Forum Discussion

beaubeau's avatar
beaubeau
Explorer
Nov 04, 2015

Awning trouble

We have a 2003 Born Free with the original Dometic manual awning. A few weeks ago the awning was damaged in an accident. The lower mounts were pulled out, completely detached from the fiberglass body. The were repaired by an independent repair shop in the town we were in. Yesterday, the repair failed -- the front lower mount just pulled away in the driveway. I lifted the arm up to try to figure out a way to just secure it because we were trying to leave on a trip. No go. The arm got stuck at an angle and wouldn't go back down. So I kept lifting it trying to get it unstuck. And now it's stuck sticking out at almost 90 degrees.

I'd like to get us on the road.

Any ideas?

How hard would it be for me to just take the whole awning off so I could worry with it next week?
Class C
  • KCFDCapt's avatar
    KCFDCapt
    Explorer
    Nov 04, 2015
    You can remove the awning. You would need to support the weight of the assembly until it is free from the side of your unit, Perhaps tying ropes to the top of the awning and running them over the roof to secure them to the far side until you can remove the attaching point bolts or screws.
  • DrewE's avatar
    DrewE
    Explorer II
    Nov 04, 2015
    I think you might be able to get the arm back down by flipping the ratchet lever on the awning roller to the other position, if you haven't tried that already.

    Taking the awning off is not really hard in a theoretical sense, though it surely would be a cumbersome process. Basically the structure gets unbolted and the fabric slides out of the groove in the mounting bracket on the motorhome. The usual fun of dealing with caulking, rusty fasteners, poor access to bolt heads, etc. may apply.
  • dicknellen's avatar
    dicknellen
    Explorer II
    Nov 04, 2015
    Try what DrewE posted. I think taking it off would be a 2 person job. Dick
  • Duck's avatar
    Duck
    Explorer
    Nov 04, 2015
    I had something similar happen. I called a mobile service and had him take the awning off. It is definitely a two man job.

    Don
  • ron_dittmer's avatar
    ron_dittmer
    Explorer II
    Nov 06, 2015
    I suggest to support the ends of the box awning with a pair of 2x4s. Add a 12" bottom foot to each board to stabilize them in the shape of an upside-down "T". Wedge them at a slight angle under the awning to support it while you dismount it. Once loose, carefully carry the awning down your ladder. I just don't know how heavy the awning is.

    When down, I would quickly fill all holes with clear silicone caulk to seal against rain. When it comes to remounting the awning later, you screw right through the caulk, pre-drill if needed.

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