How do i fix these? - repair advice

[DaisyBell]

Hi,
We have a 95 Starcraft Flyer which is still in pretty good shape, but is showing  wear in several places.  I'd like to try and fix things myself (I'm the female half that likes to do these things) but not sure whether the following can be fixed.  If so, I would appreciate suggestions about how to go about it or where to order things:

1) window screening by beds has separated at the bottom by the stitching so bugs can get in

2)  have lots of spots of mold/mildew on the canvas mainly on zippered canvas that covers windows by the bed

3) also have some tiny holes in the window canvas which I made trying to clean the mold.

3)  cracked plastic roof vent that has been duct taped (is it worth trying to install a new one or stick with duct tape (it doesn't leak)

4)  Awning bag holder keeps slipping out of track.  

5)  Several awning poles can no longer stay in place when adjusted to proper length.  Spring component won't hold.  Can you order new ones from Starcraft?

6)  the plastic piece at the end of the bunk brace is bent and slips off the bed bow when I try to pull the bunk ends down.

7)  What is the best product to clean the exterior of the camper to get the black mildew out of the crevices in the roof.

That's it for now.

Thank you.

[LACamper]

The answers to #1, #3 (a&b), #4, & #5 is duct tape. Duct tape is a sign of a loved camper...
 
#2 and #7 - I'd try a drop of tilex in an out of the way spot...

[He Ruide]

Daisybell,

It is going to take several of us to come up with answers to your questions so bear with us. Also pictures of the issues may help us figure out what to recommend.

I'll take a crack at a couple.

3. Tiny holes in the canvas.  I'm assuming these are pin size holes.  If so there is a product called "Coghlan's Airstop Vinyl repair" that may do the trick. You should be able to get this from an RV dealer.  They should have patches for larger holes.

4. Awning keeps slipping out of the track.  I assume it is sliding out.  If so you need to get two small self taping screw and insert them about 1 to 1 1/2 inches from the end of the awning rail. The screw needs to go through the rail and into the rubber tube that sits inside the rail as shown in this picture.

5. Awning poles.  I'm assuming the spring is no longer working and thus you have no way to keep the poles at the desired length.  I would get several small "Double wire safety snap pins" from your local hardware store and insert them into the holes.

Hope this helps.

Ruide

[wavery]

From what you describe, it sounds like you may want to look into new canvas. Although, as previously posted, pictures would be helpful. We may just be getting the wrong impression just because of the volume of your requests.

Here are some sites that specialize in canvas replacements.

http://www.bearcreekcanvas.com/
http://www.canvasreplacements.com/
http://www.idahocanvas.com/id135.htm



A 10% bleach solution will kill mold. Too heavy a solution may damage the fabric.

If you have a lot of mold (and it sounds like you do), it may be a good idea to remove the separate canvas panels. Spray them down (one at a time) with the beach solution, in the shade. Allow the solution to sit for about 20 minutes (repeating application so it doesn't dry), scrub it with a soft brush, wash it with a solution of Woolite, then rinse it off well with a hose.

If you do one panel at a time, it won't be such an overwhelming job. When you break it down, your PU is made up with 4 separate panels (1 front, 1 back and 2 bunk ends). All of the panels are zipped together. Once you unzip them from each other, they simply slip out of the "C" channels (after removing the retainer screw at each end). If you crank the roof half-way down, after unzipping the panels, it will make it easier to remove the panels.

Clean the rest of the interior with the same bleach solution while the canvas is off. That will rid it of all of the mold spores and allow it to dry quickly.

While you have the panels off, you can either sew them yourself or take them to a canvas maker to be sewn. New screen panels can easily be sewn on if the rest of the fabric is still good.

[DaisyBell]

Thank you all who responded so quickly.  I didn't have pictures since it isn't set up right now but I will try to do that next weekend.  Thanks Waverly for the explanation about the canvas.  I didn't know they could be taken apart. I'll check that out next week.  Only problem is that our camper is kept outside so I have to be careful if the weather changes that I don't the inside wet. We've been having some weird weather here in NJ  -- unseasonally cool,cloudy and rainy for this time of year.  I assume I can close the camper without the canvas and it will be water tight?

I'll be back in touch.

Thanks Again.  - Carol (alias DaisyBell)

[austinado16]

GO TEAM STARCRAFT!

Hi Carol and welcome!

The Starcrafts suffer from leaking roofs, especially if they're always kept outside and the caulking in all the roof seams is allowed to go bad.  The other canvas killer is a closing the camper up with the canvas wet.

So not only do you need to address your canvas "damage" but you need to address what's causing it in order to prevent further/future damage, as well as damaged to the walls and floor.

As Wavery said, the canvas sections are removable.  Most of these campers are built with "clutch head" screws, so you'll need to buy a clutch head style screw driver (RV places have them and so do hardware stores).  You remove the upper rails and then the top of the canvas can slip up and out of the track it sits in.  Then you remove a few clutch head screws that go into the lower corners and slide the canvas out.  BE CAREFUL!!  Never force the canvas, you'll snag and tear it.

