Adjust Your RV Roller Blind Spring for Smooth Operation

How to Adjust Your RV Roller Blind Spring for Smooth Operation

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Does your RV roller blind stop rolling up midway, doesn’t stay where you position it, roller up too fast, or is difficult to pull down? It is due to the internal spring mechanism losing tension or coiling up too much over time.

Don’t worry – your RV roller shade is still functional. You can easily restore your RV window covering’s operation. At Rvblinds.com, we’re going to help you with expert tips that’re the crux of our decades-long experience in the RV blinds industry.

What is Roller Blinds Spring Mechanism?

Blinds Spring Mechanism
Blinds Spring Mechanism

Roller blinds spring mechanism is a lift control system that uses a coiled spring inside the hollow roller tube (typically extending the entire length of the roller tube) that creates for blinds smoother, effortless upward roll-up operation. When in optimum tension, this mechanism also assists in smooth roll-down and positioning of the fabric for the desired amount of solar brightness, privacy, insulation, noise cancellation, and other benefits that RV window coverings can offer.

Key Components of Roller Blind Spring Mechanism

  • Coiled spring – the magical part, responsible for storing and releasing potential energy, needed for smooth cordless operation.
  • Long hollow roller tube – houses the spring mechanism and usually extends the entire width of the RV window opening, end to end (also hold the fabric)
  • A little roller clutch – keeps the spring wound
  • End Caps – act as dustproof shield for the lubricated spring mechanism and add neatness to the roller tube’s look.

Note: All these components work in perfect coordination and contribute to the overall effectiveness of the spring roller mechanism. If any of these components malfunctions, you may need to consider readjusting your RV roller blind spring or repair other parts after proper inspection.

Pros & Cons of Roller Blind Spring Mechanism

Pros

  • Ensure easy, safe (CPSC-approved) operation of the RV roller shades
  • One-touch roll up, closer in convenience to motorized RV blinds
  • Cost-effective solution, save $100 to $150 on a spring loaded roller blind lift compared to a motorized lift

Cons

  • Less suitable for extra wide (typically 110” or above) and heavy windows
  • Risk of issues with spring tension due to frequent use
  • Involve higher repairing costs compared to simple corded blinds

6 Indications You Need to Readjust Your RV Roller Blind Spring – and Quick Fixes

1. Your RV Roller Blinds Track Unevenly

If, on rolling down the fabric, one side of the blinds starts to track away, leaving a gap on one side. This side-gap will grow wider as you roll down the blinds, resulting in lots of light seepage when you need total darkness in your camper truck. Also, this uneven tracking will damage your blind in the long time to the backside of the blind.

Quick Fix

  • Fully unroll the fabric, leaving the roller spring tube naked.
  • On the side of the blind that’s tracking away, stick 5 or 6 layers of tape onto the tube to add enough thickness to that side, so it will coil extra fabric that’s causing unevenness.
  • Roll the blind back up – and enjoy nicer, smoother operation.

2. Blind is Hard to Stay Down or Rolls Up Too Fast

Too fast roll up is a sign that your RV blind’s tension is too high. To fix this issue:

  • Step 1: Pull the shade out of the window along with the roller tube.
  • Step 2: Roll it down about half of the length, i.e., 24 inches, if it measures 48”.
  • Step 3: Put the shade back in the window and test the tension.
  • Step 4: Test if the issue is resolved. If the problem persists, keep repeating this process until the desired amount of (decreased) attention is attained.

3. The Blind is Jammed – Won’t Roll up or down at all

Solution 1 – if the Jamming is Due to Dust Accumulation

  • Lower the blind to the RV floor, making sure the roller tube becomes visible.
  • Check for and remove dirt or debris.
  • If the issue is due to fabric jam, unroll and reroll the fabric at least three times, making sure it’s even and straight.
  • Test if the jam is fixed. If not, look for any other problem. For example, inspect if the clutch needs lubrication.

