Results for "awning mount"

Exterior Hard 2-8 hours for temporary fix, 1-5 days for permanen 213 👍 1

RV Sidewall Blistering & Delamination Repair Guide 2024

According to three different RV shops, fixing my bubbling sidewall delamination will cost thousands, but I'm wondering if tackling this DIY repair myself is actually feasible. My 2004 Itasca Sunova has decided to sprout some lovely blisters on the right sidewall - two beauties that are about 12-14 inches long and 3-4 inches wide, running vertically right behind the awning arm. Perfect timing since we're currently on the road living our best RV life!

I'm pretty sure water snuck in somewhere (probably from the roof rail or that shower skylight we never use), and now my RV looks like it's got chicken pox. Since we can't exactly pull into the nearest RV surgeon's office, I need to know: what can I do right now to stop this from getting worse, and what's involved in actually fixing this mess properly? I'm hoping there's some kind of emergency containment plan that doesn't involve duct tape and prayers! …more

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Exterior Medium 2-3 hours 161 👍 1

How to Replace RV Slide Topper Fabric: Complete DIY Guide 2024

I pulled into three different campsites this month and my torn slide topper is eating through my gear faster than I can replace it. I've never done anything like this before and I'm worried I might damage the whole mechanism or make things worse.

Can I actually replace just the fabric portion safely, or should I bite the bullet and have the entire assembly replaced by a professional? I'm also concerned about costs - I'm hoping this won't break the bank. If it is something I can do myself, how difficult is it really? I don't want to get in over my head and end up with a bigger problem than I started with.

Can you help me understand the best approach for my specific situation? …more

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Slideouts Medium 2-3 hours 108 👍 0

RV Slide Out Water Leak Repair: Complete Guide to Finding & Fixing Leaks in Your RV

Replaced my slide out seals last month but water still keeps pouring in every time it rains — am I missing something obvious here?

I've heard it could be the weatherstripping or seals, but I'm not sure how to inspect them properly or what other things might cause leaks. Could someone walk me through a systematic approach to find and fix slide out water leaks? I'd really appreciate guidance on what to check first and how to go about diagnosing the problem.

While the seals look okay visually, something clearly isn't sealing right when it rains. …more

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Best RV Solar Panel Kits

4.5 (12,700 reviews)

Exterior Medium 45 minutes 106 👍 0

RV Awning Won't Extend or Retract: Complete Troubleshooting & Repair Guide

This power awning manual says hold the extend button for 3 seconds, but mine's completely dead and won't budge no matter how long I hold it. When I hit the extend button, it moves out maybe 6-8 inches and then immediately retracts on its own. I have to turn the power switch off and back on each time to get even that little bit of movement.

I'm hesitant to keep forcing it since I don't want to burn out the motor or make whatever's wrong even worse. Could this be an electrical issue with low voltage, or maybe the tracks are too dirty? I've also heard about limit switches causing problems but I'm not sure how to check those safely.

What are the most common causes when an awning does this short extend-then-retract cycle? I want to start with the safest troubleshooting steps before calling a repair shop. …more

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General Medium Varies by issue 101 👍 0

How to Fix RV Slide Out Topper Awning Problems: Common Issues and Solutions for Smooth Operation

Before buying our first RV, I never even knew slide topper awnings existed, and now ours is acting up and I'm completely lost. We're having all three slide toppers professionally replaced next week, but I'm honestly worried we'll end up with the same problems all over again if they're not installed properly.

I've been reading horror stories about misaligned toppers, wrong spring tension, and fabric bunching up during slide operation. Since this is costing us a pretty penny, I really need to know what specific things I should insist the installer check and test before they leave. What are the critical adjustments that need to be made during installation to prevent these common topper problems from happening again? …more

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Exterior Medium 2-3 hours 100 👍 0

Dometic 8300 Series Awning Torsion Assembly Replacement Guide (834AV44

Already burned through three Dometic 8300 torsion assemblies in six months and I'm hemorrhaging money as a new RV owner. The model number is 834AV44.138 and I'm not even sure what series this is - is it part of the 8300 series maybe?

The torsion assembly lever broke off and I can't seem to find exact replacement parts anywhere. I'm wondering if there are compatible parts from other Dometic awning models that would work with mine? I don't want to order the wrong thing and make the problem worse. Any guidance on finding the right replacement parts or temporary fixes would be really helpful! …more

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General Easy 30 minutes to 1 hour 95 👍 1

Flag Pole Mount for Tiffin Allegro 33AA Without Fixed Ladder

Spent all morning staring at my new Tiffin Allegro 33AA trying to figure out how to mount a telescopic flag pole without destroying something. My previous RV had a fixed ladder which made mounting easy and secure, but this new rig doesn't have that option.

I'm concerned about using suction cups or zip ties because they don't seem very secure, and I'm afraid the telescopic flag pole could come loose while driving and cause damage or become a road hazard. The bike rack is already occupied with our bikes, so that's not available either.

What are some safe, secure mounting options that won't damage the RV's exterior? I need something that will hold firmly during highway speeds but won't leave permanent marks or holes in my new rig. …more

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Exterior Easy 15 minutes 94 👍 0

How to Replace Your RV Door Awning Motor Cap: Step-by-Step Guide

I tried getting answers about my RV sideswipe damage but my insurance adjuster says it's totaled, three body shops say fixable, and forums are completely split. The coward took off at the highway exit before I could get his plates. Damage is to the bay doors and right front corner cap area - looks pretty ugly but the RV is still drivable. Police never showed up despite multiple calls over 4 hours of waiting. Already filed with insurance and sent photos, but I'm wondering what I should be looking for beyond the obvious visible damage. This is my first accident in 8 years of RVing and I'm stressed about hidden issues I might miss. Any advice on what to inspect or document before the adjuster comes out? …more

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Exterior Hard Varies 93 👍 0

Carefree RV Awning Spring and Arm Replacement Guide - Model Compatibility Tips

According to my mechanic, fixing my 18-foot Carefree of Colorado awning's busted spring mechanism will cost $800, but I'm wondering if I can tackle this myself since there's zero tension left. Along with that, one of the support arms that helps transition the awning from travel position to deployed position is also damaged and needs replacement.

