Alternate Method of Replacing Awning Fabric?

This is model specific but on some awnings you can insert a pin in ... Usually the rear end cap.. as I recall about 1/8 Inch, (NOTE do not trust my recall) thus locking the roller spring.. The end cap on that end also had cutouts so you could (or rather so I could) remove the awning fabric.. No need for cutting or drilling or anything of that nature... But I could be mistaken.

Had to remove and replace mine a few years ago due to modifications.

14 years old. I am a professional RV Tech(37 years). I hope you have someone Video your replacement. While you will be able to do it, I think a novice first time Awning Fabric replacement will yield a good video. 14 years old and I doubt you have any idea how the old fabric/rope insert will be stuck to both the tube insert and the Awning rail on the sidewall. You will need 3 people to do the job. 2 can do it. 1 cannot. 3 makes it a LOT easier. I can remove an awning like your model in about 10 minutes. Once on the ground it takes just about 30 minutes tops to replace the fabric. Reinstall the awning(10 minutes) and 5 minutes for any adjustment if needed. Of course I need the extra 2 men to just pull it off and reinstall. Have you remembered to remove either the front or rear mount bracket on the arms to get the awning rail rope out? Most awnings like yours the upper wall mount brackets hinder the slide out of the awning fabric. Also, 14 years old. I would verify the TYPE Cam lock you have. Older Dometic(A&E) awnings have a knurled lock cam that was discontinued. They started using a gear lock system about 10 years ago. The Knurled lock wears out. If at my shop and you had the knurled Front torsion lock cam I would advise to replace the front Torsion lock spring assbly with the updated lock system. Which adds no labor but just the part cost, since I take the Front torsion and rear torsion off anyway. Doug

As for removing the old fabric, I found it much easier to just cut through close to the coach (with the lever in the roll-out position), then easily take the awning unit off. Then you can just pull the sliver of fabric with it's 'rod' out of the rail.

Thank you, ClouDriver, that is exactly what I had in mind. I'm a regular reader here, so even though I don't specifically remember your post, I may have held that idea in my subconscious brain from your photos!

SoundGuy, thanks very much for the instructions, I appreciate it!

See my post with pictures here showing how I replaced the fabric on our A&E awning.

Its a lot easier to just take it apart than try to short cut it.you can put it back together and use the legs to wind the springs if that's what you are worried about

Yes, should have included the brand and model, sorry...

It is a Sunchaser by A&E/Dometic, model 834CU18.400, made 02-28-03.

If I'm not mistaken, the latch will keep the spring from unwinding as long as the latch is not flipped in the other direction (I think?), and as long as the cap is not removed from the roller. That's the whole point of my question - not having to take the cap off at all. And yes, the rib in the awning is creased into the tube and is held in by the cap, thus the need to drill the hole to slide the awning rod/rib/crease THROUGH the cap instead of removing it, if that makes sense.

Because as soon as you take the end off the latch no longer locks and it will spring and the ribbing in the awning is folded into the tube so the ends have to come off

Woodtroll wrote:
Any input or experiences with this method would be appreciated!

You could start by telling us the make / model of awning. ;)