Caught the awning frame on low-hanging limb

[faithie999]

Yesterday we were on the road in search of a McDonalds. The one we stopped at was in a small town, and no place in the lot to park with the 19' Surveyor. so I found a quiet side street and had to back up to parallel park. I knew there was a tree overhanging the street but I didn't see the low limb as it was hidden by leaves. the rolled-up awning snagged on the limb, and before I realized it I had bent the frame about 6-7" toward the front as I was backing up.

I will leave it rolled up until we get home. then I was considering tying off a come-along to a tree and trying to pull it back into shape. fortunately the motor is on the front end of the awning so no damage to it, and also fortunately the awning took the abuse and the top corner of the trailer was not involved.

should I try this, or just take it to the dealer?

thanks

Ken

[Reverse_snowbird]

Take it to the dealer.

Sorry that happened, but you can do more damage if you try to straighten it yourself. You're probably going to have to replace the awning. Once you bend metal it's almost impossible to get it straight again.

[5picker]

Always worth a try but you'll likely have some loose attachment bolts that will need addressed and/or sealed. Bent things rarely come back straight just by pulling on them the opposite direction but (without seeing it) I'd probably try it if it were mine.

A dealer also likely won't try to straighten, they'll want to sell you a new one to lower their liability of something going amiss.

Let us know how it works out. Photos are helpful.

[faithie999]

thanks for the quick reply. there appears to be one attachment bolt with some play in it on both the front and rear supports. best I can tell the bolts are still firmly attached to the frame in the side wall and the play is coming from the hole in the awning frame being enlarged. when I can open the awning so as to access the mounting bolts I think I can address that with an oversized washer under the bolt head.

I am aware that a piece of metal that has been deformed won't perfectly return to shape by pulling in the opposite direction ("plastic deformation") but if the awning will open properly, and I get the frame securely reattached, it will be "good enough for me".

otherwise this will have been a $2,000 Sausage McMuffin.

[BDenn]

If it was my bent arms I would remove them to straighten. You can do a lot with C clamps and wood. A auto body repair shop should be able to do a good job. Removing them will keep anchor bolts tight and secure. You might be able just to buy arms.

[SailorSam20500]

I would also try straightening the bent metal. Need to see it to decide if it is better done on or off.
Worst case, if you need to replace, I would check some of the use RV parts places in northern Indiana, they may have a pair of straight arms....

[Sunspot]

Originally Posted by BDenn

If it was my bent arms I would remove them to straighten. You can do a lot with C clamps and wood. A auto body repair shop should be able to do a good job. Removing them will keep anchor bolts tight and secure. You might be able just to buy arms.

Several years ago I had to replace one on my TT. Straightening was my first thought but mine was too badly damaged.

You can buy the arms separately. They have a model number on them that is different than the one on the roller. The best price came from Tweetys.

I changed it myself without any problems with some help from neighbors.

[Bob K4TAX]

Originally Posted by BDenn

If it was my bent arms I would remove them to straighten. You can do a lot with C clamps and wood. A auto body repair shop should be able to do a good job. Removing them will keep anchor bolts tight and secure. You might be able just to buy arms.

Very good approach. Some C clamps and some old Oak or Hickory make wonderful blocks to exert a lot of pressure.

For some years I made rocking chair parts by using steam-bent Oak and Hickory. Yes, I had my own steam boiler and did my own bending along with making the necessary jigs.

Bob

[faithie999]

I hate it when someone posts a question then never updates the thread when the problem is resolved. I plead guilty to that!

I took the camper to a nearby mom-and-pop RV dealer. the service manager was very helpful and gave me some advice on how to pull the awning back into position. unfortunately the arms were too bent (they twisted around their axis) to remedy.

I took it back and they replaced the arms. the awning itself and the motor wasn't damaged. I feel the repair cost was very reasonable.

Ken

[GolfingDave]

Thanks for letting us know the outcome.
If happy with the dealer give them a shout out on the Dealers Review section. They end up showing on internet searches after a bit.

[jjscsix]

Thanks for the update. That is very good news.

[Aussieguy]

Good you got yours replaced...

BUT anyone in similar position that has read this thread.


once you bend metal it will be prone to more easily bend again in wind or other loads
the tree bending it.... will stretch or worse CREASE the metal

a good welding shop (or panel shop)
if bend is quite pronounced will use heat
to relive internal stresses and to help shrink the metal back to a natural position.

maybe weld on some gussets or other method to add support to the bent area.



beware of a shop that simply bends it to shape
unless it is an extremely small bend that is required.
in which case it would be DIY