Redneck Engineering Help Wanted

Alright all, I need to ask for the help of all my backyard DIY'ers friends out there.

I have a 1996 Coleman Pop-Up Camper that is in great shape considering its nearly 20 years old. The only problem is bag that the awning rolls up and zips into for storage/travel is haggard. The sun has taken its toll on it over the years and the zipper finally gave in and ripped off of the bag this past weekend. I removed the whole awning assembly off the camper and have been brainstorming a fix...

I called a few local upholstery shops and got a few quotes as to how much it would be to sew a new zipper on the bag but the quotes have been in the ball park of $80 - $150 with a long turnaround time. I would like to save a few bucks and see if I can come up with a storage system myself.

I wanted to see if anybody has any cleaver ideas or fixes. I think some 4" PVC piping could be promising as shown in the link below:

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/27747027.cfm

I have also played with the idea of snapping in some grommets and making the whole assembly "lace" up like a shoe (think good old Chuck Taylors ) with some bungee cord. Wouldn't be as convenient as a zipper but more durable.

Any thoughts? Also, how many beers will this job take?

Thanks all!

 

Or wrap a few zip ties around it? Carry a pair of side cutters (aka dikes in my day) and spares zip ties in the camper.

 

I've put the bungees to it a few times while the bag was on its way out and it was a little sketchy. The road wind would raise heel at times and I'm afraid it would turn into a sail on me.

Zip ties are not a bad idea but I gotta say, I'm liking the Quick Fist idea, I've never even heard of them till I just goggled them. Those just might work! Any experience with them?

If I could mount them to the side of the camper, I bet they would cradle the awning assy pretty solid.

Looks like Amazon has a good selection. Can you get them at Lowes or HD too?

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=a9_sc_1?rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Aquick+fist&keywords=quick+fist&ie=UTF8&qid=1403627241

 

I'm liking these:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bApefxutfY

 

Thanks for the tip! Gotta love TW!

 

I have the smaller version for holding hand tools and they've held up well. My dad has had 2 of them on his tractor for years and it is holding up.

 

Check your local thrift stores for old tents with storage bag, seen them sell really cheap.