We have a 2011 Jayco Eagle 314BDS. Over the past few years the blinds seem to be wearing out, specifically the string that is used to allow them to be adjusted up and down. This weekend one string broke. Now it won't stay up at all. After checking all other blinds, I found that several other strings are frayed and will likely soon break as well. Is it an easy DIY to fix and replace the string in the blinds?Any ideas on how I could prevent this from happening again?DW wants this fixed ASAP as she wants to be able to see out the window and watch the kids. Any advice someone could would be greatly appreciated?Thanks,Ryan

Ryan, unfortunately, things like the blinds go to the cheapest bidder, as with most other things in our ovepriced RV's!Things just are not made to last anymore.....:(But putting that aside and answering your question, yes this can be a DIY thing to fix. I am a fix it guy and refuse to throw anything out if I think I can repair it.I have taken apart many blinds and fixed them. First find a replacement cord and buy a bunch. It is dirt cheap to buy so why not get 50 feet to have some on hand for future repairs. The trick is to find a better quality strong cord.Remove the blind from its mounts and you will find the cords go into the top and get tied to the controls. Note the routing and undo them one at a time and pull it out, following the path with the new cord. You can even tie the old to the new to pull it in to follow the same path. Just be careful with the slats so you don't bend them. Bottom of the blind usually has little buttons to pry off to expose the knot at the bottom to hold it in place.When you "tie the knot" (lol), use a double loop and pull the knot tight. That is, instead of looping it through itself once, go around twice or 3 times through itself before pulling the knot tight. This gives you a bigger knot that is less likely to pull through the hole, and also is less likely to come undone. Once you have it re-threaded, you will likely have to undo the knot at the pull cord end and "equalize" the 2 or 3 cords so they all pull equally on the blind.As a hint to help against future wear on the cords, especially if they go up and down a lot, assist the blind going up by raising the bottom of the blind up with your hand as you draw on the cord to open it. This will reduce the stress on the cord where it goes through the lock mechanism of the cords.You can do it - you da man!!

It's not a hard job as such, but a real PITA-type job. We've never had this happen either at home or in our '07 ROO....are they getting exceptionally hard use? You might be able to do this, but IMHO, you're ahead time and frustration to just head to the local Big Box Home store with measurements in hand. They will custom cut them for you. IIRC, you'll still need to adjust for length, but that's all. When I did our ROO, there was the blind over the sofa + a larger square window over the dinette, custom cut and seems like it was about $50. Remember to get new brackets for holding the bottom in place.

You did not mention what type of blinds you have but if you're talking about the Day/Night shades, there's lots of online sources that sell kits to re-string. Youtube videos are out there too. A Google search will turn up lots of info.

It is an easy repair. I have done it several times in our RV. The hardest part is getting the blind off the wall. In our trailer, a long shaft (about 12 inches) screwdriver did the trick.I purchased the cord from a local fabric store. I think it was Hancock Fabrics. I also went just a bit heavier on the cord used to make it less likely to break. Also, make sure there are no sharp edges where the cord passes through the various blind rods. Many have plastic grommets in the holes but some don't.All in all, not a hard project to do. After doing a couple of ours, it now seems very easy. The ones I did have held up well for the past 4 or 5 years. BarneyClick here for some instructions on how to re-string them.Here is another good instruction page.

One more source of info:videoParts

Window Blind issue | Good Sam Community

Huntindog
Explorer
May 26, 2014
DB2BRMI wrote:
We did one of ours on the road. U-tube videos helped and we used 50 lb fishing line instead of string. We have plenty of new "string" for the other blinds when needed. Ditto on the hardest part - getting the blind out of the clips at the top. Atta-girl to my wife!
DB2
Fishing line may work well in some parts of the country, but it would fail quickly in Arizona. The sun and heat would finish it off real fast.
DustyR
Explorer
May 26, 2014
BarneyS wrote:
It is an easy repair. I have done it several times in our RV. The hardest part is getting the blind off the wall. In our trailer, a long shaft (about 12 inches) screwdriver did the trick.

I purchased the cord from a local fabric store. I think it was Hancock Fabrics. I also went just a bit heavier on the cord used to make it less likely to break.

Also, make sure there are no sharp edges where the cord passes through the various blind rods. Many have plastic grommets in the holes but some don't.

All in all, not a hard project to do. After doing a couple of ours, it now seems very easy. The ones I did have held up well for the past 4 or 5 years.
Barney

Click here for some instructions on how to re-string them.

Here is another good instruction page.

Here is a company that I used for material Clicky
Not a very difficult job.
DB2BRMI
Explorer
May 26, 2014
We did one of ours on the road. U-tube videos helped and we used 50 lb fishing line instead of string. We have plenty of new "string" for the other blinds when needed. Ditto on the hardest part - getting the blind out of the clips at the top. Atta-girl to my wife!
DB2
toaobigal
Explorer
May 26, 2014
Wow, I found an answer without looking for it! I have the same issue with at least 4 of my blinds, looks like it will turn into a week-end project...
_tiredTeacher
Explorer II
May 25, 2014
cyntdon2010 wrote:
3 months ago, I paid the RV dealership to replace that string... cost me 35 dollars.. next time I will come here first..

That's all!!?? I'd think a half-hour job would bill out at closer to $50.
cyntdon2010
Explorer
May 25, 2014
3 months ago, I paid the RV dealership to replace that string... cost me 35 dollars.. next time I will come here first..
bob213
Explorer
May 25, 2014
One more source of info:
video

Parts
BarneyS
Explorer III
May 25, 2014
It is an easy repair. I have done it several times in our RV. The hardest part is getting the blind off the wall. In our trailer, a long shaft (about 12 inches) screwdriver did the trick.

I purchased the cord from a local fabric store. I think it was Hancock Fabrics. I also went just a bit heavier on the cord used to make it less likely to break.

Also, make sure there are no sharp edges where the cord passes through the various blind rods. Many have plastic grommets in the holes but some don't.

All in all, not a hard project to do. After doing a couple of ours, it now seems very easy. The ones I did have held up well for the past 4 or 5 years.
Barney

Click here for some instructions on how to re-string them.

Here is another good instruction page.
Ron3rd
Explorer III
May 25, 2014
You did not mention what type of blinds you have but if you're talking about the Day/Night shades, there's lots of online sources that sell kits to re-string. Youtube videos are out there too. A Google search will turn up lots of info.
dadmomh
Explorer
May 25, 2014
It's not a hard job as such, but a real PITA-type job. We've never had this happen either at home or in our '07 ROO....are they getting exceptionally hard use? You might be able to do this, but IMHO, you're ahead time and frustration to just head to the local Big Box Home store with measurements in hand. They will custom cut them for you. IIRC, you'll still need to adjust for length, but that's all. When I did our ROO, there was the blind over the sofa + a larger square window over the dinette, custom cut and seems like it was about $50. Remember to get new brackets for holding the bottom in place.

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