Before I start ordering parts or calling repair shops, I'm trying to understand how Carefree's replacement parts work. Are their springs and support arms universal components that work across different awning sizes and models, or does Carefree use proprietary parts that are specific to each awning series? I've been browsing their website but the parts compatibility information isn't very clear about what fits what.

I'd really appreciate any guidance on part compatibility and whether this is something I should tackle myself or leave to a professional. The spring replacement in particular seems like it might be tricky given the tension involved. …more

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Exterior Medium 2-4 hours 92 👍 0

RV Awning Repair vs Replacement: When to Fix Torn Fabric

Apparently my RV manual says to replace the entire awning when the fabric tears, but everyone online seems to just patch or swap the fabric instead. My 2020 motorhome's awning fabric has developed a few tears - some small ones that are maybe 4-5 inches, but also a couple larger rips. The fabric also feels kind of stiff and brittle in places, especially where it's been exposed to the most sun.

I'm trying to figure out if I should attempt repairs or just bite the bullet and replace the fabric entirely. The frame itself seems to be in decent shape, so I think I'd only need new fabric rather than a whole new awning system. I've seen repair tapes advertised but I'm not sure if they actually work or how long they last.

What's the general rule of thumb for when awning fabric can be repaired versus when replacement makes more sense? And if I do need to replace just the fabric, what should I expect to pay for something decent? Thanks for any advice - I really don't want to make the wrong choice here! …more

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Chassis Medium 3-4 hours 89 👍 0

2003 Ford F53 RV Chassis Wheel Bearing Grease Guide - Best Products &

I'm wondering if my grease choice is wrong for my 2003 Ford F53's front bearing replacement when my neighbor's identical motorhome runs perfectly after his service. The original grease that came out was a dark gray/black color and while there wasn't any catastrophic damage, the races showed enough wear marks that I decided to replace everything while I'm in there.

I've been researching different options and keep seeing conflicting recommendations. Some people swear by standard lithium grease, others recommend full synthetic formulations, and I've even seen mentions of specific brands like Valvoline MaxLife and Timken. I know the F53 chassis carries significantly more weight than a typical pickup truck, so I want to make sure I'm using something that can handle the load.

I have the torque procedure down (30 ft-lbs initial, back off, then final setting at 17 in-lbs), but I want to make sure I'm pairing that proper installation with the right grease. What specific grease products work best for the F53 front wheel bearings, and are there any compatibility issues I should be aware of when selecting a replacement grease? …more

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Best RV Surge Protectors

4.6 (14,200 reviews)

Exterior Medium 45 minutes 87 👍 0

Carefree HD Awning Stabilizer Review: Box Awning Install

Between the wind gusts hitting camp right now, I can see my box awning doing this wild flapping dance that's making me nervous. The Carefree HD Awning Stabilizer appears to be designed specifically for this application, but I need technical assessment of its actual performance characteristics.

Primary concerns are bounce reduction effectiveness, compatibility across different box awning manufacturers, and installation complexity for self-service repair. Wind stability is the critical performance metric - current setup shows significant sway at wind speeds above 10-15 mph.

Looking for factual analysis of this stabilizer's capabilities on box awning configurations, particularly regarding installation requirements and real-world wind resistance improvements. …more

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Slideouts Medium 1-2 hours to diagnose 87 👍 0

How to Fix RV Slide Out Water Leak from Bottom - Wiper Seal Repair Guide for 2023 Models

About two weeks into living in my 2023 Forest River Forester MBS2401B and this slide out I've never dealt with before is leaking water from the bottom. The leak occurs specifically when the slide is in the retracted position during wind-driven rain events. Water is penetrating at floor level beneath the dinette area of the full wall slide assembly.

I have verified that all visible seals appear to be properly seated and the topper awning shows no obvious damage. Given that this is occurring on a current model year unit, I need to understand if this represents a manufacturing defect covered under warranty, and what specific component is likely causing the failure at the bottom of the slide mechanism. …more

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Exterior Medium 2-4 hours 84 👍 0

RV Awning Water Damage: Complete Repair vs Replace Guide (2024)

Tried getting quotes for my water-damaged RV awning and the $800 replacement estimate has me wondering if I can tackle this repair myself instead. Water pooled on it during a light rain because I had the angle wrong, and now something seems to be wrong with the spring mechanism - it's not retracting properly anymore.

I'm afraid to mess with it further without knowing what I'm dealing with. How can I safely assess whether the fabric, spring, or roller tube is damaged? I need to know if this is something I can repair or if I'm looking at a complete replacement. I don't want to make things worse by trying the wrong approach. …more

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Slideouts Medium 30-60 minutes 84 👍 0

Can You Remove RV Slideout Topper Temporarily? Safe Travel Without Awning

Since that heavy downpour last weekend, my slideout topper mechanism completely failed - something snapped inside the roller tube and now it won't retract at all. I managed to manually wind it up and secure it with zip ties just to get home, but it's clearly done for.

I've got a replacement topper on order, but of course it won't arrive before our next planned outing in two weeks. I'm really hoping we don't have to cancel this trip we've been looking forward to! Can I safely remove the broken topper completely and just operate the slideout normally without it? I assume it should be fine since it's just for keeping debris off the roof, but I want to make absolutely sure there are no safety issues with traveling and using the slideout without the topper installed. Any advice would be hugely appreciated! …more

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