If you have pets or kids or just have trouble keeping your screen door in good shape when traveling, there’s a good chance you’ll need to fix or replace the screen door in your RV. Let’s dive into the basics of screen repair, RV screen door replacement, and some preventative maintenance tips to help you avoid fixing your screen as a seasonal RV maintenance task.
RV Screen Door Care Tips
RV screens prevent bugs from getting into our camper, keep a comfortable breeze moving through on warm summer nights, and can reduce how often we run our RV’s AC in certain climates. But as RV owners with young kids and pets, we know screen doors can easily be damaged if we’re not careful. So, let’s begin with tips on RV screen care and damage prevention.
Install an RV Screen Defender
The best thing you can do for that bottom section of your screen door is to install a screen defender. Lippert makes various sizes to fit your RV screen door, and you can find them in person, online, or order the compatible size from your local Camping World. Measure the width and height of the bottom section of your RV screen door to determine the correct size for a screen defender.
Get an RV Screen Door Assist
Installing a screen door crossbar can help prevent kids from pushing directly on the screen material when opening the door. It may not prevent everything, but it’s another solid option.
That said, be careful not to use the screen door bar as a handle to pull yourself up the steps or stabilize yourself while descending. RV screen doors are too lightly built for such use. This is what your exterior handrails are intended for.
Keep Your RV Screen Door Closed
Finally, screen door damage can also occur if it’s left open by absent-minded RV guests (flashbacks to my Dad asking me if I was born in a barn!). To reduce the chances of damage and keep your RV sealed to keep pests and insects out, consider installing an RV screen door latch upgrade like this Lippert automatic screen door closer.
Choosing an RV Replacement Screen Door
Okay, but what if your screen material is ripped or the screen door frame is damaged?
First, you’ll need to determine whether you need to replace the screen or the entire door frame. Luckily, a complete RV screen door replacement is only necessary if the door frame or hinges have been damaged. The screen material, latch, and even the slider can typically be replaced without removing and installing the entire door.
However, if the screen frame or hinges are damaged, the entire door may need to be replaced. If you’re unsure if your damage warrants a replacement, schedule an RV service appointment to have it inspected.
To find a compatible RV screen door replacement, measure the height, width, and distance between hinge locations on your current door. In most cases, you’ll contact the manufacturer or a retail specialist with this information to order a new screen door for your RV. However, you can order replacement parts like slides, latches, and handles online.
How To Replace the Screen on an RV Door
For those who need to repair the screen material or remove and replace an entire RV screen door, we’ll outline these two simple DIY RV maintenance processes. Let’s begin with screen material replacement. Here are the tools and supplies you’ll need:
- Flathead screwdriver
- Utility knife
- Scissors
- Screen repair kit (with screen roll, screen spline, and spline roller)
- Masking tape
Technician Tip: Some recommend removing the screen door and placing it on a flat surface for easier screen removal and replacement. But you can complete this DIY task with your screen door frame still mounted in your RV entryway.
With those tools on hand and installation tips in mind, here are your screen replacement steps:
- Measure the dimensions of the screen section to be replaced.
- Acquire a screen repair kit with enough screen material to cover the damaged area. In most cases, a rip or tear in the bottom or top section of your screen door will require replacing the entire section.
- Remove the damaged screen section by prying one section of the spline up with the screwdriver and carefully removing the spline all the way around the damaged section.
- Stretch the new screen fabric across the now-open section, ensuring it overlaps the screen door’s retaining grooves around the edges. The greater the overlap, the better.
- Cut the screen material to the rough size with scissors and use masking tape to hold it in place so you can work hands-free while installing the spline. Beginning with the top, push the spline into the retaining groove with the roller to secure the new screen material. Repeat on the left, right, and finally, the bottom spline, ensuring the material tightens evenly and is wrinkle-free as you go.
- Remove the masking tape and trim the excess screen material with a utility knife, taking care not to cut the spline, the new screen material, or the door frame.
Complete RV Screen Door Replacement Guide
You can try straightening minor tweaks before deciding on a full RV screen door replacement. However, a complete removal and replacement will be best in severe cases. To do so, you’ll need the following tools and supplies:
- A compatible screen door replacement (proper size and shape)
- The recommended screen door hardware (mounting screws)
- Screwdriver or cordless impact driver with a compatible bit for mounting screws
With those supplies in hand, the removal and replacement is relatively simple:
- Remove the screws holding the old door in place.
- Take the new screen door off the hinges.
- Install the new screen door using new mounting screws.
- Swap hardware such as slides and latches from the original door to the new one.
- Test and adjust as needed.
Keeping your RV out of the shop keeps it available for your next adventure. While there are always RV maintenance tasks we’d recommend leaving to certified technicians, here are a few others you can do at home.
Have you replaced an RV screen door? Share your tips, advice, or questions in the comments below.
The information provided in this blog is for general informational purposes only and not intended to take the place of professional service providers. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability with respect to the information, products, services, or advice contained on the blog for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk. In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this blog.
