mtnbbud
Oregon Willamette Valley
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I had to dismantle my awning hardware in camp when one side of the rod that tensions the spring came loose. I'm trying to decide how to proceed now that I'm back home. The top of the awning that houses the springs ended up getting damaged as I wasn't thinking clearly and was on a tight timeline. The extension arms have seen better days, but probably could be reused if I purchased new awning lift handles. I paid $3400 for the 18 foot trailer 10+ years ago and have kept everything working as things have worn out.
I'm not sure it's worth the $750 to replace the awning hardware, but it is nice having an awning. Does anyone know of a good source for awning hardware? Have any of you came up with a different solution that you are happy with? I'm thinking I might just go without an awning as there are lots of times I don't extend it anyway.
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JBarca
Radnor, Ohio, USA
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Hi,
Please tell us the make and model of your awning. There are lots of awning makes and models within the make.
Pictures also help explain your damage and what parts may still be available.
I restore older campers and deal with 20 to 25-year-old awnings frequently, mainly the A&E brand by Dometic. Some parts are available, but Dometic is starting to discontinue some of them.
Again, posting pictures of the awning hardware helps. The Dometic A & E Sunchaser series kept changing the end caps on the roller tube and then the mount to the awning arm, often until they got it right, I think. Pic's help us hone in on what vintage you have.
I hope this helps,
John
John & Cindy
2005 Ford F350 Super Duty, 4x4; 6.8L V10 with 4.10
CC, SB, Lariat & FX4 package
21,000 GCWR, 11,000 GVWR
Ford Tow Command
1,700# Reese HP hitch & HP Dual Cam
2 1/2" Towbeast Receiver
2004 Sunline Solaris T310SR
(I wish we were camping!)
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mtnbbud
Oregon Willamette Valley
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Thanks. I'll try to get pictures soon. I don't have the ability to store the trailer at my house, so it may be a few days before I get back to my trailer to take pictures. I do believe it is a Dometic. The whole roller tube with end caps assembly will need to be replaced. I kept the arms, but didn't realize I could reuse the outer roller tube. (I probably could have reused the spring also...)
When I got home, I figured out that the problem started with the lift handle. The pin thats supposed to slide up from the handle wasn't lifting out of the retention hole. When I was trying to get the lift arms to slide, the rod holding the spring tension somehow broke free and released all the tension from the spring. I was thinking I'd just replace all the hardware, but I didn't realize how much it was going to cost me.
It's a 1989 18 foot Terry Resort manufactured by Fleetwood if that helps.
I did find another brand that is currently quite a bit less money. Does anyone know anything about Aleko? It's quite a bit less money than any other brand I have found online.
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enblethen
Moses Lake, WA
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Make and model is often marked on arm near the bottom.
NWrvsupply.com has many parts located in Eugene.
Could be Carefree or Dometic
Bud
USAF Retired
Pace Arrow
2003 Chev Ice Road Tracker
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JBarca
Radnor, Ohio, USA
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mtnbbud wrote:Thanks. I'll try to get pictures soon. I don't have the ability to store the trailer at my house, so it may be a few days before I get back to my trailer to take pictures. I do believe it is a Dometic. The whole roller tube with end caps assembly will need to be replaced. I kept the arms, but didn't realize I could reuse the outer roller tube. (I probably could have reused the spring also...)
When I got home, I figured out that the problem started with the lift handle. The pin thats supposed to slide up from the handle wasn't lifting out of the retention hole. When I was trying to get the lift arms to slide, the rod holding the spring tension somehow broke free and released all the tension from the spring. I was thinking I'd just replace all the hardware, but I didn't realize how much it was going to cost me.
It's a 1989 18 foot Terry Resort manufactured by Fleetwood if that helps.
I did find another brand that is currently quite a bit less money. Does anyone know anything about Aleko? It's much less money than any other brand I have found online.
The roller tube, as long as it is not bent, the tube itself can still be used. They are expensive tubes. The last tube I bought for a 19' awing was $362.42, delivered from Dometic on 4/17/19. (Pre-Covid)
The springs and some end caps may be available if the tube is still good. Again, assuming it is a Dometic.
Let's see what you have and we can help better.
John
I have not heard of Aleko, can't help on that brand.
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mtnbbud
Oregon Willamette Valley
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Thanks all. The sticker on the sides of the arms say: Universal Satin Hardware for A&E 9000, 8500, and 8000 FRTA.
I think that would indicate an A&E Dometic Sunchaser? One site I looked at said the torsion arms discontinued?
* This post was
edited 10/02/23 05:31pm by mtnbbud *
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enblethen
Moses Lake, WA
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Look at this assembly to see if that is what you have.
Dometic 8500
8500 parts breakdown
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mtnbbud
Oregon Willamette Valley
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Thanks! I'm pretty sure that's it.
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JBarca
Radnor, Ohio, USA
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mtnbbud wrote:
Thanks! I'm pretty sure that's it.
Heads up, A&E was into changing the design of the ends caps and the shaft during the approximate time your camper was built. Make sure the end cap and the shaft are the same exact style your awning has. The newer end caps and shaft will not mount on the prior vintage arms.
Also, the front and rear end caps on the tube are not the same part, one has the latch and the other does not.
The end of the awing tube is where the Sunchaser part numbers are for the awning, not on the awning arms. You have to have the awning unrolled to see the model sticker.
Posting pics of what you have really helps.
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Dusty R
Charlotte Michigan 48813
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Joined: 04/05/2003
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I don't remember when but we once bought a new mh and we felt that the awing was too short, so we bought a longer one, with tube. We still have the original, I could easily part with it.
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