I see this is a rather old topic but it makes me feel better that I am not the only person who has has mishaps. Today i noticed my awning has mildew. I put it down to air out. Only problem I forgot to close it and backed into an object. It still closes but is not completely aligned. Am trying to decide if I should try to fix it (unbending the rails) and re caulking the bolts back into the frame. Fortunately, it doesn't rain too much around here but it still needs to be repaired just because I know it's there.....(@#$**!)