POWER PRO AWNING

[crunch1]

I have to change one of the arms on my main awning. Where it is bolted to the end of the tube, the arm is split. My question is: Is there a sppring on the motor end of the tube, I know there is one on the other end. I will most likey change out the vinyl to fabric while I am taking it apart.
If anyone has done this I could use some info on what you did or how you did it. I am trying to save the hassle of winding the spring back up, and if the arms were in an extended position or open just a few inches and strapped to hold them there.
I called Dometic and they were of no help.
Thanks for your time

[golf_bears]

I'm anxious to see the replies to your questions. I need to replace the fabric on my awning, it's starting to rip at the tube.

Worst comes to worst, we may be two blind mice trying to guide ourselves through the process!!! LOL!!!!

[Motor31]

There is a spring at the end. It is not on the end with the motor IIRC. I had the awning fabric replaced last Winter. The awning spring has to be captured and not unwound. The spring can be held secured by placing a heavy cotter pin or other pin into a locking hole for that purpose in the end of the mechanism. That hole is under the plastic cover on the end. It (including the plastic cap) is all held together by "pop" rivets that have to be drilled out and replaced by same.

In addition to that the arms are sprung as well and under significant tension from the tension arm. This is not something to be cavalier about, you can get hurt and end up with the mechanism broken very easily.

It takes about 4 people to replace the fabric, not because it is complicated but because it takes several sets of hands to align and then manipulate it properly without tearing it. When mine was done it had to be set fully expanded then the fabric was removed. Because the fabric also fits under the metal sun shield it has to be fed into two grooves simultaneously. The awning material comes with a flexible reinforcing "pin" the width of the awning for each groove. The top groove is where the awning is secured to the trailer wall. The second is where it mates to the metal sun shield. Feeding both through the grooves is kind of tough and that's where you need about 4 people. One at the end of the grooves feeding, one behind them pulling, one on a really tall ladder holding the awning fabric in line with the seams and one on the ground helping to align the fabric so it will feed. It works in reverse to remove it.

Removing and replacing the end rod, where the spring and motor are, takes two people doing the job simultaneously. You can't just work on one end and have the other hanging as it won't line up the mounting holes. The pole has to be held aligned in place and that requires a couple tall ladders too.

Once the fabric is in place you have to trim the plastic reinforcement to length and operate the awning a few times to make sure it's in alignment or the arms will bind. Once that's done then the screws that hold the awning in place are set through the material into the side of the trailer, that keeps it from shifting fore and aft out of alignment.

I like to do a lot of the maintenance on my rig and was willing to help out on doing this job but it's one better left to the folks who have had the experience and manpower to do it. I seriously recommend you consider letting a shop do this job. I've seen it done once, helped doing it twice (with a mobile RV service crew I am familiar with) and won't consider doing it on my own or with a single helper at all.

[wingnut60]

Mike,
That is one very detailed explanation--thanks. Makes me sure that I will have mine done when time comes.
Joe

[golf_bears]

Motor31,

Thanks for sharing your experience on the awning fabric replacement process.

Looks like I'll be taking the RV in to have our fabric replaced. I like to work on the RV myself but this fix is beyond my capabilities.

Thanks again for sharing.

[Stripit]

Wow Mike, your description is 100% spot on. I had mine replaced after the wind got me and the mobile tech along with 2 other helpers and myself got it done in the rv site. I think we were start to finish less than 45 minutes. I have been on the helping end for 2 other awning replacements. Without having any hands on experience it is very easy to get hurt and or cause more damage.

[ponch]

as always Mike good job!

[crunch1]

Thanks for all the advise. I have changed out many awnings, and fabrics. I just need to now if ther was a spring on the motor end of tube. Local dealer told me no. Changed out the arm, and decided to wait till next season to change fabric.

It is true, if you do not know what you are doing, you will end up with a flesh and blood design on your awning and anything else in the near proximity.

crunch1

[Motor31]

FWIW I may be revisiting the awning myself. It has ceased to function. Fortunately it stopped working after it was placed in the closed position. So far I have power to everything up to the control box in the basement. I can hear a solenoid working inside it but the awning refuses to open up. At this point since I am out in the back woods as far as RV support is concerned I'm likely to wait until I get back to AZ before dealing with it.