Bent awning roller

[Fifty4F100]

Has anyone had a problem with a bent awning roller. I have a long awning that has a center support rafter that I've never used. During a good downpour I see the reason for using it. I woke up to a big puddle of water on my awning. After working it off I noticed the roller had a big bend. I tried to get it straightened while camping, but with me hanging on it, it wouldn't bend back. Looks like the water weighed more than my @200# frame! Is there a fix for this?

[dougrainer]

mike brez wrote:

dougrainer wrote:

mike brez wrote:
From my Zipdee owners manual

Zipdee's have a completely different tube than Carefree and Dometic. Doug

I didn't see he posted what he had.

He has a HR (1999) motorhome and would not have a Zipdee. Zipdee tubes are extremely strong. Very rare to bend them. Doug

[Sully2]

dougrainer wrote:

mike brez wrote:
From my Zipdee owners manual

Zipdee's have a completely different tube than Carefree and Dometic. Doug

Yepper!

[barlow46]

Check with your insurance carrier. Happened to me a couple of years ago. Friends came to visit while I was setting up after arriving. I had just rolled out the awning but had not yet adjusted the angle for water run off. Flash flood thunderstorm came along and I heard the loud pop as the support arm gave way. I called my agent just in case I had coverage for being asleep at the wheel. He said yes and that it happens quite often. The insurance company replaced the entire awning, support arms and all. Cost me my $250 deductible.

[mike_brez]

dougrainer wrote:

mike brez wrote:
From my Zipdee owners manual

Zipdee's have a completely different tube than Carefree and Dometic. Doug

I didn't see he posted what he had.

[dougrainer]

wa8yxm wrote:

tomkaren13 wrote:
Sounds like a new roller is needed. We sure could not straighten ours.

You will never get it straight.. A good metal smith MIGHT but the cost would be prohibitive.

Now th good news

If your new roller comes with new ends.. May I please have the rear end.. Thank you.

When you buy a awning tube, that is all you get. You transfer the springs and hardware to the new tube. Doug

[wa8yxm]

tomkaren13 wrote:
Sounds like a new roller is needed. We sure could not straighten ours.

You will never get it straight.. A good metal smith MIGHT but the cost would be prohibitive.

Now th good news

If your new roller comes with new ends.. May I please have the rear end.. Thank you.

[Jim]

You'll have to drive to Phoenix, park with the awning facing south-west. Then using ratcheting tie straps on the ends connected to stakes in the ground, and a custom built form in the middle for support, let the heat slowly unbend the roller as you ratchet it tighter every morning.

Meanwhile, enjoy the heat in Phoenix. ROAD TRIP!

(Any excuse for a road trip is a good excuse).

[dougrainer]

mike brez wrote:
From my Zipdee owners manual

Zipdee's have a completely different tube than Carefree and Dometic. Doug

[Sully2]

Buy a new tube....your wasting time trying to straighten the existing one.

After this...prior to any heavy downpour...set your awning so one corner has a DEFINITE slope to it. Rain will then collect and run down the low corner and run off.

I sit mine so the low end will hit me in the head ( Im 5'10") and the high end I cant even jump up and touch

[mike_brez]

From my Zipdee owners manual

[Fifty4F100]

I can live with it. It doesn't roll all the way up. And its 16 years old and will need replacing soon anyway.

And I did have one end lower than the other. It collected on the low end. So maybe not low enough.

[dodge_guy]

I have a very slight bow to mine. It collected a bit of water when rolled up. It is 21ft long, and I didn't have a support. I now have a support and the bow is almost gone!

[MrWizard]

Any time I suspect rain, I lower one corner of the awning, usually the rear corner
1/4 ~1/3 is enough to keep water from pooling
Yes my awning is manual, and old fashion with the pull out upright arms
Not electric and automatic

[Executive45]

Pssst...once you've replaced the roller, use the center support in the future...:B.....Dennis