Window shade question?

Born2RV · 12-31-2011, 05:31 AM

Our beloved 2003 Providence is in storage right now, but in a few short months we'll be uncovering it and needing to repair a window shade in the bedroom.

Our son-in-law accidently bumped the plastic knob that holds the draw cord below the window and broke it. I called Fleetwood and they want a FORTUNE to send us a replacement knob - plus, I'm not sure I would know how to fix it? We have a large RV sales/service near us, but I hesitate to pay them the "big bucks" to fix it either. Is this something that we could have repaired while at the National Rally in June? Or is there somewhere that offers easy "fix it" solutions?

Just Because · 12-31-2011, 06:02 AM

It's not rocket science. Take you digital camera and take a picture before you start. Look at it carefully and you will see how it goes together, make notes, then jump in.

You can find the replacement parts on line or most RV centers and CW will have the needed parts.

336muffin · 12-31-2011, 06:20 AM

There is a kit for about $8.00 and i think the piece is in it.

Linch23 · 12-31-2011, 06:59 AM

While in Florida last Winter we had a knob break too. Our 2003 Pace Arrow has been nothing but a lemon anyway. Seems I have repaired, replaced the entire coach, everything from a headlight assembly falling out while on the highway to crown molding falling down. Anyway, we replaced our bedroom window (brokenknob) with verticles. We love 'em, love 'em, love 'em, so much easier to operate. The cost is a little more than a knob of course, but we are happy.

codgerbill · 12-31-2011, 07:32 AM

When the knob thingy that holds the strings on the day/night shades on my previous coach broke, I went to my RV dealer (General RV in Michigan) and they had them on the shelf. There are a couple different styles too. I also think I have seen them at camping world. I would guess that almost any RV dealer has them too. I bought the kind that had a couple small nipples on the bottom. The advantage of the nipples is that once you properly tension the strings the nipples "bite" into the surface and wont inadvertantly rotate as you tighten them down.

Born2RV · 12-31-2011, 11:03 AM

Thank you so much! We're near a General RV here in Michigan, so I'll go next weekend and purchase a couple.

Thank you for your help and advice.

sdennislee · 12-31-2011, 10:58 PM

If you need to restring here are 2 documents with pictures and diagrams detailing the process. I have a 3rd document that is very detailed but is 7.6mb which exceeds the the size permitted for posts. I will post it to my Public Dropbox folder and post the link here for you.

You may get away with just replacing the plastic knob and rewrapping the string on the knob.

Mr_D · 12-31-2011, 11:13 PM

Bobbin for a sewing machine works too. Wal*Mart probably has them.

Rvgirl2669 · 12-31-2011, 11:25 PM

The piece is only about 2.00 , u can buy them separate or in a pack of 2. You take the string after u reinstall and start winding string around it till the tension keeps the shade up if you go to a dealer they will charge minimum of a half hour labor plus the part.