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74vette
Explorer
Dec 17, 2014

Awning placement question

I have a Komfort 5th wheel and plan to replace the awning fabric on an A&E 8500. I noticed that when the awning is rolled up, and looking at the awning from the end, the rolled up awning is about 3 inches higher than the rail holding the awning to the trailer. This creates a low spot that collects water and snow. This condition seems to accelerate the delamination of the awning. Is this a concern or should I remount the awning arms and rolled up awning lower to allow the water to drain off the awning when rolled up. Thanks in advance.............

6 Replies

  • Your awning is mounted as designed. It is supposed to be higher. That valley is on all roll up awnings. If you do not want to store it that way, you can remove the bottom stop washer/screw and stops on the outer arms. You can then roll the awning out 6 inches, drop the outer arm down a few inches and then retract. This will cause the awning to NOT roll up tight but will allow you to have that slope. Just remember to reinstall the side arm stop bolt/washer in the spring and put the awning back to correct install. A lot of work for something that is not really needed. Doug
  • Door clearance when out , will not be your problem
    Door clearance when the roller is in the stored position, is the problem to watch for
    How much space is there between the drip rail and top of door
    Can the rolled up awning rest below the drip rail and the door still open and close
  • Nearly always the stowed height is governed by stop bolts in the lower leg, not the bottom bracket location.
    Regardless, usually you don't want to move the bottom bracket, as they should be installed at the floor line, for a secure attachment point.
  • I am moving the attachment point of the arms that hold the roller down not the attachment to the drip rail. I have clearance to move the roller down without interference with the door. With the roller lowered and the attached awning to the trailer in the same place, it should not make much difference on the door clearance when the awning is out.
  • Check your door clearance
    You may not have room too lower the awning
    In many cases the awning storage position can be adjusted by moving the bottom stop bolt in each arm up our down
  • Ours is the same. Hasn't been a concern so far.

    One thing annoying is that the awning has to be up high so the door under it will open, which is too high to block the sun when sitting outside under the awning. We need a curtain down from the raised awning for that, which is not supplied. Not sure if the OP's plan would make that door clearance worse or not.

    (We don't have that wheel on top of the door to run under the awning some rigs have and the screen door is mostly the one that needs it anyway.)