9ft white pole what is it for?

[Iwritecode]

Originally Posted by Campervic

Your Exactly right.!! And yes I did just get intouch with the manufacturer and there researching and asked for my Vin number. So hopefully I'll get an answer! Thanks for your help!

Who was right?

[rfifer]

We had a 2014 277HW for several years, and I agree with the earlier suggestion that it was left in error. The awning poles were attached to the awning when you unzipped the bag. All of the key poles for the dinette and each bed extension were fastened inside the trailer. When it came time to go home, we used an old wooden flagpole with a rounded head to tuck the canvas in. The tip of your pole would run the risk of tearing the fabric. So, I can't really see any purpose for that particular pole. Its design looks like it would be suitable for a tarp which makes me believe that someone put included the pole in error.


Bob

[Mr. Dan]

Originally Posted by Campervic

Nope theirs no area for that! Thanks for your suggestions!

It would be really helpful if you would use the Quote function so we'd have an idea to whom you are responding.

[Campervic]

Hello all, I posted a little while about the white pole I have and didn't know what its for. Well i wrote Forest River and after 70 emails (yes 70) they are trying to say its the support post for the awning. But this is what irritates the he'll out of me. They didn't know what it was and the product manager sets up any awning on 277 hw rockwood. They took pictures and sent them to me but when I blown the picture up, it's a completely different suport pole which looks like a Heavier made Pole and looks just like it should fit in the frame design. Not a little thine pole that fits loesy in the frame.They couldn't answer me why the pole different? Look its not the cost of a stupid support pole but when you spend 35,000.00 on a popup, you want to get what you pay for!

[Campervic]

If anyone having a Thule Sweden awning let me know if you have the center pole like the first two pictures or the thiner pole. If you have a thiner pole its the wrong one. Frustrating!!

[jimmoore13]

A thought comes to mind, but not much of one.

MOST bag awnings come with two sets of poles attached to the aluminum end frame of the awining.

Pole #1 (pair) goes to the ground or attaches to some sort of clip on the side of the tub. These are the main support poles. (Tip, don't use the clips on the side of the tub...the job is too demanding. Run these poles vertically, stake them down-D-ring straps-, and use guy ropes at 40 degree angles from the top of the pole to the ground. This will help keep the awning safe if there is a sudden wind.)

Pole #2 (pair) is a "rafter" that goes between the aluminum end frame and a "socket" of some sort at the roofline...where the awning meets the roof. This rafter pole is typically a slide-to-extend, twist-to-lock at the chosen length, and it is usually used to make the awning taught.

What FR seems to have said is that your pole MIGHT be a mid-span support to help prevent sag at the center of the awning. Were this to be true, it's actually a bad idea. The poles listed above both keep the awning taught and support it. In the event of rain, one MUST shorten one of pole #1 to the ground in order to pitch the awining so it drains. A mid-span pole might allow a belly on the upper side of the fabric that could collect a lot of water and not drain properly. This weight could overstress the fabric and frame members.

Since that pole is not structural, I wouldn't use it for that purpose.

ALSO, since FR was unresponsive and seemed to be uncertain about the pole's purpose, I urge you to contact the awning manufacturer...and ask them. Also refer to the awning owner's manual (in the bundle of papers you got with the rig), but given that these manuals can often be somewhat generic, I'd definitely consult with the awning manufacturer. Be sure to get both the model number and serial numer (if available). There should be some sort of "data plate" somewhere on the awning frame. They will have a definitive answer...at least about their awning.

[flyerdp]

If you have successfully used the camper to no ill effect without the pole installed then perhaps its time to celebrate the "Free", unnecessary pole you received with your purchase?

I am not an expert on awnings but the only time I have seen middle poles is on the "crank open" style awnings or custom ones not thule/dometic.

If you are supposed to have an awning pole then you will see a place to attach a pole to your existing awning framework. Not all have them. I have the 14ft awning (13ish) one for my 2018 HW 276 and there is no middle pole and it works just fine.

Perhaps it was mistakenly placed in the camper either by accident or intended to drive you mad?

[Sunspot]

It's for roasting a hotdog on your neighbor's fire without trespassing.

[JWood422]

Originally Posted by Sunspot

It's for roasting a hotdog on your neighbor's fire without trespassing.

Best answer. Go with it. (Just post videos the next day.)

[Fishing_Bearcat]

I have a 2022 HW296 with the same dometic awning and had the exact same issue with figuring out what the pole was for. Didn’t build a lot of confidence when the dealer didn’t know either. But yes, as you have discovered it is a center support pole for the awning and I can tell you from experience that it definitely helps with channeling water away from the center of the awning during downpours. Recently I also found that it comes in very handy when trying to setup/takedown the awning by myself. The springs in the pole allow for some flexion and provide some support while hooking in the forward and aft support poles. It’s definitely a modification done by the camper manufacturers and not dometic because I could not find any information from them when I initially got my camper. Glad you figured it out its use.

[sticcino]

Interesting, I have the same thing as well in mine and my dealer said it was just extra. I wonder if it is some remnant due to these having a different awning by default - maybe something that works with the Dometic awning that the online manuals indicate rather than the Thule that (at least mine) some came with.

[Campervic]

Hello, after 126 emails back and forth I finally spoke to project manager of Forest River. He was very helpful and the end result is that it used for tension rod when the outside legs are connected back to the trailer and used in the center from the roller back to the trailer. If the outside legs are set to the ground, the that pole is a center support leg. Nobody could tell me that except him!! That for all the Suggestions..