Interior sliding screen panels

[Bill McNamara]

Inside my "85" 345 MH there are sliding screen panels. I need to replace the screen on two of these. I've read the service manual and it says to just slide them to the center of the opening and pull on them til they bow inward and they come out of the tracks. I've tried this to a point. I'm afraid if I pull until they come out I'll damage the panel permanently and ruin it. There has to be an easy way to access these screens,
but I don't see it ? Any ideas ?

[thenewkid64]

The manual is right, but the pulling is in the down not out direction. I have removed them in both of my MH's and this is how I do it.
Open the window, slide screen to the middle of the opening, Grasp both sides of the screen and pull down to flex the screen more in the direction it is already curved, tilt/pull to get the top to come out and lift it out of the track. Reinstall the bottom first and flex it back in.

If replacing the actual screen material is what you want to do, you may be able to replace it without removal. If access to the backside is necessary, you should be able to get to it from the outside with the window open, I think...... I don't know if the center stiles overlap far enough to get to the spline.

[Bill McNamara]

Thanks for the quick replys. It is the exterior sliding screen panels. I'll give that method a try. Wish I had found this forum sooner ! We've owned our 345 since "99". It's a work in progress.

Bill Mc Namara

[53flyingcloud]

Bill Mc Namara
Hello neighbor!
Sounds like you got your A/S about the same time we did..
ciao
Vern

[Bill McNamara]

Howdy neighbor:

I know there are a few A/S around town. It 's nice to hear from you. Looks like you've done a fair amount of traveling in your A/S.
Bill Mc Namara

[Bill McNamara]

Hello "thenewkid64"
I tried your method of removal but no luck. There just doesn't seem to be enough give in the screen to remove it from the tracks. The splines of the windows are in the way on the outside. My next thought is to remove or move the glass window to access the screen from the outside of the MH. I'll keep you advised as to the final solution.

[kooblekidz]

Hi,
I would be curious to find out if you found a solution. I tried to muscle the screen out using the above method to no avail. It seems like the only way to do it and make it something one could do again would be to drill out the rivets on the retainer around the interior window, do the screen and then replace the retainer with stainless screws. Anyone know why this wouldn't work? WHile we're on the topic of non-user friendly design, what is the deal with the light covers in the living room/dinette? I practically need to use the jaws of life to get these on and off, and don't get me started on the "ease" of getting under the sofa.
Later,
Eric '84 345

[Bill McNamara]

Hi Kooblekidz:
I have not tried to do much more with the screen issue. It's been quite cold here in New Hampshire lately, so I've put this on the back burner til things warm up a bit. I had thought about removing the inside molding but wasn't sure if that would give me the room I need. This requires removing the wooden curtain valance to get at the top rivits on the molding.
I know what you mean about the over head lite covers. I had to replace a couple of bulbs and I was afraid of damaging the covers when I removed them.
I'll keep you advised about the screens.
Bill Mc Namara

[kooblekidz]

Hey Bill,
Thanks for the reply, I spent the last 2 summers running a campground in NH, so I know what you're dealing with. I got out of there and headed south. I'm still in touch with the crew up there and they've sent me some serious snow fotos.
I took down the wooden valances to replace the dustcatchers with minblinds. It's a much cleaner look and it wasn't too much trouble with a screw gun. If I get a break I'll probably do the screen thing soon. What I would like would be too get screens for the driver and passenger windows. I duct taped screen to the outside last winter and despite all efforts it still looked like duct tape, which looks like a joad job no matter how you slice it. Anyway, stay warm!
Eric