tarp & rope awning catches on screw heads in keder rail

Simmons · August 2020

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.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021717/uploads/editor/1m/0cxz61d8dnze.gif

Bayliss · August 2020

@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/

Sharon_is_SAM · August 2020

I agree with Bayliss. The rail was designed to accommodate a smooth rope that is sewn to the tarp/tent.

DaveoAgogo · August 2020

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 · August 2020

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.

Tampakayaker · August 2020

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.

Marceline · 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.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021717/uploads/editor/rc/fuiwieja4wmm.jpeg

Simmons · August 2020

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 · August 2020

@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.

Tampakayaker · August 2020

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

webers3 · August 2020

Agree with @Tampakayaker, i had the same issue, tightening the screws fixed it

Simmons · August 2020

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:

https://www.instructables.com/id/Telescoping-pvc-tent-or-awning-poles/

and

one by Dax Norman

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCLVgIcvZbI

Simmons · August 2020

I ordered by keder rope today from SailRite, it will be in stock on August 18th

Sharon_is_SAM · August 2020

Very clever! Thanks for the tutorial!

tarp & rope awning catches on screw heads in keder rail

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