Finally got out for the first camp of the season this past Friday. Got trailer all leveled up, detached from TV, hit the switch to extend awning and saw the far end wobbling around with the end cap all distorted. Checked end cap and it was broken into two pieces. Pulled things together and got out the 200 mph tape and wrapped it around the outside of the end cap, pulling things together. Pop rivets were sheered from cap into the awning tube. Got awning fully extended, went to deploy my OC awning support pole and the pole on that particular end did not swing down un-hindered. Bracket was bent a little. But, the pole was finally put in place with very little persuasion. Went to pack up today and when I retracted the awning, I noticed a small gouge in the awning fabric.
Yep, something had hit the awning, cracked the end cap and bent my bracket. Needless to say, I was a little upset.
The trailer was stored with other trailers for the winter. I know I didn't hit the awning the end of last year or between picking it up and the camping trip - I had already had to replace the awning after my first trip with this new camper 1 1/2 years ago. So, I have been overly careful in turns, close to trees, buildings, etc.
Now, I have to figure out a way to diplomatically explain to the guy at the storage facility that I believe he, or someone who works for him, damaged the awning.
NEXT - can the end cap be replaced? And if so, how difficult is it?