Installing new Dometic awning arm

[rjsurfer]

Has anyone installed new awning arm on an old style Dometic manual awning?

A mis placed highway road barrel took ours out, it looks like all the three arms are damaged somewhat as are the sided mounting pieces. I can pick up an entire assembly for $299 which seems like a good deal but I see that there are some large pop rivets used in the install. Has anyone done this repair and how did you get the proper tool or couldmimuse some small bolts as a temporary fix until we get home.

Ron W.

[rjsurfer]

Op back again, job is done and all is well I have my awning back again.

Of course I didn't realize the lift arm handle was broken not only on my original but the used replacement arm as well. No biggie I'm just using a large bolt to drop into the appropriate hole to adjust the height. When I hit an RV parts place I'll pick one up.

Thanks for everyone's help.

Ron W.

[rjsurfer]

Dr Quick wrote:
I presume that you got an Awning support arm for $42.00 and not the whole awning. If you need to replace a whole awning I can tell you how to do that too.

Yes it was just the arm assembly, the dealer had a bunch of used arms from junked campers. We went through the pile and cherry picked the best components to make one complete assembly. The only new item I needed was the bottom mount that that is lag bolted into the side of the camper.

The only part I could not find was the chrome cap that sits across the large arm, it was bent on mine and I'm thinking I could just straighten it out when off the camper.

Again, thanks for your advice.

Ron W.

[Dr_Quick]

I presume that you got an Awning support arm for $42.00 and not the whole awning. If you need to replace a whole awning I can tell you how to do that too.

[rjsurfer]

Dr Quick wrote:
I have worked a few awnings. First question is which arm did you damage, the front of the rear? If it is the front arm, the "catch mechanism" will hold spring while you replace arm. If it is the rear arm you will need a "vice Grips" to hold shaft when you work on it.
Fist off I used a small 'C' clamp and fastened it to the gutter, then a coat hanger wire to support the end of the shaft so awning will not fall. Pull awning out a few inches for some Wiggle room. If it is the rear arm I think that you will have to set the vice grips so that handle is facing the top of the trailer and resting against trailer, but PLEASE very this first.
There should be a bolt on the end of the attachment that holds awning to the arm. When you take bolt out, hold vice grips to see which way shaft wants to turn. If up that we have it right, if down, insert bolt. Then position vise grips in the down position. Remove bolt then unhook form lower end to take arm out.
To install new arm you may have to "twist" shaft a bit to get top bolt to line up with arm. If shaft needs to be twisted up, you may need a second vice grips so you can take first one off to position to get bolt in.

Dr.Quick, excellent explanation on the repair procedure. I thought about the vise grip as a tool to keep the shaft from free spinning BUT I forgot the part about supporting the awning! Sure, you remove that bolt and there is no support. It is the rear arm by the way.

I just picked up a used awning (better than my old) for $42 dollars at a local Topeka RV repair/sales shop. So on my next stop I'll slide a picnic table over and place my small ladder on that, should give me the height I need.

Thanks again

Ron W.

[rjsurfer]

Dr Quick wrote:
I have worked a few awnings. First question is which arm did you damage, the front of the rear? If it is the front arm, the "catch mechanism" will hold spring while you replace arm. If it is the rear arm you will need a "vice Grips" to hold shaft when you work on it.
Fist off I used a small 'C' clamp and fastened it to the gutter, then a coat hanger wire to support the end of the shaft so awning will not fall. Pull awning out a few inches for some Wiggle room. If it is the rear arm I think that you will have to set the vice grips so that handle is facing the top of the trailer and resting against trailer, but PLEASE very this first.
There should be a bolt on the end of the attachment that holds awning to the arm. When you take bolt out, hold vice grips to see which way shaft wants to turn. If up that we have it right, if down, insert bolt. Then position vise grips in the down position. Remove bolt then unhook form lower end to take arm out.
To install new arm you may have to "twist" shaft a bit to get top bolt to line up with arm. If shaft needs to be twisted up, you may need a second vice grips so you can take first one off to position to get bolt in.

Great advice, that's sort of what I was thinking and it is the rear arm that needs replacing.

Thanks

Ron

[Dr_Quick]

I have worked a few awnings. First question is which arm did you damage, the front of the rear? If it is the front arm, the "catch mechanism" will hold spring while you replace arm. If it is the rear arm you will need a "vice Grips" to hold shaft when you work on it.
Fist off I used a small 'C' clamp and fastened it to the gutter, then a coat hanger wire to support the end of the shaft so awning will not fall. Pull awning out a few inches for some Wiggle room. If it is the rear arm I think that you will have to set the vice grips so that handle is facing the top of the trailer and resting against trailer, but PLEASE very this first.
There should be a bolt on the end of the attachment that holds awning to the arm. When you take bolt out, hold vice grips to see which way shaft wants to turn. If up that we have it right, if down, insert bolt. Then position vise grips in the down position. Remove bolt then unhook form lower end to take arm out.
To install new arm you may have to "twist" shaft a bit to get top bolt to line up with arm. If shaft needs to be twisted up, you may need a second vice grips so you can take first one off to position to get bolt in.

[Chris_Bryant]

Rivets are only used for replacing individual parts- if you replace the entire hardware assembly (the arms, et. al.), only bolts and lag screws are used- a bolt at the top of the main arm attaching the fabric-roller-tube-assembly (frta) to the arms, and lag screws holding the top brackets to the rig.