Awning Fabric... with a twist

[KRS]

Good evening all,

Read the thread on fabric replacement, looks like it went well.

I store my folks' trailer at my house.

Here's the issue I have:

Extended the awning last fall, and the sun rotted fabric closest to the trailer tore free and dropped the aluminum awning tube directly on my Mom, she caught it on her cheek, jaw, and arms; kept the tube from hitting the ground.

It spun and spun though.

So, I have a more complicated replacement than discussed in other threads.

I read the attached .pdf in the other thread. Good info.

The awning:
A&E
Product# 958301019
Mode# 848ET17.400
Serial# 32169581
Manufactured 06/02/2003
I measured what's left of the fabric, it's 16' x 7'

I'll have quite the job on my hands, and it's something I've never done. Folks are going to the Salmon River (Idaho) this fall and I'd like to get it ready for them. They'll be buying the fabric (need to direct their purchase if you have any hints).

I'm asking for ideas, help, advice, and encouragement

KRS

[Terier]

Originally Posted by KRS

Good evening all,

Read the thread on fabric replacement, looks like it went well.

I store my folks' trailer at my house.

Here's the issue I have:

Extended the awning last fall, and the sun rotted fabric closest to the trailer tore free and dropped the aluminum awning tube directly on my Mom, she caught it on her cheek, jaw, and arms; kept the tube from hitting the ground.

It spun and spun though.

So, I have a more complicated replacement than discussed in other threads.

I read the attached .pdf in the other thread. Good info.

The awning:
A&E
Product# 958301019
Mode# 848ET17.400
Serial# 32169581
Manufactured 06/02/2003
I measured what's left of the fabric, it's 16' x 7'

I'll have quite the job on my hands, and it's something I've never done. Folks are going to the Salmon River (Idaho) this fall and I'd like to get it ready for them. They'll be buying the fabric (need to direct their purchase if you have any hints).

I'm asking for ideas, help, advice, and encouragement

KRS

Ouch! I hope mom has recovered and doing well. Just reading about it hurts.

[LadyWindrider]

The reason it spun, the spring that rolls it up came unwound. With no fabric, it will just unwind. There is a hole for locking the spring on the left end, when looking at it face first, but I have never had to rewind one. Only suggestion at the moment, is get a strap wrench, and wind it as tight as you can, then back off about 10 or 12 turns, and install new fabric already rolled to awning. If my math is correct, the awning rolls about 10 inches per turn on a 3 inch awning tube. For an 8 foot awning that would be 10 turns, but realizing the roller dimension grows with each roll of fabric added. If the fabric is already rolled, when you unroll the awning, it will make up for the 10 turns or so, and wind the spring tight. Best I can off at the moment, getting late

[KRS]

Terier, she was Very sore for a couple of days. Glad nothing worse happened, it could have been tragic.

[KRS]

Found a great deal on fabric at ppl rv. Just need to rewind it.

Windrider, i appreciate that idea. I'm going to keep searching for the actual procedure to be sure.

[VTX Al]

Originally Posted by KRS

Found a great deal on fabric at ppl rv. Just need to rewind it.

Windrider, i appreciate that idea. I'm going to keep searching for the actual procedure to be sure.

Here's a link to installation instructions - it is for installing the entire unit but should give some help in rewinding torsion spring. http://dometic.com/FileOrganizer/1-i...llation_EN.pdf

(if this is not the correct awning model, go to the Dometic home page and find the manuals page and then select the correct model)

...VTX-Al

[OldCoot]

Here is a pdf file on the awning material replacement. It might also shed some light on how it should be done and what you need to be careful doing.

[KRS]

Got Started!

Springs look good, they're not broken. Thought they might be due to the way they unwound.

Removed main support arms, relieved what little tension was left, drilled out rivets, removed tension arms/end caps, removed fabric, placed fabric order.

Also found a slider catch knob broken, so I ordered two of those.

Found my box of rivets, I have some that will do.

Waiting for parts

[KRS]

Had all the parts. My folks showed up for a stay this summer.

Paid a guy $84.50 to instal the new awning fabric.

Best $84 my mom ever spent

[Terier]

Thanks for the update. By the way - how is mom doing?

[KRS]

LOL. Good. My son went to Philmont scout ranch and my oldest daughter to girls camp, so my youngest was going to be home alone during the day. Mom said "no way" and came out for a visit.