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TrailLite30's avatar
TrailLite30
Explorer
May 16, 2018

Roll-up Canopy Replacement

Hello, I just recently purchased a new canvas for my roll up canopy off of Amazon, I plan on installing it this weekend but have never done it before and was wondering if anyone has any pointers or suggestions to make this process easier, it's ALEKO RVFAB18X8BLUE24 Retractable RV or Home Awning 18 x 8 Feet Blue Fade . Installing the top part where it attaches to the camper looks pretty straightforward but the aluminum roll-up looks like it might be tricky.
  • campigloo's avatar
    campigloo
    Explorer
    May 17, 2018
    I helped a friend do his. I would not try it with less than 3 people and 2 ladders.
    Definitely watch the videos. Just take your time, be careful and it will work just fine. There really isn’t much to it, just really bulky and floppy. Use lots of spray silicone.
  • bukhrn's avatar
    bukhrn
    Explorer III
    May 16, 2018
    Or, you could do as some of us have done, pay someone else to do it, regardless of cost, it could be well worth it.
    I still have all my finger and NO screwdriver stuck in my eye, and the awning works perfectly, looks great, and tension is perfect.;)
  • dodge_guy's avatar
    dodge_guy
    Explorer II
    May 16, 2018
    Just roll the awning out. Then the pawl Inside will hold the awning just like it does when you have it when camping. Just loosen the top reinforcement bars to keep the awning material slack then tighten them. Then you can cut the old awning out and slide the new one in. Very easy. Now if it’s an electric awning then that’s a bit different and you need to hold the roller with a screwdriver to keep it from unwinding. Otherwise it’s similar.
  • fitznj's avatar
    fitznj
    Explorer
    May 16, 2018
    There is a special tool to wind the spring up but I used a strong screw-driver placed through the hole on the end of the roller - this is the DANGEROUS part - my hand slipped and the screw-driver went flying - missing my head by a couple
    of inches - I'm sure that is a safer way to do it.

    If you have torsion springs on your garage doors - it's similar.
  • TrailLite30's avatar
    TrailLite30
    Explorer
    May 16, 2018
    Thanks Fitz ! I will definitely wear eye protection, were there any special tools you used to make job easier?
  • fitznj's avatar
    fitznj
    Explorer
    May 16, 2018
    I did this 2 years ago - never again - the spring tension on the roller can be lethal - there is a lot of energy stored in the spring when extended - wear eye protection and heavy gloves.

    It was a really tough to get the right tension back into the roller;
  • garyemunson's avatar
    garyemunson
    Explorer II
    May 16, 2018
    Try to borrow a second ladder. 2 people can do it but 3 cuts the time in half.
  • TrailLite30's avatar
    TrailLite30
    Explorer
    May 16, 2018
    Oh boy ! I will definitely watch the videos, may have an extra buddy possibly 2 but we only have 1 ladder : (
  • the_bear_II's avatar
    the_bear_II
    Explorer
    May 16, 2018
    There are lots of videos on YouTube be sure to watch them.

    The most dangerous step is the spring tension release and tensioning.

    Two people are needed three are preferred and two to three ladders

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