Awning broke due to rain.

Kwaidonjin · 06-30-2021, 09:34 AM

Wife put the awning out during rain and this happened. The armed snapped at the pivot. Everything else undamaged. Is this something that can be fixed (can't find the replacement part name, Solera awning) by me? Or is it too difficult? Thank you. Really ruined our trip. Thinking about giving up camping.

**chuckster57** · 06-30-2021, 10:33 AM

Unfortunately you will have to replace the whole arm. Solera is made by Lippert so I would start there.

Sarge2 · 06-30-2021, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kwaidonjin

Wife put the awning out during rain and this Really ruined our trip. Thinking about giving up camping.

I understand it was a bummer but give up camping? Stuff happens but you sometimes have to roll with the punches... I'm sure that if you took the photo of the part you need, a good RV store or supplier will be able to hook you up..
Hang in there... this too shall pass...

hxckidd · 06-30-2021, 10:42 AM

have to find the right one , but a quick search pulls up that etrailer.com has parts to fix.

https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories...RoC4rUQAvD_BwE

Sarge2 · 06-30-2021, 10:46 AM

[QUOTE=hxckidd;456759]have to find the right one , but a quick search pulls up that etrailer.com has parts to fix.

They are a great company to deal with and will get you the part pretty fast... looks to be a simple bolt on part.. so shouldn't be too difficult to repair.. While your looking at it, I'd check the other side too make sure there isn't any cracks or suspicious areas on that side too. JMHO

notanlines · 06-30-2021, 10:58 AM

Man, if your wife hit the curb with yournew truck would you divorce her or maybe sell the truck? Just suck it up and buy a new one. And how did that ruin your trip?

**sourdough** · 06-30-2021, 11:49 AM

Giving up camping?? Over that?

That's going to be a replaceable part....and not that difficult to dyi. Slap a new piece on there and go on about it - it won't be the last time I promise.

Also need to know when, where and how to deploy the awning or things like that will happen. They are in reality pretty frail in the right circumstances. Good luck getting it repaired quickly and back on the road.

FlyingAroundRV · 06-30-2021, 11:54 AM

After you've calmed down a bit and fixed this, remember to adjust the arms of the awning so that one side is lower than the other when it's out. It doesn't have to be much, just enough that the rain will run off to the side rather than pool in the middle.
IMPORTANT: Remember to release the arm locks when you roll the awning back in or you'll be back here again.

Kwaidonjin · 06-30-2021, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuckster57

Unfortunately you will have to replace the whole arm. Solera is made by Lippert so I would start there.

You mean the guts with the shock thing on it? Or the whole side that attached to the fabric?

NH_Bulldog · 06-30-2021, 02:36 PM

A trip to the hardware store, $10 or less plus about 15-20 minutes of labor and that can be fixed. Just be happy the weakest link broke and it didn’t tear off the side of your camper

**chuckster57** · 06-30-2021, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kwaidonjin

You mean the guts with the shock thing on it? Or the whole side that attached to the fabric?

We have always had to order the complete arm.

**sourdough** · 06-30-2021, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kwaidonjin

You mean the guts with the shock thing on it? Or the whole side that attached to the fabric?

Did you look at etrailer to see what they offered? Example;

https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories...CABEgLPX_D_BwE

wiredgeorge · 06-30-2021, 03:54 PM

For the OP... suggest you put a signature together with your camper's year, make and model plus the same for your tow vehicle; it will give questions and help more context.

Weldon · 06-30-2021, 04:03 PM

Camping with a TT or 5er is not a purchase, relax, and forget about it kind of lifestyle. You will have setbacks and needed repairs. This is the easiest time in history to learn repair work. Just YouTube it...im sure there are 20 videos with someone doing whatever you need to do. You can definitely pay someone to do it for you, but at this time of the year, you're likely to be on a 4+ week waiting list, even to change a lightbulb. Grab the parts, your phone, a toolbox, and a cold one and repair it. You will feel better after you complete it yourself. If you run into issues, these guys on this forum are great. If you don't want to do any repairwork yourself, or wait for it to be repaired by someone else, camping may not be your thing. But, at least you gave it a shot. I hope you stick with it though. I love camping with my family, and take the "dad, you better come see this" moments in stride.

LnS · 06-30-2021, 04:55 PM

Remember to pull your awning in whenever you leave or during sleep time
Tilting the awning will help it shed water, not deploying it eliminates the possibility.
Just suggestions, keep on camping

Ken / Claudia · 07-01-2021, 05:50 AM

Well I don't know if that repair is above your skill level. But, I have found many years ago most RV repair only takes basic skills and tools. If your thinking of giving up RVing due to that arm breaking, maybe you should. RVing comes with problems and unless your willing to fix them at remote camping areas. Waiting for a service guy to fix what you broke will make a 50 cent repair hundreds of dollars.
Just me, when I had my 1st flat tire on my car. I did not think about giving up driving. I learned how to put the spare on. It's ok to pay others to fix stuff, many do that. Rving is about freedom to roam, see new places but they will never be as well built and trouble free as your pickup or car. They require lots of maintenance and sometimes repair to work correctly. Start learning those skills ask questions about how to fix it, not can I do it. The You-tube is a place to help along with this site. Even the service manager at your dealership will likely give advice if you ask.

Kwaidonjin · 07-01-2021, 11:14 AM

Thank you everyone for talking me of the cliff. I contacted Lippert and they were very helpful looks like it's only going to be an $80 dollar fix. Support arm assembly. My wife was piling on about how much work it is and a condo would be better. I would rather camp....

ChuckS · 07-01-2021, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kwaidonjin

Thank you everyone for talking me of the cliff. I contacted Lippert and they were very helpful looks like it's only going to be an $80 dollar fix. Support arm assembly. My wife was piling on about how much work it is and a condo would be better. I would rather camp....

You couldn't get me near any condo or any other high rise building.. RVing is a learning experience... the repair is not too bad and you wont make that mistake again..

With our awning.. which we rarely extend the standing rule is.. retracted at nighttime and when we leave the RV to go someplace...

curtiscapk · 07-01-2021, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChuckS

You couldn't get me near any condo or any other high rise building.. RVing is a learning experience... the repair is not too bad and you wont make that mistake again..

With our awning.. which we rarely extend the standing rule is.. retracted at nighttime and when we leave the RV to go someplace...

Same here! !

**sourdough** · 07-01-2021, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kwaidonjin

Thank you everyone for talking me of the cliff. I contacted Lippert and they were very helpful looks like it's only going to be an $80 dollar fix. Support arm assembly. My wife was piling on about how much work it is and a condo would be better. I would rather camp....

Donald I can assure you a condo is not "better". While they sound enticing there are so many drawbacks and limitations that I wouldn't dream of owning another one....or another "vacation" property again. The RV will offer you FAR more opportunities, and FUN, than any condo unless you just want to sit in a chair, in the same place, doing the same things, at the same places etc. for the rest of your life. Not fun in any respect after about the first 3 trips.

Heck, I just kept buying places thinking it would be better if I had more varied places to go. Nah, then all you have is a never ending list of maintenance items that drive you crazy. Fixing the RV is easy and generally not too expensive - and LOTS more fun so don't jump off that cliff!

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