ScottG

This, perhaps? I think it is called a "sheet metal clamp."

Marceline

ScottG said:

This, perhaps? I think it is called a "sheet metal clamp."

I think that this is what you're looking for.
Aluminum can be kind of hard to bend without breaking. If the piece does snap off when you're trying to open it up, I would just be sure to clean it up with a file so that it doesn't snag fabric. 

debbie987

So this tool is used to just widen the flanges so I can get the tent started thru the rail...well the flange on one side of the rail since the other side is up against the trim?

Sharon_is_SAM

Here is a picture of the opened Keder rail from former TaB owner PopTaB.  Look for the openings on the rail near the rear.

debbie987

Thanks @Sharon_is_SAM. I can see the opening at the back of the camper now. However it’s definitely missing at the front end. 

Marceline

debbie987 said:

Thanks @Sharon_is_SAM. I can see the opening at the back of the camper now. However it’s definitely missing at the front end. 

You only need an opening at one end.

Sharon_is_SAM

We always thread the keder rail from the rear.  The lower rail for the tent skirting is easy to access under the fender.  

dragonsdofly

Thanks to all the contributors who assisted @debbie987. I knew I had seen this before, but didn't have the pics or thread at my ready.