Installed a new 16' awning fabric - Found an easier way than all the howtos online

[lugoismad]

My old awning is bad shape. I bought a new awning fabric on ebay for $140.

Extended my old awning, then just cut it in half so I had room to work and could take it off easier.



I put a stake and ziptied it to the awning frame on the back end, just to keep things lined up while I was yanking and pulling the new awning on and the old one off.



You can see at the front end, there is already one open hold for the valence, but you have to drill out a rivet, remove the cap, and deal with the spring to get the main awning out.

What if there was a better way....



First, I taped the up/down switch so I couldn't do something dumb.

Then I drilled a hole.



Ran my air hose out from the garage



And used a little air grinder to grind it open,



Smooth it out with a file, and your good to go!



I had the new awning on in about an hour of cursing, yanking and tugging, with some help from my wife and my neighbor. I got it about half way on by myself, but I was only making about 3 inches of progress at a time before I'd have to get down off the ladder and pull from the other direction.

To hold the awning in place, I still put the screw back in place up top, and on the bottom I just filled the end of the track in with some silicone. Easy enough to pull out if I ever need to replace the fabric again, but will keep the awning from somehow coming out. Although I seriously doubt it would have ever happened had I not done that either, its a real pain to get that thing in there.


All zipped up and ready for a camping trip next weekend! We're going to Red River Gorge in Kentucky.

[Toddupton]

Oh now look you just voided your warranty! ��

[lugoismad]

Originally Posted by Toddupton

Oh now look you just voided your warranty! ��

Its a ten year old camper

[GaryNc]

My wife and I changed ours also, It is 21 feet. I did take the caps off and I put it in there first then put it in the top channel. It took us probably about four hours for us to finally get it done! The first try at the top rail, I noticed that the plastic round thing had slipped back into the awning. I had to pull it back out and start all over again. Needless to say the air was turning blue by that point with all the cuss words flying ... Lol

[rsdata]

Nice write up and pictures
thx

[bob caldwell]

Just did mine also

[juhesihcaaa]

I hope to never have to do this again.

[kenenn]

I was fortunate enough to have a friendly RV'r show me the same way some four years ago and after doing my awning in the same fashion, have had no problems and have told others of this simple method. Also saves time and money if you had to have it done by an RV Shop.

[HerveVR]

Many thanks for sharing your work with pictures.

Filed in my personal RV tips toolbox.

[DouglasReid]

Originally Posted by Toddupton

Oh now look you just voided your warranty! ��

Think about it for a moment...............IF it were still under warranty it would not be worn out yet; AND he would not be replacing it himself, would he?

[lugoismad]

Originally Posted by kenenn

I was fortunate enough to have a friendly RV'r show me the same way some four years ago and after doing my awning in the same fashion, have had no problems and have told others of this simple method. Also saves time and money if you had to have it done by an RV Shop.

I think it would have saved a lot of time and cursing had I lubed all the rails with silicone spray. I didn't think about that until I was done, and was pretty mad at myself

[pdqparalegal1]

Originally Posted by DouglasReid

Think about it for a moment...............IF it were still under warranty it would not be worn out yet; AND he would not be replacing it himself, would he?

Think warrenty comment ws tongue in cheek, not serious

[Edjen]

So refreshing to see others think out of the box. I watched several videos per this. Thought exactly like you but failed to pursue. As may granddaughter would say, DUGH Papa!

[shadows4]

I replaced ours in the same way a couple of years ago. And yes it would have been much easier if I would have thought to spray the channels with some type of lubricant.

[DreiHunde]

Improvise, adapt and overcome!!! Great write-up! Thanks for sharing!

[youroo]

I have found that if you "Clean/Wash" the Groves/slots where the awning slides in on the RV wall and the Roller Tube it makes for Easier Install! Dirt and Bugs love these two areas for Home! A garden hose and bottle brush that fits the Slots makes for a Mess but easier install! After cleaning let Dry and spray a little Silicone in the slots also! Youroo!!

[bob caldwell]

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