tarp & rope awning catches on screw heads in keder rail

Simmons
Simmons Member Posts: 11
in Products and Accessories
We purchased 7 mm diameter marine rope and folded a blue tarp over the rope to make an awning for our T@B CS-S.  It is Very Difficult to pull the "tarp wrapped" rope through the keder rail  (we start at the rear and thread the tarp/rope into the keder rail from the bottom opening and then pull it up and over)  but it catches on every screw head in the keder rail.  It is even fraying the tarp when we pull it back out when we break camp.

Any suggestions?  .. are we using too big a rope?  Wouldn't a smaller rope just pull out of the keder rail?

**see our home-made extension poles, we copied this from a video on the T@B forum a couple years ago.  The poles are made from pvc plastic pipes, drilled with holes so you can adjust the height.  They are heavy duty and withstand wind and rain.




Comments

  • Bayliss
    Bayliss Member Posts: 1,517
    @Simmons, maybe some of the below info, which I previously copied from posts on this forum, will help you out.  My guess is that the problem you are having is due to the thickness added by wrapping the tarp around the nylon rope.

    8.5mm / 5/16”.  Use nylon rope when making your own cord for the rail.


    Welded flap material for making your own visor, etc.:

    https://www.amazon.com/Keder-8-5mm-Welded-Standard-Black/dp/B010G1AXZO/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=keder+rail+awning&qid=1560540184&s=gateway&sr=8-2

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B010G1AXZO/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1


    Keder Rail “tarp trackers” for attaching a tarp or similar material to the Keder rail:

                            https://Kedersolutions.com


    Keder Rail hangers (home made):

                            https://www.popupportal.com/threads/make-your-own-awning-track-hangers.63064/

    2019 T@B 320 S Boondock Lite; 2025 Toyota Tundra CrewMax 4x4
    (Alde: 3020; Refrig: Isotherm Cruise 65 Eleg; Battery: BB 100Ah LiFePO4; Solar: Renogy 220W Portable Suitcase w/ Victron SmartSolar MPPT 75/15 Controller; Victron BMV-712 Battery Monitor w/ Shunt; Pwr Cntr: PD-4135KW2B; EMS: PI-HW30C)
    Greg & Marlene (Tucson, AZ)


  • Sharon_is_SAM
    Sharon_is_SAM Member Posts: 10,035
    I agree with Bayliss.  The rail was designed to accommodate a smooth rope that is sewn to the tarp/tent.  
    Sharon / 2017 T@B CSS / 2015 Toyota Sienna Minivan / Westlake, Ohio
  • DaveoAgogo
    DaveoAgogo Member Posts: 4
    We have a new Walker Sunflex inflatable awning for our T@B 400 2021. Have only set up once so far and first experience with keder rails.  Noted same issue with getting hung up on numerous screw heads.  Heads are not near flush and I found that 1/3-1/2 of them were not fully screwed in so I did this.  Helped tremendously.  Did find that a few screws did not “catch” and may be stripped!  Will see if problem in future.  The Walker is a great design and quick to raise and lower- have not tried in wind as yet.
  • ChanW
    ChanW Member Posts: 3,165
    I don't remember now, but are the kedar rail screws round-head or flat-head?

    You might be able to counter-sink flat-head screws to make the rail more usable. It might be a bit of a chore, but maybe worth it, for home-made attachments.

    Depending on your skill set, it might be easier to sew on kedar rail edging material.
    Chan  -  near Buffalo NY
    2014 S Maxx
    2011 Tacoma 4cyl ... edit: 2022 Tacoma 6cyl - oh yeah! 

     A_Little_T@b'll_Do_Ya
  • Tampakayaker
    Tampakayaker Member Posts: 558
    tighten the screws and use a silicone spray in the rail near the screw heads.  Just a very small amount.  Also while threading the tarp thru, pull out on it away from the back of the rail.
    2006 RAM 1500 4 door, 2016 T@B 320 MAX S 
    Tampa FL
  • Marceline
    Marceline Member Posts: 1,758
    edited August 2020
    Tampakayaker said:
    tighten the screws and use a silicone spray in the rail near the screw heads.  Just a very small amount.  Also while threading the tarp thru, pull out on it away from the back of the rail.
    I spray the rope of my awnings & the rail with Mclube Sailkote. https://www.mclubemarine.com/sailkote/
    I think that the problem here is that a plastic tarp wrapped around rope and then sewn down probably isn't very smooth. I think that it would be better to buy premade awning tape (https://www.sailrite.com/Keder-Awning-Rope-Tape) and sew the flap onto the tarp.

    I sewed the Sailrite awning rope onto this inexpensive Walmart awning to attach it over my clamshell.


    San Francisco Bay Area
    2013 CS-S us@gi
    2015 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner Double Cab
  • Simmons
    Simmons Member Posts: 11
    Thank-you Bayliss, Sharon, Dave, ChanW, Tampakayaker, and Marceline,

    I will order the smooth rope and sew the tarp to the flap.  We also do see  some of the screws might be raised a bit.  We will check each one to see if they can be tightened.  And then try the silicone or marine lube.
    I also like the idea of replacing with flush screws.

    Bayliss - Thank-you for the great URL links.
    We will test these ideas in the yard before our next camping trip.

    Tampakayaker-  I do find that the tarp needs to be held with 2 hands, slightly pulling back on the left to keep it taught as we thread the tarp rope into the keder rail..   so, with more practice, and a smooth rope, hopefully all will go better next trip.
  • Sharon_is_SAM
    Sharon_is_SAM Member Posts: 10,035
    @Simmons - DH and I work as a team.  One pulls the tent over the top and the other person guides and retracts the rope away from the screws.  
    Sharon / 2017 T@B CSS / 2015 Toyota Sienna Minivan / Westlake, Ohio
  • Tampakayaker
    Tampakayaker Member Posts: 558
    Simmons said:
    Thank-you Bayliss, Sharon, Dave, ChanW, Tampakayaker, and Marceline,

    I will order the smooth rope and sew the tarp to the flap.  We also do see  some of the screws might be raised a bit.  We will check each one to see if they can be tightened.  And then try the silicone or marine lube.
    I also like the idea of replacing with flush screws.

    Bayliss - Thank-you for the great URL links.
    We will test these ideas in the yard before our next camping trip.

    Tampakayaker-  I do find that the tarp needs to be held with 2 hands, slightly pulling back on the left to keep it taught as we thread the tarp rope into the keder rail..   so, with more practice, and a smooth rope, hopefully all will go better next trip.
    You can get the keder rope off of Amazon
    2006 RAM 1500 4 door, 2016 T@B 320 MAX S 
    Tampa FL
  • webers3
    webers3 Member Posts: 436
    Agree with @Tampakayaker, i had the same issue, tightening the screws fixed it
    2017 T@B 320S   2019 Jeep Cherokee - Southern Connecticut
  • Simmons
    Simmons Member Posts: 11
    I'm sharing the links for our adjustable PVC tent/ tarp poles made from 2 sizes of PVC pipes so they are telescoping, we can easily get 6 to 8 ft of extended strong poles for tent rain covers or awnings.

    Here are the 2 video tutorials we used:
    and
    one by Dax Norman


  • Simmons
    Simmons Member Posts: 11
    I ordered by keder rope today from SailRite, it will be in stock on August 18th
  • Sharon_is_SAM
    Sharon_is_SAM Member Posts: 10,035
    Very clever!  Thanks for the tutorial!
    Sharon / 2017 T@B CSS / 2015 Toyota Sienna Minivan / Westlake, Ohio

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