Never 2 late wrote:
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.....(@#$**!)
Been there, done that, paid $800 for the T-shirt! Getting ready to leave a campground last year and both the wife and I forgot that the awning was still open. Pulled forward until that dang tree decided to not move out of the way. We both heard a noise and I stopped immediately and saw the awning against the tree. Backed up and retracted the awning - it still worked, but the arm had a small crack where one of the upper bolts connected. And of course I couldn't buy just that piece - they only sell the complete awning arm assembly - parts and labor came to $800 - lesson learned!