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Cheryl_B's avatar
Cheryl_B
Explorer
May 01, 2016

No strap on main awning. How do I know the length I need?

Hi, all! I'm brand new here and just bought a used Class C and had it delivered to my home yesterday. A bit of buyer's remorse going on inside me, wondering if I really did the right thing, but I know that happens.

Anyway, I had them open the awnings to show me how they work, and also to see what condition they were in. They didn't open the main one so I asked them to before they left. I didn't realize until I went to put it back up that it has no strap. Thank God I didn't find the release switch last night in the dark.

So, I was looking online to see where to buy a new strap and I see one around 93". Others are much longer. Should I go with that one or do I need an even longer one? Do I have to measure and then do some calculations? I need this kind of asap. Would love some wisdom from you old-time RV'ers.

Thanks so much. :) Happy Trails.
Class C

39 Replies

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  • DavidandDayle's avatar
    DavidandDayle
    Explorer
    May 07, 2016
    Cheryl: I was a few years older than you when we started. It helps if you have someone slightly mechanical with you.
    Rolling up the awning is sometimes a 2-person job -- one to turn the latch and the other to dangle from the strap. On our rid it sometimes takes more than one try to get the braces to fold together properly; sometimes one doesn't want to mate up. Then person 2 has to push the bar into position (watch your fingers).
    Do not leave the awning rolled up if it is wet. As soon as possible extend it and let it air and dry in the sun.
  • Cheryl_B's avatar
    Cheryl_B
    Explorer
    May 06, 2016
    Thank you, tenbear. It's a frightening thing that I'm doing and I wonder (often) what the heck possessed me to finally take this leap. Can I do this all by myself, at the age of 53? What was I thinking! It's one thing to fantasize and dream, but it's another thing to push all your money to the center of the table and lay your cards down.

    I'm all-in and I'm not sure I have the cards.
  • Cheryl_B's avatar
    Cheryl_B
    Explorer
    May 05, 2016
    I just drove all over hell and back, but I have the pull straps I need. The rod came in the mail the other day. I cancelled the order for the straps on Amazon. All's well that ends well. ;)
  • Cheryl_B's avatar
    Cheryl_B
    Explorer
    May 05, 2016
    Okay. I called the number of the place from the link that you posted about Faulkner awnings. He said it needs a strap. It's so weird cause the booklet doesn't show a strap as one of the parts and neither does the schematic on the website, but he said I do need a strap. So, since I ordered it on Amazon rather than looking for one locally, I wait.

    I was afraid to try and manually roll it up cause if I release the spring and the thing goes flying out of my hands and crashes up against the rig, it's bye bye awning.
  • tenbear's avatar
    tenbear
    Explorer
    May 05, 2016
    Since no one has responded....

    By doing a Google search on Faulkner I learned that they are no longer in business and their awnings and parts are no longer available.

    Have you tried rolling the awning up and unrolling it? Did it work ok?
  • Cheryl_B's avatar
    Cheryl_B
    Explorer
    May 05, 2016
    Okay. This is freaking weird. I am going through the booklets that came with the motorhome and I came across one that is about the awning. Brand is Faulkner. Scoured the whole thing and nary is there a mention of a strap. In fact, it says to "roll up the fabric" by hand as you put it away.

    Where is the tension aspect of it? I'm confused. I ordered the rod and the strap off Amazon. The rod came, the strap still hasn't been shipped. Now I discover there really isn't anything needed but my elbow grease?

    Is this possible?
  • Cheryl_B's avatar
    Cheryl_B
    Explorer
    May 03, 2016
    Thank you. :) I know you're right. It's just that suddenly, I feel very unprepared for the choice that I have made. Fear is natural and I am a single woman, not in my prime, and it will pass. I will survive.

    I will be primarily boondocking until August or September, when I will have my short-term loan repaid to my family member, then I can spend money on spaces with power, buy a used generator, etc. Until then, I'll be roughing it and praying to God that nothing major needs replacing.
  • tenbear's avatar
    tenbear
    Explorer
    May 03, 2016
    You can make coffee on the stove, and people were living well long before the microwave was invented. Boondocking in an RV is not like living at home, but its a far cry from living in a tent. Before long you will adapt to life without a coffee maker and microwave and wonder why you were so worried about it. Thousands of others have done it and lived to laugh about it.

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