From what I have seen is the builders put screws into the "ends" of the trim to hold it in place. Over the years it shrunk so much that it has torn itself out of the screws and started coming out of the groove. When I replaced I removed the end screws and replaced with stainless...the heads on the stainless screws are a bit wider so it "should" stay put longer. I also covered them with pliable caulk.

 

So it shrinks without getting brittle? Interesting. May have been stretched to look like to be longer than it actually is - like in cheap fabrics, they stretch the yarn to get more clothing out of the strands. Just curious, not very helpful here.

 

If I had left it in longer it prob WOULD have gotten brittle.... but it was pulling itself out of the groove, why wait?

 

Bud, did yours have screws at both ends? Near as I can tell one end is secured with a screw while the other end appears to be held with calk maybe? I got a 100' from Beckleys today.

 

I think that all the trim pieces I've replaced always had a screw at each end. (I've done complete replacements on two 5ers) Ends on the top were usually arranged so that the screw was hidden under a trim piece and the bottom ends folded underneath the camper then screwed in.

The first campers' trim was brittle and had holes in several places, the second was still flexible but had problems similar to yours, both were discolored somewhat, so new trim freshened up the looks.

 

I believe both ends of mine were screwed. Been a while since I did it....If they weren't, they are now.

 

ok, enough for me to look for them anyway, I did get to it today, was doing the brakes on the truck instead,

 

Mine had screws on both ends. The trim that came out was not brittle, but I wouldn't call it soft either.

 

Replaced mine today, had to use a heat gun to soften the rubber a bit to make it through the turns. Still have one that I want to replace on the back end cap. I think I will wait until spring, it is fine for now.

Next up, wheel bearings.