Slide-out awning "gimp" cord came out, dealer question

Landcruiser69

New Member
Joined
Feb 21, 2024
Messages
2
Hi folks,
I have a 2022 Mini Lite with a slide-out. Where the awning is attached to the spring-loaded roller bar, I saw about 12'' of cord was sticking out on the right side, near where the roller bar attached to the metal arm that holds the roller bar. I took it to Camping World service to get them to fix it, and they did.
After I picked it up, I went camping the next day and when I pressed the button to extend the slide-out, it immediately kind of sounded like it was struggling and a second later, "BAM!" a really loud noise and of course I stopped pressing the button. I went around to the other side to see what happened, and the slide was sticking out about 5", and the roller bar on the right side (same side were the cord issue had been) had popped up and was over the slide-out (instead of resting in front of it), and the metal arm on that right side also was slightly bent. I pulled the roller bar forward where it was supposed to be. I noticed the metal arm holding the roller bar was missing a screw on one side and on the other side the same screw was broken off.
Lastly, with the help of my wife, I was able to unroll the awning roller bar by hand (slowly) while she pressed the "extend" button and we were able to finish camping that weekend. Also, when we retracted the slide-out in, it functioned fine, except the metal arm on the right was a little bent.

I took it back to Camping World and told them what happened and that I thought the mechanic must have done something wrong when he fixed the (what they called) gimp cord and asked them to repair the damage. They looked at it for a few days and then called me back and said it wasn't their fault, that them reattaching the gimp cord could not have had anything to do with the issue that occurred, and that if I wanted it fixed, I'd have to pay for it.

My question for you all is, does their position sound plausible? I know that it truly could be coincidence that the issue occurred in the same area they were working, 1 day after their repair was done, but because of exactly that, I'm wondering if anyone here knows what could have happened that might have cause the roller bar to freeze up when we went to extend the slide out?

My only guess is, if the mechanic forgot to remove the pin that keeps the spring loaded roller bar from retracting, as I believe you have to have it extended out to rethread the gimp cord back in? (And then are supposed to remove the pin so the spring tension returns)

What do you all think? I'm fine if it was just coincidence, but I obviously don't want to pay for a repair if they didn't do something right. (and if so, am looking for an explanation that I can give them as to how that could be the case)

Thanks folks!
 
Hi folks,
I have a 2022 Mini Lite with a slide-out. Where the awning is attached to the spring-loaded roller bar, I saw about 12'' of cord was sticking out on the right side, near where the roller bar attached to the metal arm that holds the roller bar. I took it to Camping World service to get them to fix it, and they did.
After I picked it up, I went camping the next day and when I pressed the button to extend the slide-out, it immediately kind of sounded like it was struggling and a second later, "BAM!" a really loud noise and of course I stopped pressing the button. I went around to the other side to see what happened, and the slide was sticking out about 5", and the roller bar on the right side (same side were the cord issue had been) had popped up and was over the slide-out (instead of resting in front of it), and the metal arm on that right side also was slightly bent. I pulled the roller bar forward where it was supposed to be. I noticed the metal arm holding the roller bar was missing a screw on one side and on the other side the same screw was broken off.
Lastly, with the help of my wife, I was able to unroll the awning roller bar by hand (slowly) while she pressed the "extend" button and we were able to finish camping that weekend. Also, when we retracted the slide-out in, it functioned fine, except the metal arm on the right was a little bent.

I took it back to Camping World and told them what happened and that I thought the mechanic must have done something wrong when he fixed the (what they called) gimp cord and asked them to repair the damage. They looked at it for a few days and then called me back and said it wasn't their fault, that them reattaching the gimp cord could not have had anything to do with the issue that occurred, and that if I wanted it fixed, I'd have to pay for it.

My question for you all is, does their position sound plausible? I know that it truly could be coincidence that the issue occurred in the same area they were working, 1 day after their repair was done, but because of exactly that, I'm wondering if anyone here knows what could have happened that might have cause the roller bar to freeze up when we went to extend the slide out?

My only guess is, if the mechanic forgot to remove the pin that keeps the spring loaded roller bar from retracting, as I believe you have to have it extended out to rethread the gimp cord back in? (And then are supposed to remove the pin so the spring tension returns)

What do you all think? I'm fine if it was just coincidence, but I obviously don't want to pay for a repair if they didn't do something right. (and if so, am looking for an explanation that I can give them as to how that could be the case)

Thanks folks!

^^This^^ or something to this effect.

Your dealer is shafting you for their lack of professionalism.
And... it is ALWAYS IMPERATIVE to verify ANY work done by the dealer BEFORE leaving the lot.

You can either pay (which I wouldn't) move on to another dealer/mobile tech or fix it yourself. I doubt you'll convince them of anything at this point.
 
Thanks for your thoughts - I’m heading over there today to discuss. I’ll post back here how they responded.
 
On my larger slide the slide topper arm was bent from the factory, Lippert.
Did basically the same thing yours did. The bang and going on top of the slide, not the cord coming out.
Enclosing a picture of my arm.
What I did notice was that after replacing the slide topper the movement of the slide in and out was quieter. It made a noise before but having never owned a camper before I thought it was normal as it was not extreme.
On mine I figured the slide going in and out the tube wobbled and the screws for the end cap came loose and also the spring broke. Have pictures of all of this.
Just posting since coincidences do happen but are rare.
Have more pictures of everything that was wrong inside the tube.
Lippert covered the topper for me but I did the reinstallation.

Rt Arm Bent.jpg
 
Update: I went in and ended up speaking with the shop manager and he was very friendly and understanding. He said he wanted to have a tech look at it again and said he’d call me later - he did and said that it did look like they had accidentally left the pin in, so he is replacing the awning and fixing the bent metal arm. Very happy they were willing to make things right.
Thanks everyone for chiming in here to assist!
 
Good to hear. I am surprised it did not rip the brackets off the slide. That is what happened to mine.
Not sure how long slide toppers last but see if you can snag the topper material. I have an extra one now for when mine deteriorates.
 

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