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Hi all,

Recently purchased a 1999 Compass 460 GTE and overall a we are quite pleased with her.Only had one trip away so far but soon discovered how flimsy the pull down blinds and fly screens were,in fact we are now a little reluctant in using them as we feel they may break at any moment or Jam!!

On most caravans we have looked at they simply look the same but all appear flimsy?

we have priced up new ones and range approx about £40 a time,so this will be costly for us to replace.Has anyone had the same experiences with these? and does anyone have any ides to a cheaper option than replacement??

Many thanks   Brian.

Hi jennifer,

 I think they are pretty standard units.First pull down is the blind it's self and then behind is the fly screen.Have noticed on a few that at the top roller mechanism the clear plastic cord used in the mechanism seem to be wrapping around inside which doesn' help in it's function

Quote: Originally posted by 2646patricia on 15/6/2007

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Hi jennifer,

 I think they are pretty standard units.First pull down is the blind it's self and then behind is the fly screen.Have noticed on a few that at the top roller mechanism the clear plastic cord used in the mechanism seem to be wrapping around inside which doesn' help in it's function

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I thought the rollers were spring tensioned and the material was just glued onto the roller-perhaps the cord you refer to shouldn't be there at all.

this may help

My Blinds Are Broken

HI there

I had a similar problem and posted this last week.  I found a piece of clear plastic cord and removed it completly.

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Hi

I finally got round to making the adjustment.

I managed to get a selection of screwdrivers that allowed me to gain access to all the screws and I removed the whole blind to see how it works.

As rushallmanor mentioned above there is indeed 2 bushes at the top left side of each blind with a groove in each for a flat blade screw driver.  It is best to open the flyscreen and the blind fully then turn each of the bushes clockwise to add tension. 

The bush is on a ratchet therefore be careful to turn it clockwise then gently rotate anticlockwise to ensure the bush is engaged on the ratchet.  Also when the screwdriver is in position do not push too much on the head of the bush otherwise it will be pushed away from the ratchet and will not lock and when you let go of the screwdrider the spring may well unwind if that is the case and the the spring will have to be fully tentioned from scratch.

I have tightened each blind on each window slightly as the springs have weakened slightly over the 3 years.

Within the mechanism of the faulty blind there was a length of white plastic cable (similar to the plastic on the reel of a strimmer) floating around within the mechanism of the blind.  I have no idea where it came from and I have removed it completly, and the flyscreen and blind now work a treat.

The front centre blinds and the front right hand blinds have to be inched away from their fixed position on the left hand side to gain access to the bushes. 
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stevet

Thanks to all for your valued comments and help,much appreciated. I think i will follow 3004 steve's advice and try and do the adjustment to re-tension the blinds.

The mystery of the white plastic cord continues!!!!