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07-07-2013, 02:26 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: GA
Posts: 168
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Awning Arm failure
Just came back from our first trip to the Lake in the Solaire and we had a good time. We found that they did not seal the bottom of the shower and we had to go to Wally world to get a couple tubes of silicone to seal the bottom...One major issue that we encountered was a Awning arm failure, the wife and I were sitting outside enjoying a steady (not overly heavy ) rain shower and heard a something give and then a very large splash.
Has anyone here ever encountered / seen this type of failure?
__________________
"Camping invloves a tent, bugs, and incliment weather. This aint camping"
-Bill Thomas
Palomino Solaire 317 BHSK
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07-07-2013, 02:50 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Metro St. Louis Area
Posts: 1,248
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Any photos? What type of awning and did you have it set to dump the rain off?
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07-07-2013, 03:17 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: GA
Posts: 168
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__________________
"Camping invloves a tent, bugs, and incliment weather. This aint camping"
-Bill Thomas
Palomino Solaire 317 BHSK
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07-07-2013, 03:23 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Komoka Ontario
Posts: 2,680
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It should dump the water automatically, did you have the thumb screws tightened? I know they need to be loose.
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"Well that didn't go as expected"
2015 Chev 2500HD Highcountry Duramax
Cedar Creek Silverback 33IK
Donald&Casey cairn terrier
Rest in Peace Mary my darling wife.
Scottish by birth Canadian by time.
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07-07-2013, 03:25 PM
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#5
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Mod free 5er
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Concord, NC
Posts: 24,702
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Quote:
Originally Posted by billt01
No one ever stated we had to "set" the awning to dispose of the water.
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Sorry you experienced this. As you found out, the self-dumping does not work as advertised. Now you will have to remember to always set the awning with tilt in it.
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07-07-2013, 03:30 PM
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#6
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Mod free 5er
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Concord, NC
Posts: 24,702
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DDC
It should dump the water automatically, did you have the thumb screws tightened? I know they need to be loose.
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They are suppose to dump regardless of the arms being tight or loose from what I understand. I never tighten mine, but I use poles/tie downs and always tilt the awning.
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07-07-2013, 03:33 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: GA
Posts: 168
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Should this be covered under the warranty?
__________________
"Camping invloves a tent, bugs, and incliment weather. This aint camping"
-Bill Thomas
Palomino Solaire 317 BHSK
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07-07-2013, 03:43 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: GA
Posts: 168
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here is the "indention" that the water left after the break....
__________________
"Camping invloves a tent, bugs, and incliment weather. This aint camping"
-Bill Thomas
Palomino Solaire 317 BHSK
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07-07-2013, 03:56 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Komoka Ontario
Posts: 2,680
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I'd be trying for warranty coverage, you have nothing to lose.
__________________
"Well that didn't go as expected"
2015 Chev 2500HD Highcountry Duramax
Cedar Creek Silverback 33IK
Donald&Casey cairn terrier
Rest in Peace Mary my darling wife.
Scottish by birth Canadian by time.
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07-08-2013, 06:49 AM
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#10
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Site Team - Lou
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: South Eastern PA
Posts: 23,268
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There are two ways to avoid this in the future (I doubt it will be a warranty item unless the dealer offers to repair it as a good will gesture):
1) Do not "over extend" the awning. Unrolling it "all the way" will leave a "ditch" along the roller where water can pool until the weight becomes too much for the support arms. (the photo shows an over extended awning). Always leave a 1/4 wrap "over the top of the roller as that adds strength to the roller so it won't bow and allows water to run off the sides AND the front.
2) Lower one side (if possible on your awning) to allow water to run off on the side of your choosing. The roller will be lower on that side than on the side you want to keep dry-"er".
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Lou & Freya the wonder dog
2008 GMC Sierra 3000HD Allison Duramax
2019 Flagstaff 8529FL
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07-08-2013, 07:15 AM
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#11
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Phat Phrog Stunt Team
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 34,507
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Auto dump feature works as follows.
Tighten one knob and leave the other loose on the end you want to dump.
Someone has a video on here of it working.
I'm still in the old school mindset and tilt the awning.
Turbs
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07-08-2013, 07:23 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,258
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Quote:
Originally Posted by billt01
No one ever stated we had to "set" the awning to dispose of the water.
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Sadly, there are a lot of things the dealers forget to tell their customers.
