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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

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  • Cheryl_B's avatar
    Cheryl_B
    Explorer
    May 01, 2016
    I have no idea what kind of awning it is. I'm literally learning as I go. I ordered one that is 94.5", which seemed to be the longest. I figured a little longer couldn't hurt. I went and looked in all the storage bins all around and inside the coach and could not even find the pull rod, so I ordered one of those as well.

    This is going to be quite an adventure. I knew it would be, but that's okay. It's an '85 and there are going to be lots of little SNAFU's.
  • jetcare's avatar
    jetcare
    Explorer
    May 01, 2016
    What kind of awning do you have, Carefree of Colorado or Dometic? Do an Ebay search for awing pull straps and get the one you need. 93 to 94.5 inches depending on brand. Getting one an inch short is a real pain.
  • Johno02's avatar
    Johno02
    Explorer
    May 01, 2016
    Actually, to answer your original question, just measure the extended awning from the side of the RV to the ourside edge. Anything longer that that is OK.
  • Johno02's avatar
    Johno02
    Explorer
    May 01, 2016
    You will also need an awning rod to pull it with if you can't reach it from the ground. Besides that, the awning rod is useful for all sorts of other things. When we roll our awning up, just a bit of sprial wind will use up the extra length, and keep it from flapping as you travel.
  • Cheryl_B's avatar
    Cheryl_B
    Explorer
    May 01, 2016
    They acted like it was the way to lower the awning and they each took a side and they lowered it using the bars. I have never had an RV with an awning so I was just trying to take in all that they were showing me about the appliances and whatnot. It didn't occur to me that there should be a strap.

    So the 93" one will be long enough or even need to be trimmed a bit? I just didn't know if there were longer ones than that. I found one on Amazon for $10 with great reviews.
  • Johno02's avatar
    Johno02
    Explorer
    May 01, 2016
    Too long is better than too short! How did they get it open without one?? Maybe it is just tucked to one end.

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