awning lower support reattach

[jimh]

on my 2002 cardnal 33 ts. the lower part of the fdw leg of the awning came loose from the trailer. what is the quickest way to reattach it? the bolts have stripped out. i don't know what is behind the fiberglass shell.

[dimurrrw]

It really depends on just what is behind the fiberglass. If it is wood blocking, water infiltration may have caused rot. Anyway, I once repaired a similar problem by cleaning out the holes with an appropriate size drill bit and injecting a marine wood rot repair product into the hole. After allowing time for drying, I solidly packed the holes with Bondo, drilled appropriate sized pilot holes and reinstalled the mounting bracket using new lag bolts.

The repair held up OK but I was always a bit leery of it because I had no way to inspect behind the "fiberglass shell."

[jimh]

it's worth a try. if it doesn't hold, i can always go in from the bottom with a piece of wood. what i'm afraid of is that it may be stirofoam sandwitched between figerglass and luan.

i don't know if u've ever seen what ur walking on on the elevated part of the 5th wheel. it is styrofoam sandwitched between luan. there has to be a frame in there also to cary the weight. i had to replace a flange on the toilet and was supprised at what i was bolting to.