Yes, these fancy new awnings are "supposed" to dump automatically, but they are built so cheaply, I wouldn't trust it.
Looking at your pictures, I don't see the height adjustment knobs? Maybe this is one of the earlier models that hasn't been upgraded? They added that feature for exactly this reason.
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07-08-2013, 07:24 AM
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#13
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Phat Phrog Stunt Team
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 34,507
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Also where did you seal on your shower?
If you sealed where the surround meets the base that actually doesn't need caulk as the base has a lip that goes up behind sower surround.
Caulking that would only trap water if you don't get it sealed 100%
Turbs
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07-08-2013, 07:27 AM
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#14
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Phat Phrog Stunt Team
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 34,507
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bakken
Sadly, there are a lot of things the dealers forget to tell their customers.
Yes, these fancy new awnings are "supposed" to dump automatically, but they are built so cheaply, I wouldn't trust it.
Looking at your pictures, I don't see the height adjustment knobs? Maybe this is one of the earlier models that hasn't been upgraded? They added that feature for exactly this reason.
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I'd hate to think a new trailer has the old system !
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07-08-2013, 07:35 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,258
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Quote:
Originally Posted by f1100turbo
I'd hate to think a new trailer has the old system !
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Indeed. I was looking for the adjustment knobs, but I see that there is the spring-loaded stainless button there with a series of adjustment holes.
One issue with these newer awnings is the very cheap fabric they are using, and the fact that it stretches so easily. That means that the awning, if left level, begins to trap water immediately, and will continue to stretch and hold more water until something gives.
The awning material on our old fifth was easily twice as heavy, as were the arms and other fixtures.
They just keep making things cheaper and cheaper.
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07-08-2013, 07:47 AM
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#16
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Phat Phrog Stunt Team
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 34,507
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bakken
Indeed. I was looking for the adjustment knobs, but I see that there is the spring-loaded stainless button there with a series of adjustment holes.
One issue with these newer awnings is the very cheap fabric they are using, and the fact that it stretches so easily. That means that the awning, if left level, begins to trap water immediately, and will continue to stretch and hold more water until something gives.
The awning material on our old fifth was easily twice as heavy, as were the arms and other fixtures.
They just keep making things cheaper and cheaper.
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I agree wholeheartedly!
Btw on a side note I went by bakken road yesterday in Wisconsin. ....
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07-08-2013, 08:02 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,258
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Quote:
Originally Posted by f1100turbo
I agree wholeheartedly!
Btw on a side note I went by bakken road yesterday in Wisconsin. ....
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The Bakken oil fields paid for my camper, among other things.
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07-08-2013, 08:07 AM
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#18
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Phat Phrog Stunt Team
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 34,507
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bakken
The Bakken oil fields paid for my camper, among other things.
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Pm sent.
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07-08-2013, 08:10 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Lexington, NC
Posts: 2,621
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bakken
Indeed. I was looking for the adjustment knobs, but I see that there is the spring-loaded stainless button there with a series of adjustment holes.
One issue with these newer awnings is the very cheap fabric they are using, and the fact that it stretches so easily. That means that the awning, if left level, begins to trap water immediately, and will continue to stretch and hold more water until something gives.
The awning material on our old fifth was easily twice as heavy, as were the arms and other fixtures.
They just keep making things cheaper and cheaper.
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Right. Mine is new and has the buttons on both ends. I'm wondering if the fabric eventually had to be replaced, would a heavier fabric over-tax the electric motor? Mine also seems very flimsy in the slightest breeze, and I end up rolling it in and (if it rains along with the wind) having to store my chairs in a dry place.
__________________
2018 Coachmen Apex 249 RBS
2010 Silverado LT 5.3 V8
The world is a great book, of which those who never stir from home
read only a page. - St. Augustine
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07-08-2013, 08:24 AM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,258
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mjones12
Right. Mine is new and has the buttons on both ends. I'm wondering if the fabric eventually had to be replaced, would a heavier fabric over-tax the electric motor? Mine also seems very flimsy in the slightest breeze, and I end up rolling it in and (if it rains along with the wind) having to store my chairs in a dry place.
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Ours is a different make, but just as flimsy.
Interesting thought about heavier fabric over-loading the motor, and you're probably right, as the motor will be the bare minimum to get the job done as it is.
I think we just have to live with what we've got, and simply be very careful to do everything to avoid damaging anything.
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