Solution 2 – When Jamming is Due to Dried up Clutch Mechanism

  • Step 1: Disassemble the clutch mechanism of your RV shade.
  • Step 2: Clean and lubricate the jammed clutch components.
  • Step 3: Assemble the clutch mechanism and rehang the blind to enjoy fluid-like raising, lowering and positioning.
Expert Tip

If the function of the blind isn’t restored, consider replacing the faulty clutch.

4. Tangled or Worn RV Roller Blind Chain

Tangled or Worn RV Roller Blind Chain
Tangled or Worn RV Roller Blind Chain
  • Step 1: To untangle the roller chain blind, remove it from the brackets. To unhook the blinds from the brackets, retract the plastic wheel and locate the pin on the side opposite the chain mechanism. Gently push the pin in using a flathead screwdriver, and the blind will get detached.
  • Step 2: Remove and untangle the chain. Use tweezers and safety pins to loosen severe knots.
  • Step 3: Put the chain back on.
  • Step 4: Reassemble the blind and remount it.
  • Step 5: Test if the roller blind chain runs smooth and allows positioning of the blind without retangling. Make amends, if needed.

5. Spring is Too Loose – Here’s How to Tighten a Spring on a Roller Shade

If your roller shade becomes fully uncoiled, there will be no tension in the spring, meaning your vehicle’s roller shade won’t roll back up again once you extend or lower it. Here’s an easy, DIY solution to fix the uncoiled roller blind spring:

  • Pull the shade down out of the brackets. Use a step ladder if the RV window is hard to reach.
  • Roll the shade up back again manually and pull it back to the window.
  • Test the spring 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 apparatus.

6. Misalignment – Here’re 2 Methods to fix misaligned roller blinds

Method 1: Use a level tool to check the alignment of the brackets. If misalignment is detected, just unscrew the brackets, realign them and rescrew on the RV wall or window frame (wherever they’re previously installed).

Method 2: Remove the roller mechanism from the brackets, and realign the fabric by unrolling or re-rolling it on the tube.

Note: You may need one or two layers of fabric on the roller tube to add sufficient thickness for proper realignment.

Estimated Cost of Fixing Roller Blind Spring

Not an expert DIYer? We recommend hiring the services of a professional to adjust your RV roller blind spring. In the US, the national average cost per visit of a professional for window blind repair is $100 to $200, including parts and labor.

FAQs

How to fix spring tension?

If the spring on your RV’s roller blind isn’t working, follow these 3 steps to fix the issue in just 5 to 7 minutes:

  • Step 1: Uncap the ends of the headrail and loosen the spring adjustment mechanism.
  • Step 2: Locate and carefully turn the screw, bolt, or knob to gradually loosen the hardware component that applies pressure to the spring.
  • Step 3: Gently apply pressure or tighten the bolt or knob to incrementally increase the spring’s tension, or vice versa to decrease tension.

Note: Avoid over-tightening the spring, as this can overstress and ultimately break the spring.

How do spring rollers work?

Housed in the core of the roller tube, there is a coiled torsion spring, rich in potential energy. Pulling down the shade creates tension in the spring, which is released when the shade is pulled up, allowing the spring to be uncoiled or recoiled. You can adjust the tension in the spring to control the ease and speed with which the shade rolls up or down.

How to adjust the spring in a window shade?

  • Step 1: Unmount the spring mechanism from the brackets and manually roll the fabric up.
  • Step 2: To increase spring tension, locate and turn the fork clockwise until you feel tightening.
  • Step 3: Reinstall the window shade and enjoy faster, smoother roller up operation.
  • Step 4: If it rolls up too fast, consider decreasing tension by turning the fork/pin counter-clockwise.

Caution

Be careful not to tighten the spring too much to avoid spoiling its energy storing power. Just 2 to 4 clockwise (to increase tension) or counter-clockwise rounds (to decrease/release tension) of the spring-side pin are enough. If you face difficulty in turning the pin, use a pair of pliers.

Need More Help?

We are ready to further assist with RV roller blind spring adjustment. Contact our experts using 24/7 Live Chat or call (800) 490-5720 or email support@rvblinds.com today!