Lippert Solera Awnings

[Pmarx]

I have seen a few posts about how bad Solera awnings seem to be. I am just trying to get a consensus on how many of you have had them collapse. This happened to ours only about 4 months after we purchased our rig(see photo). Our neighbors even couldn’t believe such a light rain caused it to break. We have two awnings and I have noticed that these joints seem very thin and they are corroded. Ours broke during a light rain with no wind. Of course, Lippert denies any warranty claim saying it was weather related. They say awnings are for shade only. The ironic thing is if you read the advertisement for these awnings, they say “Rain Dump” feature. Even the operating manual for the awning cautions to be careful because the awning may automatically release water during rain. Just curious how many others have come across this.

 

[NCWanderers]

We just bought a 3010DS with that type of awning.... So far no issues. But I will make sure to retract it if there is a threat of rain.

 

[DJ252]

We've been in light rain, with the rain dump deployed, with no issues but I agree, they sure seem flimsy, especially for a big one. Ours is 21' and if I feel anything like gusty winds coming, I bring it in, almost to closed and never leave, with it open at all.

I haven't noticed any corrosion but I stay up on lubing everything, every few months.

 

[Aussieguy]

you could always add some poles (legs) and some tiedown straps
there are also support sections available so it won't fill with water

sometimes I feel they only sold/supplied HALF the awing
only takes a few moments out of busy camper schedule to add supports and poles especially if you staying for more than a couple of days

 

[Kholder]

I believe I have the same awning on my 2023 3010ds sunseeker. I’ve been in heavy rain and never had an issue other than it draining in front on the rv door.

With the awning maybe 2-3 feet deployed I do tilt the awning slightly to drain the rain water to one of the outside corners away from the rig. I use a clamp attached to the awning frame and arm to make sure it stays tilted in the rain.

Like Aussieguy mentioned. For longer stays I use a pole at each outside end to stabilize it, 5gal buckets filled with H2O and straps to tilt it down. This also keeps modest wind from impacting the awning. It’s also easy to remove and stow it when I’m away adventuring.

Hope this helps.

 

[G37x]

I have a 2021 Flagstaff with the Solera awnings two 12 footers never had an issue yet.

 

[Bob K4TAX]

Our practice is to fully retract the awning if we leave the site for hiking or shopping, etc. Also, retract the awning before turning in for the evening. And of course, we consider high winds as a need to retract the awning. I've seen more than one flipped on top of the RV and more than one with broken arms and more than one with ripped material. Prudence is important.

Bob

 

[Willhound]

Our Solera has been pretty bullet proof (knock wood). We spent all but 3 nights at the campground last summer from May 1 to Oct 31 and the awning was rarely retracted. I have an outdoor bar/sink/beer fridge/ice maker set up outside on the deck and keep the awning extended to keep it covered from sun and rain. I always pull the arm furthest from the door down into a pretty good angle and the rain runs off. The water dump feature did kick in once where the arm had straightened out in the wind and the water built up on the awning. It did shake the trailer a bit, but no harm done. If a high wind is expected or wakes me up at night I'll bring it in part way. I do lubricate the track, rollers and hinge points a couple times a year with silicone spray.

 

[Bfstrysik]

Our Solera awning on a 2024 Surveyor Legend has been "OK", well kind of. Where we have been staying for the past couple of months in Rockport TX, has a lot of wind. Have not been able to have it out much. Worried that it is going to get destroyed. A week or so ago, after it had been out for an afternoon, the wind picked up and I decided to put it in. One side would not go in all the way. I messed with it over the next couple of days and finally had to leave it open a bout 6 inches or so and push each side in and back and forth to get it to close correctly. I will keep an eye on it. Sigh. If I remember correctly our last tt (Jayco) had an awning that we could pull one side or the other down so the rain water would drain off. Not sure if this one offers that feature. Have not used it that much to find out.

 

[Aussieguy]

mine gets retracted at night and if we leave the site

I been too poor to buy some poles and ropes
any one wishing to donate to Aussies gofund me? (let me know how to setup a go fundme)

getting back on track
I did see some interesting supports they use in Aussieland to stop wind flapping and rain pulling down the roof
The aussies like to use semi permanent sunrooms (annex) so poles and supports are readily available

Solara supports -----> Solera 8' Awnbrella Fabric Support Kit, 3 Bows


Aussie annex anti flapp and supports --->

 

[NCWanderers]

I believe I have the same awning on my 2023 3010ds sunseeker. I’ve been in heavy rain and never had an issue other than it draining in front on the rv door.

With the awning maybe 2-3 feet deployed I do tilt the awning slightly to drain the rain water to one of the outside corners away from the rig. I use a clamp attached to the awning frame and arm to make sure it stays tilted in the rain.

Like Aussieguy mentioned. For longer stays I use a pole at each outside end to stabilize it, 5gal buckets filled with H2O and straps to tilt it down. This also keeps modest wind from impacting the awning. It’s also easy to remove and stow it when I’m away adventuring.

Hope this helps.

How do you tilt the awning when it is only deployed 2 or 3 feet??? I can't get mine to do that.....

 

[Kholder]

Hey Aussieguy, post your bank account info and (wink wink) I’ll send you some funds to support you RV awning habit. It’ll be US dollar as opposed to down under dollars. lol

NCW…My awning tilts even when open a couple of feet. My TT when I had it didn’t tilt. I also feel comfortable with my awning out a couple of feet overnight or when adventuring. Not so comfortable with it open fully without fully securing it to the ground with straps and poles. With my sunroom attached it’s even more attached to the ground.

