Coleman repairs

[Elly]

We are a family of 6 and have a 1987 Coleman Shanandoa. We need new bungie cords for around the bottom of the pull outs. Any ideas where to purchase lengths of this? Also on our one pull out arm we are having some issues with a plate that is popping it's rivets. Anyone else have this and have any good repair ideas? :p  We are also going to attempt to patch our canvas in a couple spots. Any advice. My hubby wants to purchase a newer Coleman Bayside but I'm trying to patch this one up and keep him happy.
Thanks
Elly

[tlhdoc]

You can buy the bungi from a Fleetwood folding trailer dealer or at a store like Home Depot.  When I replaced mine I duct taped the end of the new bungi to the end of the old bungi, I didn't over lap them, just end to end and pulled the new cord through.

 
Welcome to PUTs.

[Elly]

You can buy the bungi from a Fleetwood folding trailer dealer or at a store like Home Depot.  When I replaced mine I duct taped the end of the new bungi to the end of the old bungi, I didn't over lap them, just end to end and pulled the new cord through.

 
Welcome to PUTs.

Thanks for the info and the welcome! We went to every store imaginable including two different Home Depots so for now we have it rigged with clothes line and bungies.

[pfaust]

Have you looked in the yellow pages for a canvas repair place? They will have the bungie cord.

[Ron]

If you have a Tractor Supply store they sell it by the foot

[rocknroll]

Some sporting goods and miitary supply store carry bungy buy the foot in many
sizes.

hope this helps
rocky :usflag:

[jps]

Hi Elly,

I found a lady in my area who makes boat covers.  I have an 86 Coleman Sequoia.  She reinforced all my zippers and patched the holes.  She was very reasonable and very good.  Hope that helps.

I've replaced cables, and bungi's (got them from my Fleetwood dealer) added bunk curtains, fixed the door guides wires, and I'm getting ready to replace the front and rear plastic body panels.

I thought about buying a new or newer trailer but I hate to get rid of this one because it has been such a good trailer.  Also my boys and I have created some really good memories in it that they still talk about now that they are grown!  Even with the new body panels I will only have spent maybe $1000.00 on it in all those years!  And that includes packing the bearings every year!

Good luck,

Sue
Grass Valley, Ca

[Elly]

Thanks for all the replies! Hubby and I have compromised and are going for a new canvas. Like Sue said in her post this camper has been good to us and I can't stand the thought of getting rid of it. Now, I guess I should ask if anyone has any words of wisdom on working at getting the new canvas on once it comes.



We put new hinges and a new spring on the door last weekend and all we have after the canvas is getting a new door handle.

[jps]

Hi Elly,

When I put my repaired canvas back in I didn't have any problems.  Once I got it out, putting it back in was pretty straight forward, and I did it by myself.  I did forget to hook up the electrical connections and thought I had major electrical problems when my lights didn't work.  Spent about a half a day of a trip trying to figure that one out.  Felt pretty dumb when I finally found it.

Sue

[heelfever]

I have an 88 Shenandoah, and my bungee cords rotted as well.  What I did to fix this situation is to use standard, shorter length bungee cords with the hooks and hook them to each eyelet and around the hooks on the bottom.  This makes for a tighter fit than original!!  I sewed the canvas in torn places with fishing line and this is watertight and works great!!!

[bchbum68]

Not sure if these things are waterproof.  Is yours?  Also, I have zippers pulling away from the plastic.  Can those be repaired?  I also have hole in one side and some of the parts that look thin.  Can you just have someone reinforce these areas or do you have to replace the canvas all together?

[Elly]

We just got back from a 5 day trip. We have another trip coming up August 8th. Keeping our fingers crossed that our old canvs holds up for one more trip. I don't think Bear Creek will be able to come through with the new canvas in 2&1/2 weeks The big window on the back side is about to fall apart!

[Elly]

Not sure if these things are waterproof.  Is yours?  Also, I have zippers pulling away from the plastic.  Can those be repaired?  I also have hole in one side and some of the parts that look thin.  Can you just have someone reinforce these areas or do you have to replace the canvas all together?

It should be waterproof! Not sure about the zipper repair. It looks like we will be trying to sew ours up before our next trip. We tried using a heavy canvas material from a fabric store to repair at worn spots but it didn't help much. I recently heard that sail boat materiel is the thing to use for repairs. The other suggestion made to us by someone on the board here was looking in the phone book under canvas repair. My hubby was feeling like buying something new so I talked him into canvas instead of a complete new camper. Saved us about $5,000.

[tleary]

Bungi cord is also used in the Marine Industry,  If you have a West Marine or Boat/US in your area,  they carry several sizes of the Bungi cord. The also have the end fittings that can be installed on the ends.  West Marine also has a great web site,   they list it as Shock Cord,   in the Sailboat drop down section,  This is a link to that page   http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/category/10001/-1/10001/428/11208/2  

Bungi/shock cord is measured in diameter  5/16 or 1/4"  would work just fine...  

Good Luck