Hi Peggy D, I agree. There is no end to stuff we could buy. Lots of people think "green", "recycle". Um, a lot of that is just throwing something away in a green barrel instead of a grey one. I don't recycle in the conventional sense.. I reuse, repurpose, repair. When I do recycle, paper and cardboard go to the home depot, they bail it with theirs and get paid. Plastic, styrofoam, etc. same thing. It has to be separated to be meaningful otherwise it ends up in landfill. Green barrels are emotional, "feel good" responses for the most part. They don't change behavior. They just make us feel better about the waste. For me, the Roadtrek is a laboratory where I can identify lots of things that change the way I think in general. I can take what I learn in the "lab", transfer and apply it to things at large. A few pennies saved here, a few dollars there and incrementally what it amounts to for me is a lot more time. Time I'm not deovting to acquiring those pennies or dollars that I can use in much more meaningful, fulfilling ways that benefit me and others around me. I have this image of stuff. The stuff has this invisible adhesive that comes with it. Once I have the stuff, it "sticks" around, needs to be managed, it's hard to get "unstuck" from it. I keep that image in mind when I'm tempted to acquire more of it.
You're actually a wizard, currently dressed as a gnome. Of COURSE, I have the same torn curtain tab ... mine's on the front driver's curtain. As I was watching, I realized I have a roll of some very similar vinyl as the strip on the curtain. I wonder if I can find a way to adhere vinyl to vinyl. Otherwise I like you're idea. I might try it with Lexall instead of Super Glue, this Florida heat in that van just disintegrates everything. I was in my van today and as always, appreciating the craftsmanship of Roadtrek. Hard to believe the interior components are 25 yrs old. Just amazing.
Hi Sandy Sez, Here's a little tip on the curtain fix. I used blister pack plastic. You know that stuff that is impenetrable when you buy something packakged in it? Now here is the "secret part". The little white nylon "U" shaped thing that slides on the rail is held on to the vinyl with a metal rivet. So you can cut the blister pack plastic long enough to fit behind the vinyl that's torn and glue the metal rivet to the blister pack plastic you cut to fit. If you need to, you could put a stitch or two through everything, on either side, with an awl to poke through the layers, and needle and thread to stitch. Guarantee nothing will break that bond. But if you still are not down with cyanoacrelate (super glue), you could use a strong two part epoxy. If you need a vid of what i'm talking about, let me know.
@@RoadtrekRich Thanks, yes I have plenty of the plastic (I save everything!), also some of the plexiglass I have is pretty thin and might work as well. 2-part epoxy sounds like a great choice for my climate and for use on the hard plastic, thanks! I have some of that on hand also. I'll try to get a few pics of the whole ordeal when I work on it soon. :)
Always enjoy seeing people give things a new lease on life. Especially enjoy creative solutions. Thinking outside of the box. Taping would have been my thought, as well. Yet, that would not have been a lasting solution. Nor sewing, which could have been seen on the front, as well. Thank you for sharing. Merry Christmas!
Lol! They purple curtains are fore ever breaking. I removed my front ones. Still have them on the sides. Great tip. I’ll remember this the next time one breaks. Do you live in your RT full time and travel? Happy travels
Lol! Those purple curtains on constantly breaking. I will have to remember this the next time one breaks. Do you RT fulltime and travel? Happy travels 🚐
The Roadtrek is the only 4 wheeled vehicle I have. I use it primarily as my work space, home away from home, mobile extension of my house and yes, I travel and sight see with it, too.
Nice job but does it fold up when you want to open the curtains fully? I assume given the age of the vehicle, this will probably keep happening due to the plastic drying out and cracking. I've seen on Roadtrek forums, people sewing they're own custom curtains and some look really good. Take care!
Hi Not A Nomad, Yes it tracks around the rail just like the other clips. The vinyl is still very supple and flexible. I think someone at some point did something unusual to cause the damage. Maybe when reclingin the seat or turning it they didn't realize the curtain got caught.
Thanks for doing this, I've just realized that your way of speaking reminds me of Mr Robert's of PBS fame. Haha that's a compliment by the way. Have a beautiful day in the neighborhood!
Sure like it when you see repairs done that work rather than just throwing it away and having to buy more stuff. I enjoyed this.
