Awning Issues

[76er]

Hello all, have 2005 25ft. Keystone Sedgbrook. Last weekend we went to pull awning out and when pulled the arm out to extend up the whole bracket pilled out of the side of the trailer screws and all, this is at the rear of the trailer. The guy i bought it from said the wind pulled it out once but he fixed it but apparently all he did was stick it back in question is does this screw into a wood structure or what. Should i just buy a couple new lag bolts a size over and attempt to screw it back in or is there some kind of threaded sleeve insert? Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[Pife]

I'd use toggle bolts.

[chuckster57]

Welcome to the forum

I wouldn’t use toggle bolts. We use wood “shims” like bamboo skewers or dowels. You can put the shim in as far as it will go, back out 1/2” and cut it. Then fill the hole with a sealant like pro seal or even silicone. Put the screw back in and tighten being careful not to over tighten.

The two lag bolts at the top of the arm definitely need the holes filled and sealed.

[Firefighter1406]

Good idea on the dowels. Not a bad idea on the large lags either the only issue is the walls are most likely 2x2’s and at that age and the traits of 2x2’s it will probably crack more and not hold tight. Only other thing is to drill all the way through and use a good sealant and put a washer and nit on the back side. I am facing the same problem with my grab handle on the way in. Previous owner pulled out the bottom holes and moved them over a bit and those are now loose. Thinking about going all the way through. I might try the wooden dowels.

Thanks chuckster57.

[JRTJH]

If I were "planning to go all the way through the trailer wall with bolts, I'd drill the hole, use carriage bolts with the "rounded head on the inside of the trailer" and install washers and nylocks on the outside, then grind the bolts off so they are even with the base of the nylock, inside the awning "C arm".

That would provide the "smoothest surface" on the inside of the trailer. A "raw bolt with threads" or a "nut/washer/bolt" on the interior wall will always be a "skin cutter" for anyone coming close to that area, and inside any RV, there's "close quarters" that make it even a more frequent potential to get a scrape/cut from something hanging out of the wall.....