 

[NCWanderers]

Hey Aussieguy, post your bank account info and (wink wink) I’ll send you some funds to support you RV awning habit. It’ll be US dollar as opposed to down under dollars. lol

NCW…My awning tilts even when open a couple of feet. My TT when I had it didn’t tilt. I also feel comfortable with my awning out a couple of feet overnight or when adventuring. Not so comfortable with it open fully without fully securing it to the ground with straps and poles. With my sunroom attached it’s even more attached to the ground.

Weird. Mine only tilts if it is full out. My 3010DS is a 2017. I guess they make changes as they see the need to!

 

[Pmarx]

All,
Thanks for the replies. My main point of the post is Lippert will not warranty the awning for anything that is considered “weather related “. They say the awning is shade only. This was a light rain with NO WIND. As I walked out the door to take a look and get ready to retract it, the arm broke.
We always try to keep our awning most of the way in unless it is a sunny, low wind day. We have lost 2 awnings over the past 20+ years due to “out of the blue” storms. As far as tie downs, I don’t trust them. On one awning, I had 3 of the screw in anchors with ratchet straps. A huge storm came out of nowhere with no warning. At that point, there is no way to unhook them and roll the awning in. All 3 anchors ripped out of the ground. My wife and I tried to hold it, but no way. Just beware

 

[Rwriley]

I have seen a few posts about how bad Solera awnings seem to be. I am just trying to get a consensus on how many of you have had them collapse. This happened to ours only about 4 months after we purchased our rig(see photo). Our neighbors even couldn’t believe such a light rain caused it to break. We have two awnings and I have noticed that these joints seem very thin and they are corroded. Ours broke during a light rain with no wind. Of course, Lippert denies any warranty claim saying it was weather related. They say awnings are for shade only. The ironic thing is if you read the advertisement for these awnings, they say “Rain Dump” feature. Even the operating manual for the awning cautions to be careful because the awning may automatically release water during rain. Just curious how many others have come across this.

Not sure if it's related or not, but my Awning got recalled. Might be worth checking with your dealer.

 

[dedobias]

I have seen a few posts about how bad Solera awnings seem to be. I am just trying to get a consensus on how many of you have had them collapse. This happened to ours only about 4 months after we purchased our rig(see photo). Our neighbors even couldn’t believe such a light rain caused it to break. We have two awnings and I have noticed that these joints seem very thin and they are corroded. Ours broke during a light rain with no wind. Of course, Lippert denies any warranty claim saying it was weather related. They say awnings are for shade only. The ironic thing is if you read the advertisement for these awnings, they say “Rain Dump” feature. Even the operating manual for the awning cautions to be careful because the awning may automatically release water during rain. Just curious how many others have come across this.

They tell you no tie downs or poles. You did, no warranty. The website tells you how tilt it for drainage, you didn't. No warranty. You say no wind, rain always has wind with it. You didn't take it in because you had tie Downs. No warrranty.

 

[dedobias]

They tell you no tie downs or poles. You did, no warranty. The website tells you how tilt it for drainage, you didn't. No warranty. You say no wind, rain always has wind with it. You didn't take it in because you had tie Downs. No warrranty.

I've had one for 4 years, ALWAYS TAKE IT IN. Never had an issue

 

[bowler]

Solera arms have an adjustable arm for the pitch, simply pull down on one end. Either end is ok and not necessary to push back up to retract. I still don’t go away without keeping an eye on it, but it keeps you out during a light rain.

 

[rjrota]

I have seen a few posts about how bad Solera awnings seem to be. I am just trying to get a consensus on how many of you have had them collapse. This happened to ours only about 4 months after we purchased our rig(see photo). Our neighbors even couldn’t believe such a light rain caused it to break. We have two awnings and I have noticed that these joints seem very thin and they are corroded. Ours broke during a light rain with no wind. Of course, Lippert denies any warranty claim saying it was weather related. They say awnings are for shade only. The ironic thing is if you read the advertisement for these awnings, they say “Rain Dump” feature. Even the operating manual for the awning cautions to be careful because the awning may automatically release water during rain. Just curious how many others have come across this.

WE have a 2022 Rockwood. Awnings are holding up fine, however, the hardware on one side was very tight, and would not let the arms move. I loosened them up and no more stiff arm. Everything flexes like it should. Threat of rain or heavy wind and the awnings are retracted. I also tie them down when deployed so they do not blow away.

 

[Rob0702]

I have seen a few posts about how bad Solera awnings seem to be. I am just trying to get a consensus on how many of you have had them collapse. This happened to ours only about 4 months after we purchased our rig(see photo). Our neighbors even couldn’t believe such a light rain caused it to break. We have two awnings and I have noticed that these joints seem very thin and they are corroded. Ours broke during a light rain with no wind. Of course, Lippert denies any warranty claim saying it was weather related. They say awnings are for shade only. The ironic thing is if you read the advertisement for these awnings, they say “Rain Dump” feature. Even the operating manual for the awning cautions to be careful because the awning may automatically release water during rain. Just curious how many others have come across this.

Of course Lippert is going to deny the claim by saying an awning is for shade only. Yet they build a "water dump" feature into the awning where you drop one side slightly for water runoff. They advertise one thing, and say another. It's a "caveat emptor" catch 22. Buyer beware. So much for depending on the warranty. It seems like you contacted customer service already. I would do some research and try to email or write someone higher up for some resolution. Some companies will try to work toward customer satisfaction. And sometimes, the squeaky wheel gets the grease.