Hi Peggy D,
I agree. There is no end to stuff we could buy. Lots of people think "green", "recycle". Um, a lot of that is just throwing something away in a green barrel instead of a grey one. I don't recycle in the conventional sense.. I reuse, repurpose, repair. When I do recycle, paper and cardboard go to the home depot, they bail it with theirs and get paid. Plastic, styrofoam, etc. same thing. It has to be separated to be meaningful otherwise it ends up in landfill. Green barrels are emotional, "feel good" responses for the most part. They don't change behavior. They just make us feel better about the waste.
For me, the Roadtrek is a laboratory where I can identify lots of things that change the way I think in general. I can take what I learn in the "lab", transfer and apply it to things at large. A few pennies saved here, a few dollars there and incrementally what it amounts to for me is a lot more time. Time I'm not deovting to acquiring those pennies or dollars that I can use in much more meaningful, fulfilling ways that benefit me and others around me.
I have this image of stuff. The stuff has this invisible adhesive that comes with it. Once I have the stuff, it "sticks" around, needs to be managed, it's hard to get "unstuck" from it. I keep that image in mind when I'm tempted to acquire more of it.
Timely. My curtain just broke. Thanks!
Glad I could help!
I really love to see your thinking process explained. Since I am the new owner of a 1992 Roadtrek, this will all come handy. Thank you.
Glad it was helpful!
You're actually a wizard, currently dressed as a gnome. Of COURSE, I have the same torn curtain tab ... mine's on the front driver's curtain. As I was watching, I realized I have a roll of some very similar vinyl as the strip on the curtain. I wonder if I can find a way to adhere vinyl to vinyl. Otherwise I like you're idea. I might try it with Lexall instead of Super Glue, this Florida heat in that van just disintegrates everything. I was in my van today and as always, appreciating the craftsmanship of Roadtrek. Hard to believe the interior components are 25 yrs old. Just amazing.
Hi Sandy Sez,
Here's a little tip on the curtain fix. I used blister pack plastic. You know that stuff that is impenetrable when you buy something packakged in it?
Now here is the "secret part". The little white nylon "U" shaped thing that slides on the rail is held on to the vinyl with a metal rivet. So you can cut the blister pack plastic long enough to fit behind the vinyl that's torn and glue the metal rivet to the blister pack plastic you cut to fit. If you need to, you could put a stitch or two through everything, on either side, with an awl to poke through the layers, and needle and thread to stitch. Guarantee nothing will break that bond. But if you still are not down with cyanoacrelate (super glue), you could use a strong two part epoxy. If you need a vid of what i'm talking about, let me know.
@@RoadtrekRich Thanks, yes I have plenty of the plastic (I save everything!), also some of the plexiglass I have is pretty thin and might work as well. 2-part epoxy sounds like a great choice for my climate and for use on the hard plastic, thanks! I have some of that on hand also. I'll try to get a few pics of the whole ordeal when I work on it soon. :)
Great/cheap fix, thanks. I view all of you offerings & have concluded we must have had similar life experiences.
Always enjoy seeing people give things a new lease on life. Especially enjoy creative solutions. Thinking outside of the box. Taping would have been my thought, as well. Yet, that would not have been a lasting solution. Nor sewing, which could have been seen on the front, as well. Thank you for sharing. Merry Christmas!
Lol! They purple curtains are fore ever breaking. I removed my front ones. Still have them on the sides. Great tip. I’ll remember this the next time one breaks. Do you live in your RT full time and travel? Happy travels
Lol! Those purple curtains on constantly breaking. I will have to remember this the next time one breaks. Do you RT fulltime and travel?
Happy travels 🚐
The Roadtrek is the only 4 wheeled vehicle I have. I use it primarily as my work space, home away from home, mobile extension of my house and yes, I travel and sight see with it, too.
Nice job but does it fold up when you want to open the curtains fully? I assume given the age of the vehicle, this will probably keep happening due to the plastic drying out and cracking. I've seen on Roadtrek forums, people sewing they're own custom curtains and some look really good. Take care!
Hi Not A Nomad,
Yes it tracks around the rail just like the other clips. The vinyl is still very supple and flexible. I think someone at some point did something unusual to cause the damage. Maybe when reclingin the seat or turning it they didn't realize the curtain got caught.
nice job......... zero dollars
smoothoperator,
thanks. yes, just the amount I want to spend.
Thanks for doing this, I've just realized that your way of speaking reminds me of Mr Robert's of PBS fame. Haha that's a compliment by the way. Have a beautiful day in the neighborhood!