screen door install 320

edwinh

Question - 

Our 2022 320 was delivered without a screen door (like many others this year).   

The part is in.  Rather than drag the trailer to the dealer and wait for a service appointment for them to do it, just wondering how hard it is to install myself if just simply pick up the part from them?

There is what looks like double sided sticky tape around the frame ready to go.  

Anyone done this (or taken theirs off and put back on?)

Thanks!

Here's a pic of what my frame looks like right now.

Sharon_is_SAM

@AnOldUR - this has your name on it!

AnOldUR

@edwinh, I just went through repairing and reinstalling the screen door on my 2020 320S so may be able to help. The door attaches to the frame with four slotted holes (see picture below). The screw go in far enough so that you can slip the heads through the opening and then drop the door down. You can't tighten the screws once the door is in place, so it should be a snug fit. There are also two screws that go through the bottom plate into the floor. This is the place where you can run into trouble. The string that controls the accordion action of the screen pass through the aluminum extrusion. After having a problem the first time, I learned to hook the string with a bent paper clip and pull it out of the way while tightening the screws so that you don't pinch the string.

I don't see the four screws on your door frame, so that may be something that you'll have to add. Hopefully someone with a new 320 will reply with a picture of what that looks like.

If you have any questions feel free to ask.

Here's a link to my fun with the door.
https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/14800/door-mod-and-screen-repair#latest

edwinh

Ok, I picked the part up today.  The design has changed... Looks easier now.  No slide down slots for screws.  See the frame backside pic below.

They gave me 4 screws and the corner covers to assemble.

Looks like now, you adhere with the double stick tape on the sides (already on my camper shown above).  Then 2 wood screws in the top corners. Then two screws into the floor piece as mentioned above.  The string is now safely tucked away in a channel, so can't pinch it.

ybakos

Disclosure: I know I could let the dealer deal with the installation, but here we are.... hopefully these details help others.

I am one of the 2022 320 CS-S owners who just received their screen door. I'd like to share more about this door, and how to install it properly. There are issues with the state of the wood framing on the camper, the screen door itself, the provided installation hardware, and instructions from NuCamp. I will try to share lots of photos here and as much information as possible. Perhaps folks can share ideas about how to install this "the right way."

First, the screen door.

Front


Back


Front top close-up


Front bottom close-up


Rear top close-up


Rear bottom close-up


Unlike @edwinh above, my door has a bunch of loose string. In addition, the string at the bottom is exposed. Is this right? Should the bottom string be channeled in the bottom metal rail somehow? Mine is not. It appears I can tuck the extra string into the cavity of the side rail. And adjust it a little, too.

Top guide string. (Too loose?)


Bottom guide string. Sits outside of the bottom rail. Wrong?


The screen door also has four pairs of pre-drilled holes for securely fastening the sides. But the side covers will need to be removed in order to use them. The instructions do not refer to these holes, nor are screws provided.

See the screw holes on the rear?


There are also holes in the top two corners, and two beveled holes in the bottom metal rail. The instructions do refer to these holes, and four screws are provided.



I am skeptical about whether this door will not stay very well mounted with smooth opening and closing with just the four provided screws.



Perhaps one screw in each upper corner, the two screws at the bottom, and the side adhesive tape are really enough? But then, there are problems with the frame and adhesive tape.

My door frame is a bit rough. Almost all of the screws are not straight nor flush, and the wood has some splintering in multiple locations. While this will be covered up, I am concerned about the "flatness" of the surface, especially where the adhesive tape is - there are many, many protrusions along this adhesive tape that I am certain will prevent the door from adhering well.





Do I really need to re-screw these straight and/or flush? Do I really need to cut away or sand the splintering? Will I need to remove the adhesive tape to re-seat the screws underneath, and then re-apply new adhesive tape? It seems so. 😭

There are no pre-drilled holes in the bottom metal bracket of the door frame. The provided bottom screws do not appear to be self-tapping to me. Do I really need to drill into the metal bracket? Is there anything under there (wiring, tubing, leprechauns) that I need to be aware of?



Lastly, the sparse instructions.






While the document is titled "Tab 400" it is the same door, and I assume (?) I have been given the right installation instructions.

Reality doesn't seem to fit the simple elegance of the instructions.

Sooo..... here is what I am thinking:

1. Prep the screen door. Ensure the string is in the right place and set properly. Remove the plastic side rail covers to expose the screw holes. (?)
2. Prep the door frame. Remove the adhesive tape. Ensure a fairly smooth, flat mounting surface by re-seating any offending screws. Hammer, scrape, remove and sand any splintering and wood buckling as needed.
3. Pick a thin adhesive-backed foam to line the vertical surfaces of the door frame.
4. Place the screen door in its final position, and mark the corner holes, side rail holes, and bottom bar holes. Set the door aside.
5. Pre-drill the holes.
6. Re-place the door and screw it in: fairly tight at the bottom, but loosely around the corners and sides. Try opening and closing the screen door. Tighten the screws to get a good seal while not causing the screen door frame to curve too much.

Am I being too extreme? I will start to experiment and I hope to learn from others about their ideal installation.

DingoDonuts

Has anyone figured out what right string tension and placement should be?  Or how to adjust it so its not hanging slack?  We had to go back to the the dealer to get our screen door installed on our new 2022 t@b s boondock.   The dealer left off the corner caps, and the string is loose at the top, right corner, and the bottom.  They also left out the bottom screws.  It was almost like someone got interrupted mid-job and didn’t finish.  The dealer is supposed to be sending us the corner caps and bottom screws.      

ScottG

Check out this discussion. There are string tensioners nestled in both the top and bottom rails that need to be adjusted so the door operates properly. In particular, this schematic may help you understand how the door works, and this comment offers tips on tensioning the strings.

(I can't really comment on the mounting questions as mine is a bit different.)

DeeMee

Will this fit a 2006 T@B teardrop?

evelynfreya

I have installed one myself, and it's pretty straightforward. Just ensure the surface is clean before attaching the frame with the tape. You can also use a full white blank screen on a device to check the alignment and ensure no gaps or misplacement while installing. Take your time to align it properly.