Bungee Cord Protection

[Spudislander]

Having read about replacement of bungee cords, I was wondering if there is something that could be done to extend the normal life span of these cords. In that regard, I was wondering if maybe regular treatment with something like DuPont Rubber Saver (used for treating automotive door and trunk seals) might extend their life? Another thought was the idea of somehow protecting them from the sun when the A- Frame is up?

Has anybody tried anything?

[lcv800]

I suppose you could spray or soak them in 303, which has UV protection. Cords are pretty cheap, so I just carry a spare or two and replace as needed. Also use cargo straps whenever possible.
Rusty

[Spudislander]

Originally Posted by lcv800

I suppose you could spray or soak them in 303, which has UV protection. Cords are pretty cheap, so I just carry a spare or two and replace as needed. Also use cargo straps whenever possible.
Rusty

I didn’t realize they would be easy to replace.

[tommytraveler]

They are not. Responder not familiar with A-Frame layout.
Tom
2012 A-122

[lcv800]

My bad. Didn't catch last line. Sorry.

[rboutell]

Are these bungees still used? I don't recall seeing these on my 2015 A122.

[Randy Hoffman]

Originally Posted by rboutell

Are these bungees still used? I don't recall seeing these on my 2015 A122.

My 2016 A122BH has them.

[pgandw]

My 2014 A122 has the bungees. I never see them except when raising/lowering the roof. The covering on the bungee is starting to show a little fraying after 5 years of use.


Fred W

[Ortep]

We have a 2016 T21TBHW and the bungees on the right side (Door) are down to two strands of "rubber". Wondering if anyone has replaced these themselves as opposed to taking the camper in for service? If someone has, where did you get the bungees and how hard is it and how do you do it?

[tommytraveler]

Here is a somewhat related alternative when dealing with bungie replacement. It is from the A-Liner group.

http://theoleguy.blogspot.com/2013/0...retention.html

Tom
2012 A-122

[tommytraveler]

Originally Posted by Ortep

We have a 2016 T21TBHW and the bungees on the right side (Door) are down to two strands of "rubber". Wondering if anyone has replaced these themselves as opposed to taking the camper in for service? If someone has, where did you get the bungees and how hard is it and how do you do it?

There are one, or more, YouTube videos showing the replacement method. See “A-Liner Repair—-Part 4” by Slim Potatohead, published July 8, 2017, to start with.

Tom
2012, A-122

[Ortep]

Thank you Tommytraveler. I'll look up the you tube videos and go from there.

[abdiver]

I replaced mine and it not too bad of a job and I am going to help my brother who also has an Aframe to replace his. I bought a new cord for under $10 and drilled out the old rivets with 3/16 drill and used new rivets 3/16 5mm depth and the cords which I measured were 52 inches long.

[Ortep]

abdiver, thank you for the info on the material. Did you do this with the roof closed, partially open or fully open? Do the roof sections need to be supported if partially open? I'll review the you tube videos, that Tommytraveler mentioned, to see if THEY answer these questions if you don't get back with me.

[abdiver]

Originally Posted by Ortep

abdiver, thank you for the info on the material. Did you do this with the roof closed, partially open or fully open? Do the roof sections need to be supported if partially open? I'll review the you tube videos, that Tommytraveler mentioned, to see if THEY answer these questions if you don't get back with me.

I did mine with it open which means I was standing on a ladder to drill and to replace the cord I used a 2X4 board to hold up the top partially open and the cord loose ends go up in the top and then you rivet it down (you will see when you remove the top how it works. then I pulled the cord loop end down and put the cover on over it while holding a new rivet and had to pull the cord down (I already removed the 2X4) and installed the new rivet. It would be easier at this point to have someone else help pull the cord as with it open it is stretched a couple of inches.

[OGUYSRULE]

Originally Posted by abdiver

I replaced mine and it not too bad of a job and I am going to help my brother who also has an Aframe to replace his. I bought a new cord for under $10 and drilled out the old rivets with 3/16 drill and used new rivets 3/16 5mm depth and the cords which I measured were 52 inches long.

Just did one side of mine the same as above.Found marine bungee on amazon 5/16 black UV resistance. I didn't open my roof all the way ,only enough too get the drill in to be able to drill out the rivets.

[cpttimerstraint]

Originally Posted by OGUYSRULE

Just did one side of mine the same as above.Found marine bungee on amazon 5/16 black UV resistance. I didn't open my roof all the way ,only enough too get the drill in to be able to drill out the rivets.

What size rivets did you use?

[abdiver]

Originally Posted by cpttimerstraint

What size rivets did you use?

new rivets 3/16 5mm depth

[OGUYSRULE]

Originally Posted by abdiver

new rivets 3/16 5mm depth

The bungee i bought from

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Ace Hardware sells 12 pack of rivets
Personnally i think from my expierence you could do the job by doing the front roof first the loop part then feed the bungee through the back roof. you will need extra bungee probably 60" maybe more. I noticed when I lowered my roof and watched the bungee on the other side camper it just goes slack when closing. Surely this is the way the do it at the factory not precutting the bungee and having to stretch it.

[abdiver]

Originally Posted by OGUYSRULE

The bungee i bought from

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Ace Hardware sells 12 pack of rivets
Personally i think from my experience you could do the job by doing the front roof first the loop part then feed the bungee through the back roof. you will need extra bungee probably 60" maybe more. I noticed when I lowered my roof and watched the bungee on the other side camper it just goes slack when closing. Surely this is the way they do it at the factory not precutting the bungee and having to stretch it.

I just helped my brother do both of his and the bungee was cut 52-inch long and it seems perfect since if you have too much loose cord it will get pinched upon closing and cause premature wear. I like the picture of the top connector as it shows the holes for the cord and the two rivets locations.