defective window shades

[drjjj]

We just moved in to our new stick house and took the Monty in for some minor repairs - some covered under (now) expired factory warranty (I documented them with both the selling dealer and Keystone and was told no problem) and some (hopefully) to be repaired under the extended warranty I purchased from the dealer. When we went to close up the rig to take it in, two of the shades "self destructed". We had three shades come apart within six weeks of purchase last year, and after they were replaced we took the advice from this forum and installed screws in the ends to keep them from unravelling. When I told the service agent about them, and requested they be repaired under the extended warranty, he acted like they would not be covered. I can understand why any warranty would not cover wear and tear on the carpet, furniture, etc., but the shades? If they are not covered, I intend to look in to after market replacement, as I feel that if the life expectancy of the shades is less than a year, then Keystone installed substandard, defective shades in this rig. Anyone else had a similar experience? We rarely raise or lower the shades, so frequent use is not an issue.

[Gumby56]

I had the same issue with my Mountaineer's shades we had them replace 5 under warantee. Once the cap falls off, and the shade comes slides slightly out, I have not figured out how to get them back in without ripping them. I got to the point where the kids and wife will not touch them!

Where did you screw them in? I would love to do that if I open shade use to the whole family!! I would also love to know if you found adequate replacements. Other than the queen mattress, it is the only thing we do not love about the unit.

Good luck!

[drjjj]

I have not found replacements yet. Granted, (and to quote my selling dealer) "the Montana is not a Teton or King of the Road", but the shades are, to say the least "cheezy". About your bed question, we have a 3400RL and we put a regular king size Select Comfort mattress in the bedroom. I did add a layer of 3/8" plywood on top of the mattress frame in order to extend the bed, so when we travel the bed is "deflated" and sits on the edge of the dresser, but so far the loss of walking room in the bedroom is minor compared to how well we sleep.

[drjjj]

I forgot to address your question about the screws. I read on the forum last year that all you have to do is drill a small hole in the side of the end caps and install a short sheet metal screw in each end cap to prevent the end cap from coming off unless you unscrew it. So far so good except for these last two.

[Waynem]

Could you be more specific on the length of the "short sheet metal screw?"

Thanks.

[drjjj]

1/2" should do it. Just want to penetrate the side of the endcap.

[CmdrDewey]

My shades are just under six years old and my rig and the shades have been used a lot. I have had to tweak them on occasion but they are holding up fine. JMPOV

[bigmurf]

Ours shades are 4 years old now and some are used every day. Had to replace one string when unit was 6 months old.

[8.1al]

Some people have removed the end cap,placed a dab of glue on it and replaced. This works well.

[DHenry]

Our shades are also 4 years old now and they are holding up just fine. I did have the problem of the end caps falling off and had to put a screw in the caps. No problem after that. I used a 1/4" long screw.

[bncinwv]

Can someone post a picture or a reference to a picture showing this end-cap mod. Sounds like some preventive maintenance that I need to strongly consider. Thanks,
Bingo

[berridge]

I suspect that some of the premature day-night shade failures are due to excess tension in the strings. I have had to adjust some of mine at the lower end where rhey are attached to the wall. This also makes them easier to raise and lower and to keep level while doing so. I just had to replace the large one at the rear window of our 07 3075 as the strings suddenly let go. I had not got around to lessening the tension on them but now on the new one I have the strings just tight enough to hold them up. Keystone sent me the new one on warranty no problem. Note that new string for them is available on the internet, and a couple of people I know have figured out how to string them. I might try it next time as it is going to be an ongoing problem as the shades age.

[jackel1959]

We had problems with some of the caps on our shades as well. I just wrapped the portion that slides into the bottom with one layer of masking or painters tape (I found if you use more than one layer of tape you can't get the caps back in) and reinserted them. I think I might have even gotten the idea from this forum. I haven't had any other problems with the caps falling out since the fix.

[Okie Guy]

The one over my couch has been too lose since the day I picked it up from the dealer. The first time I lifted it up it fell right back down. I had to coax it to stay up.