Replacing Vinyl Insert On Montana

[RKassl]

Need to replace the black vinyl insert on the screw rails that hold the slider toppers to the trailer this year. Once I have the new insert in is there any tricks on how to keep it from sliding from side to side. It almost looks like the original from the factory was folded under and inserted back behind the strip, is this possible. There were no screws used from the factory to keep in place. Any ideas?
Thanks.

[CarWin]

On all that I have replaced prior on TT’s, they did have screws in the ends of them to hold in place. Even had to remove the downspout at the ends to replace it on them also. If memory is correct it was the downspout screws that held it in place.

[jimcol]

Use a screw on each end if you want a permanent solution. Rolling the ends looks great to begin with but will eventually shrink up leaving a gap. Colored screws with a dab of silicone makes it almost unnoticed.

[MARK A]

Originally Posted by RKassl

Need to replace the black vinyl insert on the screw rails that hold the slider toppers to the trailer this year. Once I have the new insert in is there any tricks on how to keep it from sliding from side to side. It almost looks like the original from the factory was folded under and inserted back behind the strip, is this possible. There were no screws used from the factory to keep in place. Any ideas?
Thanks.

You can use a punch and ‘pinch’ the groove it's in after you get it in there, its really a mystery on mine, it always creeps to the back..Never the front.🤷*♂️

Mark

[rohrmann]

You can also use a dab of Dicor self leveling caulking on each end. There is always some place on the roof that needs a little extra.

[speedster100]

just use silicone on each end, easy to remove if required down the road. Use this method in awning tracks as well...

[psomers]

When I replace vinyl inserts I fold the ends under the metal retainer and use no screws. To do this the vinyl has to be warmed with a heat gun or hair dryer. Also a couple of screws in the strip have to be loosened. Once the screws are tighten the vinyl can be installed in the groove. The vinyl has to be stretched a bit. You will not be able to do this with cold vinyl.

[CaptnJohn]

When it gets cold the vinyl under the nose shrinks. Where it bends it pulls out of the track. Warms u and it can be put back.

[Md.FireFighter 3791RD]

Mine is in storage now its a 2016 3791rd and was looking at it last week just to check on it and noticed the vinly insert above the entry door has slide out about two inches towards the rear and noticed it was bent over and slid behind the metal track with some kind of white glue.

[psomers]

Originally Posted by CaptnJohn

When it gets cold the vinyl under the nose shrinks. Where it bends it pulls out of the track. Warms u and it can be put back.

Mine did that when it got unusually cold for us first of January. When i replaced the vinyl instead of stretching it I tried to compress it. I tried to get as long a piece as I could installed to hopefully prevent that from happening again. We'll see.

[jcurtis934]

I am blaming this posting for the fact that the vinyl inserts on the slide topper rails need to be replaced due to them cracking in several places. They looked fine from the ground! Geez, it seems like an endless to do list at times lately.