Pin Holes in Awning - Montana Owners Club

WinAnne · 07-14-2016, 12:07 PM

Just took our 2008 Montana 2955 out of storage for the summer and notice tiny pinholes across entire length of awning about3 to 4 inches from top near RV. They were not there when stored last fall. Otherwise, awning is in great shape. Is there product to use to seal those holes -- tape or paint on -- to extend life of awning?

It is 15', electric Dometic vinyl awning. Any help would be appreciated.

thanks!

Win

rohrmann · 07-14-2016, 02:36 PM

You might get a couple more years from your existing awning fabric by applying repair tape http://www.campingworld.com/shopping...-x-10-/54925/& but eventually it will need replacement.

WinAnne · 07-14-2016, 02:51 PM

Thanks! We'll try that! Just trying to buy time!!!

WeBeFulltime · 07-14-2016, 04:49 PM

I bought a new fabric this Spring from a place I found on eBay. It only cost $138 and was even MUCH better quality than I expected.....maybe even better than the original Dometic! Very easy install with the help of my son. Just be SURE to install a pin as instructed on the videos that are available on YouTube, The place I used was in Indiana but can't remember the name. Do a search on eBay for RV Awning Fabric. Many to choose from. The stated price included shipping and they sent it FAST.

1Happycamper · 07-15-2016, 03:39 AM

We changed our awning this year and purchased it from Sunwave products in Elkhart In. www.sunwaveproduct.com

We also had used the RV repair tape but you can only add so much before it looks unsightly.

bncinwv · 07-15-2016, 03:54 AM

Are you sure they were not present before and just were not noticed. On our awning, the fabric at the roller itself (the 4-5" you describe) appears to be joined to the main awning fabric and there have always been what appears to be pinholes (I have not gotten on a ladder to investigate) where the separate pieces join. We have not noticed any leakage as a result and figured it was just a characteristic of the Dometic awning? Guess I need to take a closer look next week when we are on our annual vacation trip.
Bingo

jcurtis934 · 07-15-2016, 05:53 AM

I think bingo has it right...the small panel at the top is the cover to protect the wning when rolled up. It is sewn to the awning, probably seeing stitch holes. You should be able to seal these with clear silicone 2 or another product. John

WinAnne · 07-15-2016, 07:14 AM

Thanks everyone for great suggestions,,,,

Kimo · 07-18-2016, 05:29 PM

We are in love with our older 2001 3280 and I noticed that the top of the awning that has been exposed to year round weather, has started to deteriorate. I used white gorilla tape and ran 4 continuous strips the length of the awning. It is holding up extremely well and no more pin holes. The rest of the awning is still in good shape.

Kimo · 07-18-2016, 05:30 PM

We are in love with our older 2001 3280 and I noticed that the top of the awning that has been exposed to year round weather, has started to deteriorate. I used white gorilla tape and ran 4 continuous strips the length of the awning. It is holding up extremely well and no more pin holes. The rest of the awning is still in good shape.

John Shasky · 09-03-2019, 09:31 AM

I have a 2014 Montana 3402 RL with the cream color exterior and black accents. Awning strips are Black as well as all the AC covers and roof vent covers. I should have realized in Southern Arizona that this would be a problem, I am considering spray painting the AC covers white and have noticed the awning deteriorating where it meets the roof. The exposed part of the awning when rolled up is BLACK, I will try some Gorilla White tape to buy more time as suggested but wonder there is a better solution. I have used Gorilla tape on a broken window this year but the heat has a tendency to shrink the tape a bit after a month or so. Possibly there is some type of liquid to paint or spray on the black stripe?

Our3231CK · 09-03-2019, 10:44 AM

You could try Flex Seal spray in white across the top, I have used it to spray on my gutters where I had leaks and it worked.

Mikendebbie · 09-03-2019, 11:35 AM

I think you will need to make up some of the "structure" in the fabric that you are loosing in those first few inches where it attaches to the sidewall. Flex seal might stop dripping leaks but will not offer any help to the fabric strength.

You mentioned gorilla tape - and I thought about eternabond or similar self adhesive tape. It might buckle on the edges and under the heat - so it would not be pretty - but you are trying to buy a few more years of service. I think a 25' roll x 4" wide white tape at my nearest RV parts store is like $55 or so (goes by another name but is the same thing as eternabond). I would be careful NOT to get the tape on your gutter - stick it to the fabric as close to the gutter as possible. I think you would need something like a short piece of wood - a 2x4 to somehow hold back-up on the underside of the awning fabric so you can press down from the top and get the tape to stick as best as you can. Maybe mount a 3' long 2x4 on top of a 10' long 2x4 (making a "T") I would ask DW to hold the back up on the 10' pole...do a small section then move down to the next piece. You could even cut the vertical leg to be just the right height so that it rested on the ground and it is easier for you to press down. The DW just has to move it down a bit and hold it still - the thing is ground supported so there is no weight on her.

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