Is your RV roller blinds’ chain frayed, jammed, tightened, loosened, or broken – and you don’t know what to do? Don’t worry – we’re here with easy, immediate and effective repair solutions, from simple lubrication of the drive system to a 4-step replacement procedure!
When not working, your roller blinds chain needs immediate repair due to two reasons: (1) it will negatively impact the blinds’ capability to provide privacy, light control, and insulation in the rv travel trailer and (2) pose a serious strangulation hazard to your little ones, if you are travelling with your family.
Luckily, most RV roller blinds come with the same simple chain drive mechanism, which is relatively easy to fix if you know just what you have to do. If your camper truck blinds are too damaged to be repaired, even replacing them can be simple and more affordable than you can think.
Scroll on to learn about when and why you need to urgently fix your RV roller blinds chain with quick DIY fixes, FAQs, etc.
10 Urgent Reasons You Need to Repair Your Roller Blind Chain … with Quick DIY Solution!
1. The Chain is Detached – Simply Reattach It
Unsure how to put a chain back on a roller blind if it comes out? Follow these instruction and your issue will be resolved.
- First, uninstall the blinds at the pin end and disassemble the control mechanism.
- Remove a screw to access the cogwheel or gearwheel.
- Hook the chain back onto the cogwheel, making sure it fits snugly.
- Reassemble the mechanism, insert it into the roller tube, and reinstall the tube. New chain is ready to work!
2. Chain is Too Tight – Loosen It by Easing Spring Tension
- Tip 1: Ease pressure on the roller blind tension spring.
- Tip 2: Check for misaligned brackets and do levelling, if needed.
- Tip 3: Check for and remove obstructions.
3. Chain is Too Loose – Consider Tightening Spring Tension
- Pull the blind down out of the brackets.
- Roll the shade up back again using your hands and pull it back to the window. Tension in the spring and the chain will get restored.
- Test the spring & chain tension. If it’s still too loose, repeat the process twice or thrice.
- If the issue still persists, contact your trusted roller blinds manufacturer for the replacement of the roller spring and chain mechanism.
4. Chain is Frayed – Repair or Replace, That’s It!
The simplest solution to fix a frayed chain is: cut the damaged part by using a pair of scissors and reconnect them using a joiner.
If this solution doesn’t work, go for the replacement.
5. Chain is Jamming – Lubricate Or Re-Seat the Chain on the Cogwheel
Solution 1: Lubricate the moving parts, using silicone-based lubricant.
Solution 2: Pull out the chain drive apparatus, re-seat the chain on the wheel, reassemble the parts.
6. Chain is Misaligned – Recheck the Alignment of the Sprocket & the Brackets
If the chain is misaligned, it might be due to the misalignment of the sprocket or the brackets on which the roller tube is anchored.
Realign the Sprocket
Just pull out and slide the drive mechanism, containing the sprocket, back into the tube ‘correctly’.
Realign the Roller Blinds Brackets
Use a level tool to check the alignment of the mounting brackets. If misalignment is detected, unscrew the brackets, realign them and rescrew on the RV wall or window frame (wherever they’re previously installed).
7. Chain Sticks & Produces Strange Noises –
- Trying untangling the chain.
- Remove grime and debris from the chain mechanism.
- Apply a lubricant, preferably silicon-based, as oil-based lubricant will collect dust.
- Remove the blind and reposition the chain.
7. RV Roller Blind Chain Is Broken – Restore Its Function Using a Simple Joining Link
If the beaded chain on your RV roller blinds is broken, try repairing it before considering a replacement right away. Follow these do-it-yourself steps that are the crux of our professional’s routine repairing practice.
- Step 1: Remove the blind from the RV wall brackets.
- Step 2: Completely roll the blind up by hand and pull out the chain drive mechanism from the end of the roller tube.
- Step 3: Reconnect the chain to the drive, making a continual loop again.
- Step 4: Bring together the open ends of the chain and fit them into the joining link, creating an overlap of at least 2mm, so that the ends will not slip back.
- Step 5: Position the chain in the drive in such a way that the joiner stays outside the mechanism even when the blind is fully rolled up.
- Step 6: Slide the drive mechanism back inside the tube. Snap the tube back into the brackets.
- Final Step: Set it to operation, and make readjustments, if needed.
Practical Tip
When repairing your RV roller blind’s broken chain, use gloves to protect both your hands and the fabric.
5 Urgent Reasons You Need to Replace Your RV Roller Blind Chain
1. Irreparably Brocken:
If the chain is broken at more than one location, connecting it with joining links mayobstruct operation, only allowing partial roll up. So, the only solution left is replacement.
2. Slippage Due to Thinning of Beads:
The beads on the chain have become so thin over time that they frequently slip when turning the sprocket connected to the roller tube.
3. Stubborn Jamming:
If the roller drive mechanism is jammed and remains so even after multiple lubrication attempts, replacing the cord could offer a solution.
4. Elongation Over Time:
Most RV roller blind chains tend to elongate over time, about .5% every six months. When the elongation reaches 1% to 2%, the chain will no more snugly fit on the sprocket teeth. It’s a clear signal that you need to replace the chain.
