Awning wiring snapped!

[MCJamieson]

We were retracting the awning in our 2021 Rockwood Signature travel trailer 8335. It began to click then SNAPPED! The wires leading from the roller to the trailer broke off. It hadn’t been windy and had no problems prior to this. We had to secure the broken awning with rubber bungee cords, stay in the far right lane and cautiously watch the mirrors for any movement. It thankfully stayed put. The rv repair wants over $3000 to replace the entire awning but hubby thinks he can do it himself. Has anyone done this before? BTW, RV Complete insurance is a COMPLETE waste of money. Our costly contract we paid dearly for when we bought the trailer says it covers mechanical awning failure, which this obviously IS, but they are refusing to cover it.

 

[lacija1203]

Easy fix?

This exact same thing just happened to us. Were you able to replace the broken lock washer and pin and reconnect wires on your own?

 

[MCJamieson]

No, we could not reconnect the wiring. They were torn from down inside the motor. The shear pin had done its jobs and sheared. So I just bought a whole new motor, which had the pin and the wiring harness. It went in very easily. You'll need a tall step ladder, a rivet gun and rivets, and a wrench. Campers Inn in Merrimack, NH, [DON'T EVER GO THERE - THEY'RE HORRIBLE] wanted $3500 to fix this. I did it for $150.00 for the motor on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BRN4XY33?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

 

[Bob K4TAX]

No, we could not reconnect the wiring. They were torn from down inside the motor. The shear pin had done its jobs and sheared. So I just bought a whole new motor, which had the pin and the wiring harness. It went in very easily. You'll need a tall step ladder, a rivet gun and rivets, and a wrench. Campers Inn in Merrimack, NH, [DON'T EVER GO THERE - THEY'RE HORRIBLE] wanted $3500 to fix this. I did it for $150.00 for the motor on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BRN4XY33?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

Thanks for posting your results. Accolades to you for doing it yourself! Plus you saved enough money to pay for a few more days camping. I always admire people that can solve issues and repair same themselves.

Bob

 

[Mokurt]

As you found out RV repairs can be costly!

Just as a reference my local Camping world charges $185 an hour and have set prices on certain maintaince items which will make your head spin!

Even another local private RV shop near me has some crazy prices.

Great that you were able to repair it yourself!

 

[Bob K4TAX]

I find it almost manditory to do most maintenance and repairs yourself. You will save a LOT of money. Most repairs are quite simple if one thinks about it, applies a bit of common sence and doesn't look at it like a pile of pasta on a plate. Every wire only has 2 ends. Every piece of plumbing only has two ends. It is only where 14 different wires are in a wad does it appear complex. Likewise for plumbing, hot on the left, cold on the right and it must run downhill to drain unless one pumps it uphill.

And best of all, manuals for each and every product are available for FREE via the internet from the manufacturer of the product site. They provide installation information, wiring and plumbing information, and troubleshooting information.

Life is good.

Bob

 

[kenandterry]

We were retracting the awning in our 2021 Rockwood Signature travel trailer 8335. BTW, RV Complete insurance is a COMPLETE waste of money. Our costly contract we paid dearly for when we bought the trailer says it covers mechanical awning failure, which this obviously IS, but they are refusing to cover it.

You mention your awning episode and go on to discuss the awning motor, yet you mention your insurance contract covers mechanical awning failure which this obviously IS. I would have thought the older style “manual crank” awnings as mechanical, and today’s motorized awnings as powered. Is that how your contract defines awnings?