Automotive upholstery shops can buy the canvas and take yours apart, and sew in patch panels and have it look pretty original.  Fix the torn out screens and other damage at the same time.  Don't "scrub the cr@p" out of your canvas.  Better to have some stains than to do $1,000 worth of canvas damage trying to have clean canvas.  Bear Creek Canvas may be willing to sell you some yardage in your color?  Then you could have it repair locally.

Your camper probably has 5 sections of canvas.  1 at each bunk, 1 down the long side of the camper and 2 on the door side.  All remove the same way.

Of course you want to spend $14 and replace that roof vent.  C'mon! You want it to look nice right?

StarcraftRV will sell you parts, and they'll have the plastic ends to those "shepards poles" that support the bunk end bows.  Give 'em a call.

For your exterior cleaning, I would use a "Cleaner Wax" like Meguiar's #6 and then follow that up with their #26 wax to seal the finish.  Any mold in the seams may not be mold.....it's probably just "Putty Tape" that the camper was assembled with, and that gets black with exposure to dirt/sun/weather/time.  Normal.  Avoid washing the camper because forcing water onto the body from a garden hose is a recipe for leaks and damage and rot.  Just go over it with the cleaner wax every so often and then reseal with wax.  Another really nice "waterless" washing product is "Prolong Waterless Wash N Shine"  (//www.prolong.com)  Outstanding.....spray on from a spray bottle and buff off with an old bath towel.

Good luck!

[4Campers]

Hello and Welcome-
So many questions! Many good ones too. I knew Waverly would have a good answer for you.

1) window screening by beds has separated at the bottom by the stitching so bugs can get in
easy repair is use a needle and nylon or poly thread, even fine fishing line, to sew the areas back together.

2) have lots of spots of mold/mildew on the canvas mainly on zippered canvas that covers windows by the bed
check any RV store for a mold/mildew cleaner. after cleaning, remember to waterproof the canvas again.

3) also have some tiny holes in the window canvas which I made trying to clean the mold.
small spots can be mended with needle and thread. big spots need a canvas repair kit, similar to what's used to patch jeans.

3) cracked plastic roof vent that has been duct taped (is it worth trying to install a new one or stick with duct tape (it doesn't leak)
new roof vent may cost $25-40. the trick is installing it so it won't leak.

4) Awning bag holder keeps slipping out of track.
self tapping screws in each end of the awning rail.

5) Several awning poles can no longer stay in place when adjusted to proper length. Spring component won't hold. Can you order new ones from Starcraft?
try adding a few small washers, a small nut, or even a small piece of dowel rod down the tube on the spring side, sized so it can easily slip down the tube, but not small enough to fall through the spring, to put more tension on the spring.

6) the plastic piece at the end of the bunk brace is bent and slips off the bed bow when I try to pull the bunk ends down.
plastic that has to support weight in the elements always fails after a few years. replacements may be available, or search a hardware store for something close that would work, or have a shop custom create a set for you out of metal.

7) What is the best product to clean the exterior of the camper to get the black mildew out of the crevices in the roof.
Black Streak Remover works well to clean the outside. there are several good RV cleaners out there, but if you have tar and discolored silicone then a black streak remover is what I have found works best.

Good Luck!

[boncrab]

About 3 years ago my DH took the DKids camping in February, and it rained pretty much the entire weekend.  When he got home I told him he needed to setup the trailer until it stopped raining and was dry.  BUT....... he didn't listen and I forgot as time went on and come the next camping trip in July without the DH (he had to work) opened up the trailer and guess what we found and slept in for the weekend.  Right, a lot of mildew, YUCH!!!  I did what I could for the 3 nights to get rid of as much as possible, water wipe down, febreze (not directly on the canvas), etc.

When we got home we took out all the cushions, or should I say he, and bought some IOSSO mold and mildew canvas cleaner. It took him several hours but he took a scrub brush to the inside and outside of every inch of our canvas and we haven't had a spot of mildew or mold since.  And the canvas had or has never been cleaner. Because of the extensive amount of mildew we did apply a waterproofer to the canvas. No problems.

Just a week or so ago he used this product again. I could see how clean the trailer was coming down the street. It is a wonderful product.

[austinado16]

Where'd you guys buy the IOSSO cleaner at?

[boncrab]

We found ours at our local marine supply store.  You can also find it online. Do a search for IOSSO

http://www.iosso.com/MivaStore/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=A&Product_Code=0003&Category_Code=Marine-RV-Awning

[austinado16]

Thanks!

[DaisyBell]

Thanks Austinado, Boncrab and 4Campers.  Alot of great suggestions.  Interesting how everyone has their own special favorites for tackling the same problems.  the next couple weekends I won't be able to work on the camper but after that I will.  I'll let you know how it goes.

Take Care.

Carol