5. Stiffness:
If the chain becomes stiffened and hard to operate due to damaged beads, this would require installing a new chain.
4 Fast Steps to Replace Your RV Roller Blind Chain
- Step 1: Unmount the roller tube and roll up the fabric.
- Step 2: Loosen the plastic tabs at one end where the chain drive mechanism is located (typically the right end) to access the sprocket on which the chain runs.
- Step 3: Gently take the old chain off and rethread the new chain into the mechanism, making sure it is seated correctly.
- Step 4: Reassemble the mechanism and remount the blind. Test operation and make readjustments, if needed.
7 Ways to Help RV Roller Blinds Chain Mechanism Stay Healthier & Last Longer
- Keep dust, dirt, oil, grime, and moisture away from the chain by frequent, regular cleaning.
- Focus on gentle, jerk-free usage – apply force gradually, not abruptly when operating the blinds.
- Prevent over-rolling – stop pulling the chain when the blind is fully extended.
- Lubricate the chain drive mechanism regularly and correctly, every six months.
- Timely troubleshoot and repair damages to the cord or internal roll up mechanisms.
- Keep the chain secured for the sake of its longevity and child safety.
- Avoid uneven rolling for it may put stress on the chain, leading to its wearing and breakage
Estimated Cost of Fixing Roller Blind Chain, If You Need to Higher a Professional
Not an expert DIYer? We recommend hiring the services of a professional to adjust your RV roller blind chain. In the US, the national average cost per visit of a professional for window blind repair is $100 to $200, including parts and labor.
- Reattaching Cost: $50 to $100
- Repairing Cost: $50 to $150 (depending on the location and intensity of damage to the chain)
- Replacement Cost: price of chain: $30 to $80 and the installation cost: $40 to $50, totally up to $70 to $130.
Permanent Long-Term Solution for all Chain Related Issues: a Motorized Add
A cordless motorized add-on for your RV roller blinds is child-safe (CPSC-approved) and a luxurious option to raise, lower, or adjust the window treatments with the press of a button on the wireless remote control. If you are going to upgrade your motorhome window coverings, consider a motorized blind, which typically costs between $180 to $400 for RV windows ranging from 21×24 inches to 72×72 inches.
FAQs about RV Roller Blind Chain Fixes
How to reconnect a roller blind chain?
- Step 1: When your RV roller blind chain detaches or pops up, first check the chain sprocket for misalignment, disconnection or damage.
- Step 2: If needed, carefully re-seat or reconnect the chain onto the sprocket, ensuring it fits and gets securely locked into the teeth grooves.
- Step 3: Inspect the end caps, headrail, and brackets for wear that might cause slippage.
- Step 4: If the sprocket is stiff or bone dry, lubricate it using silicone-based lubricant, which is safe for plastic or metallic gears found inside the blinds’ chain mechanism.
Practical Tips for Hasslefree Chain Mechanism
- Lubricate the chain mechanism of your RV roller blinds every six months to keep the parts working efficiently, and to reduce the risk of corrosion and rusting.
- If your roller blind’s chain mechanism has plastic parts, avoid using petroleum-based lubricants, which can attract dust or dirt, and damage the plastic parts over time.
How to reattach a blind cord?
- Step 1: Purchase a cord or bead connector from a high street or online blinds’ spare parts store.
- Step 2: Position and fit either end of the cord into the cord/bead connector and clip to secure it.
- Step 3: Cap the bead connector, making sure it does not obstruct the functionality of your RV roller blinds’ mechanism.
Why does the chain keep coming off my roller blind?
- Reason 1: Misalignment of the chain in the sprocket.
- Reason 2: The chain is so loose that it gets slipped off the sprocket.
- Reason 3: The chain tensioner is too tight.
- Reason 4: The chain is worn out or damaged.
- Reason 5: A gear in the roller chain apparatus is stripped (with teeth worn out or damaged).
- Reason 6: Bad installation.
- Reason 7: Broken or worn parts.
How to remove plastic stopper from blind chain?
Simply remove the plastic stopper (also known as bead stop, or stopper bead) from the RV roller blind chain using needle nose pliers. Reset the limit of the window covering and reattach the bead stop. For a stubborn bead, use a utility knife to cut the plastic lip and release the chain. In that case, you’ll need to replace the stop with a matching type.
How do you fix a pull cord on a blind?
- Step 1: First, inspect the security pull cord on a blind on your RV for any damage. If the cord is detached, remove end caps on the headrail to locate the cord lock mechanism where the cord usually loops.
- Step 2: Thread the cord back through the cord lock and pulley system inside the headrail, ensuring it moves smoothly.
- Step 3: If the cord is frayed or broken, you’ll need to replace it with the one that matches in both color and thickness (diameter).
Need More Help?
We are ready to further assist with technical help for your RV roller blind chain repair. Contact our experts using 24/7 Live Chat or call (800) 490-5720 or email support@rvblinds.com today!