pittsworld
Southside, AL.
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Joined: 03/08/2008
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We were camping this past week and it was suppose to rain one night. So I slightly tilted the awning down away from the door. We woke up the next morning and water still had collected in the center of the awning. So I went out to lower the awning to drain the water off. I noticed that the roll up tube had a bow in it. Is there anything that I can do the straighten the tube? It was difficult to roll up awning when we got ready to leave.
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100ton
Huntington Beach, California
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Joined: 05/08/2005
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Pittsworld,
Sorry you're having problems.
Since the tube is still somewhat operational, you might want to wait until your travels are complete before attempting any fix.
Considering that I am certainly not an expert on the matter, here's what I think I would try.
Roll the awning out until the bow is postitioned straight down. Now, place a support (2"x4") under the bow at the lowest point. Lay a straight edge across the tube to determine the extent of the bow and gauge the amount of "force" to be applied. Have someone support the vertical brace while two others pull down carefully (slowly) until an acceptable degree of pre damage condition is accomplished. Use the straight edge to gage your progress.
As I said, you might wait until you are home just in case you have total failure of the system. I know my suggested repair is marginal at best, however, since the tube is already ruined... what the heck. Or you could just "live" with it.
Let us know how you make out.
Good luck,
Robert
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TXiceman
(Near) Houston,TX
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Joined: 11/17/2000
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Take it off the trailer and try to bow it back the other way. By the way, I NEVER live the awning out at night for that reason. It is too easy to get it damaged by wind or rain.
ken
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LarryJM
NoVa
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Joined: 11/09/2007
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pittsworld wrote:We were camping this past week and it was suppose to rain one night. So I slightly tilted the awning down away from the door. We woke up the next morning and water still had collected in the center of the awning. So I went out to lower the awning to drain the water off. I noticed that the roll up tube had a bow in it. Is there anything that I can do the straighten the tube? It was difficult to roll up awning when we got ready to leave.
I think I would try something like 100ton suggested and in the future I would recommend a serious tilt towards the back. It's hard to see, but in the pic in my sig that is about the minimum tilt I would use and the awning also has to be good and tight. My awning is 21' and the back end in the pic in my signature is a good 12 to 14 inches lower than the front. If I was expecting really heavy rain I would drop that rear another foot.
Larry
2001 standard box 7.3L E-350 PSD Van with 4.10 rear and 2007 Holiday Rambler Aluma-Lite 8306S Been RV'ing since 1974. TRAILER MODS
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skipnchar
Topeka Kansas USA
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Joined: 12/17/2003
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Since you're not using the awning while you're in bed it's ALWAYS best to roll it up at night. Water collecting is not even the more serious danger in leaving it up all night. Winds can come up and remove it completely from your trailer. It's always worth a TRY to straighten the tube but not very likely to be successful (with success being defined as "working as well as it once did). Good luck / Skip
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Bucky Badger
Madison, WI
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skipnchar wrote:Since you're not using the awning while you're in bed it's ALWAYS best to roll it up at night. Water collecting is not even the more serious danger in leaving it up all night. Winds can come up and remove it completely from your trailer.
Agreed, awnings are to expensive to screw around with. Put away when not in use
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pete42
Jamestown, Ohio
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Joined: 09/21/2007
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Bobby I know you don't want to hear what we do about rolling up our awnings at night.
So I will tell you what I saw in Northern Ohio at a state park during IKE the hurricane.
An older gentleman had his awning out and was messing with his tye downs when I stopped to help, he said "I never roll it up until I'm heading home" it survived the hurricane no problem.
A couple of answers have given you good advice about straightening the awning.
Good luck
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5weekendwarriors
iowa
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Joined: 05/12/2008
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I just wish I still could drop my awning down on one side. Dang power awning!! Funny little story. When we first started camping I could not figure out why everyone had thier awnings cocked. It bugged me to no end, and I just wanted to go tell these people that thier awnings were crooked. One night it rained, and rained hard. Couldn't even open my door the next morning. No real damage was done, but once I pushed my way out it took all I had to push up and roll some of it off. Once I thought it was light enough to lower the arm, I was wrong, and it slammed the camper with such a force that I knew something had to give, but still nothing broke. I just got soaked. Anyway, moral of the story, I started to lower one side, and at night I would drop it down quite a bit. Now I'm just screwed with this electric piece of junk.
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subourbon
Huntsville, AL
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Joined: 04/14/2007
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Your dealer can order a new tube. Recommend that they install the awning to the tube and back to your camper. The spring for the roller is strong and this must be installed inside the tube.
Happy Camping
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maskins
Goldston, NC
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from my experience I just had the same thing happen except that mine broke the roller and the hardware. I upgraded to the A & E 8500 plus which has an automatic rain dump. It is basically a hydraulic piston that if too much weight is on it will automatically lower one side. I will also put it up back crooked but it nice to have that added security because accidents do happen.
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