Rwilkes wrote:
Thank you. I believe they are the thermarest bunks but I haven't had any other issues other than this hem splitting. Gwh1bass- I did the same for over a year and it worked fine. Mine are in the top corners where there is a lot of tension, so the temp fix did not last long. I have 3 bunks. 2 have very small splits. One is now about 10 inches long. I'm going to remove that bunk tent and remove the hem in that section and see if I can replace with another type of water proof fabric. If doesn't work I'll take it in so nothing to lose. I'll let you know if it works.
I don't think you have Thermarest tents. They were only offered for part of the 2007 model year, and 2008/2009. No matter Thermarest or standard the plastic piece that is separating from the canvas and attaches the tent to the bunk door frame is known as J lock, and comes sewn into the canvas from the canvas supplier. The entire assembly, door,frame,canvas, basically everything less latching system, is all supplied by Lippert components, and has evolved through many design changes over the years. Originally they were a Kinro branded product and Kinro was bought by Lippert. Interestingly Lippert does not show anything about these assemblies on their websites and in their catolog or parts store anymore, they took it all down around 2011 or 2012. They are provided only to OEM's. I suspect in an attempt to limit their liability as they used to advertise them and would sell direct.
The current version of your bunk door and tent assembly is used by almost every manufacturer producing hybrids at this time except Forest Rivers Rockwood Roos, Flagstaff Shamrocks, and Palomino Solaires.
Lippert will probably not be much help. Sewing new J lock to your existing canvas if it can even be obtained would take some heavy duty sewing equipment. I would start by trying Lippert. Aerolite / Dutchmen service and support went to hell when it was consolidated under Keystone. I suspect your going to need to source a new tent which would include the J lock. Current tents / door assemblies being used on 2017/18 models made by Jayco,Keystone,Aerolite,Kodiak,KZ,Coachmen,Surveyor, etc should all be basically adaptable with little or no modification to your 2005. They changed design over the years of hinge arrangement and tent attachment at the door, but the basic size has remained the same. If you source new canvas from another manufacturer the critical thing would be angle of the front wall slope.
Too many geezers, self appointed moderators, experts, and disappearing posts for me. Enjoy. How many times can the same thing be rehashed over and over?
