Fix Forrest River 42DL RV Roller Shades: Spring & Tension Help

Asked by ScottAsked on August 1, 2025Answered by Elkhart RV Parts
Customer Question

How can I fix the roller shades on my Forrest River 42DL RV that either won’t catch and stay down or won’t retract? Do I need to replace the springs, and which parts are compatible?

Expert Answer

The issues with your Forrest River 42DL RV roller shades—one not catching to stay down and the other not retracting—are usually caused by problems with the internal spring mechanism or clutch. First, try manually re-tensioning the shades by removing them from the brackets, rolling the fabric up by hand several times, then reinstalling and testing. Ensure the shades are mounted level and brackets are secure. If the shade still won’t catch or retract properly, the internal spring may be worn out or broken. In this case, replacing the spring assembly is recommended. For many Valu-Line and OEM RV roller shades, a 3/4" replacement spring is commonly used and includes the clutch mechanism. You can find these replacement springs suitable for your model on ElkhartRVParts.com. Proper spring replacement should restore the slow-rise and tension functions of your roller shades.

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