Broken Awning on Rockwood Ultra Lite

[Popit028]

I own a 2018 Rockwood Ultralight and recently while using the electric awning retract button the one side of the awning somehow broke off . It looks The a piece on the end came loose and just dropped it. The weight of it without being secured caused it to break the wires,etc. I have no idea how it happened so fast but long story shorter I have it way up at our seasonal spot in the Adirondacks and I have to have it out of there before 10/01. I cannot for the life of me figure how to get the awning fabric off and the thought of trying to trailer it home (140 miles) using ratchet straps to secure it is not winning me over.
Does anyone have any suggestions? They would be greatly appreciated. FYI, I plan on bringing it to my local dealer where I purchased it when I do get it home to get repaired.

[007matman]

The awning is typically mounted to the side of the camper through a "C" channel rail. One side of the rail is likely pinched. Using a flathead screwdriver you should be able to pry it open. Then simply slide the awning off. It'll go a lot easier if you have several people to assist on ladders.

[cboss]

My Rockwood UltraLite also has a screw in the '"C" channel on one end that you will have to remove. It's not hard to remove the awning, but as stated above it's not a one man (or woman) job.

[007matman]

Good call on the screw. Forgot about that one. Some do and some don't.. my old one did the newer one doesn't but my newer camper is older than yours so who knows..

[cboss]

Originally Posted by 007matman

Good call on the screw. Forgot about that one. Some do and some don't.. my old one did the newer one doesn't but my newer camper is older than yours so who knows..

Yea. I had to remove that screw when the camper was brand new as the awning would not close all the way because it was installed crooked. About a 2 inch adjustment and all has been well for 2 years. (Fingers crossed).

[Larry-NC]

Originally Posted by 007matman

The awning is typically mounted to the side of the camper through a "C" channel rail. One side of the rail is likely pinched. Using a flathead screwdriver you should be able to pry it open. Then simply slide the awning off. It'll go a lot easier if you have several people to assist on ladders.

Good answer, but maybe the poster needs more detail. I've removed awnings on two trailers.

The typical way to remove the awning is to first unscrew the upper brackets at both ends.

The top hem of the awning will have a 1/8" steel pr plastic rod inside. The hem-with-rod is in the C-channel. Remove the screw in the C-channel that prevents it from sliding.

Now, you need three people. One person is on the roof, pulling the fabric along the C-channel. The other two lift the supports from their sockets at the base of the trailer and march along as the roof person pulls fabric.

Once you have the awning free of the trailer, you have fought half the battle. The awning is maybe 12 or 20 feet long and the supports are six or seven feet long and won't fold flat. So you have this great big U to deal with (in your case it's an L).

When I sold the awning from my 38' Cherokee destination trailer, the buyer came with a 20' flatbed car hauler. It overhung the flatbed by about three feet and the supports stuck out one side nearly two feet. I advised the buyer to not take the end caps off (one of yours is already off) because it would mean rewinding the spring. YouTube videos show you how to do this. It involves putting a vice-grip pliers on the shaft and drilling out the rivets on the endcap (end without the latch/motor).

What is your plan for transporting the broken awning once it's removed from the trailer?

[cboss]

Originally Posted by Larry-NC

What is your plan for transporting the broken awning once it's removed from the trailer?

Put it in the trailer if it will fit?

[Larry-NC]

Originally Posted by cboss

Put it in the trailer if it will fit?

Might be tough, even if only one leg is still attached.

Possible if the door is very far forward or back, or if there's an openable front or back window.

[cboss]

Originally Posted by Larry-NC

Might be tough, even if only one leg is still attached.

Possible if the door is very far forward or back, or if there's an openable front or back window.

Saw it in half and put it in the truck bed?

[5picker]

As mentioned, you'll need to remove the screw holding the fabric of the awning in the c-channel on the side of the R/V. There is usually only one, at one end BUT I have seen them screwed on BOTH ends.

Since you have the fabric folded up over the top of the R/V, it is covering the channel and the area where the screw is and you can't see it.



Once you remove the screw, you should be able to slide the fabric and the roller tube (with the fabric rolled on it) from the channel on the side of the R/V. You will need some help to hold it all.