Power awning material

[lfw]

My awning is starting to show it's age... Has anyone replaced the awning material themselves?? Or is it best to call a professional who does this??

Thanks
Lfw

[Lenny K]

check out this site http://toughtopawnings.com/how-to-re...ng-fabric.html

[Drifty1]

We just had ours replaced in Quartzsite by Shade Pro. I let them replace it and the brake assembly in the roll as that had failed causing it to unroll. Since they come right to my trailer I let them do it.

[Rob Walters]

I replaced the material on my main awning and all 4 slide toppers this last summer. I did the main awning mostly by myself and enlisted the aid of DW when I required more than 2 hands. It took the better part of one Saturday afternoon. My brother and I replaced the material on the slide toppers in one day. If you are mechanically inclined and can read directions, you shouldn't have any difficulty. However, if you are not so inclined, I would highly recommend a professional. Accidentally releasing the extremely high tension on any of the springs enclosed inside the awning tubes can cause serious injuries and damage to your equipment. After that it becomes extremely difficult to finish the job with a large screwdriver sticking out of your forehead or one, or more, fingers missing.
I bought the awning material from a company online. I don't remember the name of the company, but I do remember responding to a similar thread over the last few months in which I did mention the name of the company. I don't think the it cost me $500 for all of it and I'm pleased with the quality of the product.
If you live close to Grandview, Texas I'd be happy to give you a hand.

[lfw]

Rob... Where did you get the instruction on how to replace the material on a power awning??? I have only see them on manual awning instructions... I do pretty good on most projects.. My wife calls me a MacGyver.. And I have a son that is probably better than I am..

Thanks
Lfw

[Rob Walters]

I got the instructions from Dometic when I went to one of their schools for technicians. I'm pretty sure Dometic would email them to you if you called them. Make sure you have your model number when you call. They are very helpful.

[lfw]

Thanks Rob. Will give them a call

Lfw

[psomers]

quote:Originally posted by Rob Walters

I got the instructions from Dometic when I went to one of their schools for technicians. I'm pretty sure Dometic would email them to you if you called them. Make sure you have your model number when you call. They are very helpful.

Just a week ago I needed the turns for the spring. I went to Dometic's web site and asked the question. The next day I had a PDF file from Dometic (Carol). It includes spring turns, how to replace motor, replacing fabric and everything for maintaining a Dometic 9100 power awning.

[lfw]

Rob.. Thanks for the info.. In the PDF it shows a crank to unwind the spring.. Did you us a crank?? Is so where did you find one of those???

Lfw

[Art-n-Marge]

For awning fabric I hear there's vinyl or acrylic. Acrylic is supposed to be more durable, and of course pricier. My vinyl awning is bad enough that I don't even extend it anymore. I hope to eventually replace it with an acrylic awning with an aluminum cover that forms around it when it's retracted. I understand that clever aluminum cover really extends the life of an awning but cannot be added after you replace the cover. I believe the cover attaches to the awning rail at the rig, then rolls around the awning when it gets retracted and protects the majority of the awnings from the elements, especially the sun. Of course adding the cover increases the price, too.

[psomers]

quote:Originally posted by lfw

Rob.. Thanks for the info.. In the PDF it shows a crank to unwind the spring.. Did you us a crank?? Is so where did you find one of those???

Lfw

I guess this was addressed to me. I used a pair of vice grips. Worked fine. If you will only lower the awning about two feet from RV the spring wont have to be wound quite as tight. Once wound up insert a cotter pin or something to lock it wound up.