Dometic Awning failure

[cousin_eddie]

We have a 2014 Rockwood 2514g with a Dometic awning on it. Out on a trip this weekend, we had the awning out and got caught in a fairly heavy rain storm. A small amount of water puddled up in the middle, but I didn't think much of it, as this would have never been a problem with our old camper. A few minutes in, the main beam of the awning failed, and the whole unit came down. (See attached pictures).

We are NOT new to camping or to pups, we had our old Viking unit for 17 years and never had a problem like this. The old unit also had a Dometic awning, but that one was MUCH better built. This unit is from the "Trimline" and looked cheap from day one. It bent so bad that we had to bend it straight just to get it home, which cracked it completely.

Has anyone else had any problems with these?

Long story short, it looks like neither Forrest River nor Dometic is going to stand behind their product, and If I am going to have to pay for a new one, I refuse to buy another one of these flimsy units. Anyone have any recommendations for alternatives?

Thanks!


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[campfire joe]

I can't really help you much now, but I usually lower one side down to help with the water run off. I have the same awning, but I know where you can get another main beam.

[cousin_eddie]

Had we known it was going to rain like that, we would have too. There really wasn't much up there at all, our old one would have taken twice that and not flinched.

I misspoke in the original post, the one on our old camper was a Carefree of Colorado.


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[wmcclay]

Look up rv salvage yards, perhaps you buy a heavier awning beam from the same mfg. and roll your fabric on to it.

Good Luck

[vinmaker]

I would recommend a carefree from Colorado. I had that on my 2006 HW256 and it performed wonderfully. It sounds like you had one previously. I would not think twice about upgrading. In fact when I was watching the Rockwood set up video on line I noticed how flimsy the unit looked and the use of plastic mounts on the camper to hold supports. The carefree was all metal and very strongly braced. It was even set up for tie downs.

Thanks for sharing this. It helps us all to keep a better eye on this product.

Gook luck.

Vin.

[billt01]

It appears that they all may be lacking in sturdiness

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ure-43331.html

[GalsofEscape]

our hw277 has the trimline dometic awning. We have used it 5 years now and have had several issues. We did not stake it down once and it flipped up onto the roof and ripped out the left side pole. I realized then that the metal parts are soft aluminum and easily bent. The tie strips to hold the awning in the cover have dry rotted, can no longer tie it up. I can not roll it up with the camper set up, too tall. (though we actually managed that last week by going inside the camper, up on the beds and unzipping the walls to reach out to the awning cover, but it took three people to do it since the ties are dry rotted....

But, it held alot of water the one time I had the awning out and it rained buckets. I did not have a good enough tilt to the awning so when I looked up, noticed a huge bow in the fabric and realized it was holding alot of water.... the front section was also bowed but held and I got a drenching shower when we lowered one end and emptied the awning. We were in carport style with the legs on the ground. I notice that the front beam is two pieces, held together in the middle.

I was wondering if the two piece front helps or hurts the strength?? Does the setup configuration hurt or help?

[vinmaker]

I agree with the question of whether or not having a split beam is best. The carefree's have this also and I noticed that they began to bend. Rolling up the awning would show a slight curve to the beam. It was a 12' unit. The ones we have are 13'. More length is not a good thing. Hence I worry about the 16' roof that is coming on my new unit. But that is off topic and I digress.

Vin.

[Pill Billy]

Vin,

I hope you have nice enough weather to get at least one camping trip in for 2014 once your unit arrives. The wait would be killing me.


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[vinmaker]

Originally Posted by Pill Billy

Vin,

I hope you have nice enough weather to get at least one camping trip in for 2014 once your unit arrives. The wait would be killing me.


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Thanks Billy,

It is tough now that I am into the best camping weather there is up here. The fall in NE is beautiful.

Time is running out quick. By the time the unit gets built, then delivered, then a scheduled PDI, I am guessing it will be very close to the end of the season (Columbus Day). I will then just need to store the thing for 8 months until I can even figure out if all the stuff works. That is 3/4 of the warranty. If something is broken, then the whole summer camping season is over because the dealer will want it for 4 months to change a tire/lightbulb.

Vin.

[MrThursdayNight]

Wow, that's a big bend... We have the same awning and our took off in the wind. Bent a piece where it hinges but I bent it right back. I wish it was something I could have used the warranty for... Sad day.

[kinma13]

Mine flipped over the roof only bent at the corner also. No rips I now anchor it down!

[vinmaker]

Yeah. You need to anchor them down. They fly away pretty easily.

[TURBS]

Did you have the awning completely rolled out?

TURBS

"SABRE OWNERS UNITED"

[kinma13]

F1100turbo I did I have a pup and on pups u have to completely roll them out.

[campfire joe]

yea mine also blew up over my roof, wish it only bent a pole, but I wasn't so lucky, it put a small hole in my roof.

[TURBS]

Maybe you should read the manual for your awning about proper roll out and adjusting for rain.

https://www.dometic.com/FileOrganize...r-guide_EN.pdf

TURBS

"SABRE OWNERS UNITED"

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by f1100turbo

Maybe you should read the manual for your awning about proper roll out and adjusting for rain. TURBS

Don't think pop ups have power awnings.

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

Don't think pop ups have power awnings.

Oppss that it had a power awning

TURBS

"SABRE OWNERS UNITED"

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by f1100turbo

Oppss that it had a power awning. TURBS

No mention of a power awning and pictures prove it. Need some glasses FT of have Ms. Amy read it for you and explain the pictures.