Screen door 'string' broken - door is taped in open position - what are our options?

JP2558
JP2558 Member Posts: 244
edited June 11 in Service/Maintenance & Recall Notices

2018 320-CS, the string running at the bottom broke, the door is unusable and has duct tape holding it in place. What are our options? Can we repair it ourselves or is it better to contact a dealer and order a new one? And if so can we install it ourselves or should we have our local RV repair guy do it for us?


Thanks for the input!


Thanks, Jerry 
 
2019 Honda Pilot AWD and 2018 T@B 320-CS hanging out on the left edge of Lake Erie.

Comments

  • ScottG
    ScottG Administrator Posts: 5,674

    Yes, the screen door can be repaired--though some here would consider you crazy for attempting it! :-)

    It does require some thoughtful planning and careful attention to detail.. I've restrung mine twice, and a third time is pending. At present my bottom string is broken within the screen, but the effect on door operation is minimal so I've been procrastinating.

    Do a search for "screen door" and you'll find several relevant discussions. Look them over and if it's something you want to tackle please chime in with any questions.

    Removing and replacing the door unit is simple. Remove two screws in the upper corner and two more buried in the lower track. Then you can pull the entire frame up and away from the wall.. You will need to do this regardless of whether you repair or replace the door.

    2015 T@B Max S (320)
    2015 Nissan Frontier SV V6 4x4
  • JP2558
    JP2558 Member Posts: 244

    Thank you Scott. We are out in the wild at the moment. Our string at the bottom broke and the screen fell out of the frame. When we get home I will also see if there is anything on youtube before I even grab the screwdriver.


    Thanks, Jerry 
     
    2019 Honda Pilot AWD and 2018 T@B 320-CS hanging out on the left edge of Lake Erie.
  • ScottG
    ScottG Administrator Posts: 5,674

    Ah, yes—if the string at the very bottom (the one that runs in the track) broke, than the door is useless since that tensions the entire upper half of the screen.

    If it broke close the the adjustable anchor that runs in the track, you might be able to slide the anchor over and reattach the string.

    I'm not aware of anything on YouTube, but if you find something please report back!

    2015 T@B Max S (320)
    2015 Nissan Frontier SV V6 4x4
  • JP2558
    JP2558 Member Posts: 244

    This might be in the ballpark:


    https://youtu.be/qqaZSaH87gg

    Thanks, Jerry 
     
    2019 Honda Pilot AWD and 2018 T@B 320-CS hanging out on the left edge of Lake Erie.
  • ScottG
    ScottG Administrator Posts: 5,674
    edited June 12

    Good find! The construction of the door frame and the location of the tensioners is different in the video, but the restringing process is pretty much the same.

    And the peppy music almost makes the job seem fun! :-D

    2015 T@B Max S (320)
    2015 Nissan Frontier SV V6 4x4
  • JP2558
    JP2558 Member Posts: 244

    @ScottG What did you use for restringing? Specific part from Nucamp? I read 30-50 lb fishing line can be used. I also contacted a dealer to see if they can supply a repair kit.


    Thanks, Jerry 
     
    2019 Honda Pilot AWD and 2018 T@B 320-CS hanging out on the left edge of Lake Erie.
  • ScottG
    ScottG Administrator Posts: 5,674

    For my second repair, I ended up using 60lb monofilament. I was quite surprised when it broke a couple years later, but I will use it again when I eventually get to restringing.

    I think you will find this discussion most useful. It has good info and links from the pioneers I learned from (@MandoBiker and @vhollow) as well as several detailed comments about my repairs and associated challenges.

    Let us know if you score a repair kit. If not, it isn't really necessary as all the parts are readily available from other sources.

    2015 T@B Max S (320)
    2015 Nissan Frontier SV V6 4x4
  • JP2558
    JP2558 Member Posts: 244

    @ScottG - Thanks. I contacted a dealer amd am still waiting for a reply. I suspect any kit they can get will be more expensive than monofilament.


    Thanks, Jerry 
     
    2019 Honda Pilot AWD and 2018 T@B 320-CS hanging out on the left edge of Lake Erie.
  • Horigan
    Horigan Member Posts: 878

    I would consider using braid fishing line. I would think it would be more wear resistant. Not sure how it would work with the crimps in the system. Never had one apart, yet…

    Rich
    2019 T@b 400
    2025 Toyota Highlander 2.4L Turbo
    Bellingham WA
  • ScottG
    ScottG Administrator Posts: 5,674

    I'm not familiar with braided fishing line, but it looks like it could be a good option, particularly if you can get greater strength for the same (or smaller) diameter.

    IIRC the 60lb monofilament was about the largest that could be threaded with a needle through the grommets in the screen pack.

    2015 T@B Max S (320)
    2015 Nissan Frontier SV V6 4x4
  • gande
    gande Member Posts: 106
    edited June 19

    @JP2558 I’m not very good at navigating this site, but if you go to the thread below (you’ll have to search for it; it’s not a link), the seventh or eighth comment (from me) tells about a source I found for a new screen door for about HALF the landed price of a replacement door from NuCamp. It’s easy to install and is better quality than the original door used by NuCamp.


    Hope this is of some help to you.


    Gary

    2022 Tab 400 Screen Door repair question

    IMG_0753.png
    gande

    2018 T@b 400
    2019 Ram 1500 crew cab / 5.7 V8
  • JP2558
    JP2558 Member Posts: 244

    @gande Thanks Gary.


    Thanks, Jerry 
     
    2019 Honda Pilot AWD and 2018 T@B 320-CS hanging out on the left edge of Lake Erie.
  • Horigan
    Horigan Member Posts: 878
    edited June 19
    https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/comment/221959#Comment_221959

    Braid is much thinner than mono. 60 lb braid is half the diameter of 60 lb mono. Braid is typically 3+ times stronger than mono at a given diameter. I think braid would wear better also.

    Rich
    2019 T@b 400
    2025 Toyota Highlander 2.4L Turbo
    Bellingham WA
  • ScottG
    ScottG Administrator Posts: 5,674

    Braid sounds good. Even though I have a boatload of mono left from the last fix, for all the trouble I might try braid this time. I'm still really surprised that the 60lb mono broke, though! :-/

    2015 T@B Max S (320)
    2015 Nissan Frontier SV V6 4x4
  • Horigan
    Horigan Member Posts: 878

    It probably broke due to wear.

    Rich
    2019 T@b 400
    2025 Toyota Highlander 2.4L Turbo
    Bellingham WA
  • fmcnutt
    fmcnutt Member Posts: 5

    True Dat, but I don't wanna spend the time attempting to repair it. I'd rather find an inexpensive substitute. Any suggestions OTHER than the hanging, magnetic screen door? TIA

  • ScottG
    ScottG Administrator Posts: 5,674

    @fmcnutt, see the comment from @gande above.

    Here's a direct link to the info he references.

    I guess it depends on what you mean by "inexpensive"...

    2015 T@B Max S (320)
    2015 Nissan Frontier SV V6 4x4
  • scott14
    scott14 Member Posts: 192
    https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/comment/221975#Comment_221975

    I would second what Gary mentioned. We ordered and installed the screen from Plisse Screen. It has performed wonderfully. I think it is better quality than the original.

    Scott / 2019 T@B 400 "C@lypso" / 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe LTZ / Northern Illinois

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