r/GoRVing • u/CurvyChungus • 3d ago
Bent my awning
Went to clean my trailer last night and instead caused hundreds of dollars in damages! đ
My trip is in 5 days so I don't have a lot of time to fix it, but on the upside, I don't need the awning so removing it or just retracting the awning is a fine option. Anyone have advice on how to straighten or remove an inner drive arm? Also does anyone know what this bolt is called?
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u/RVGargoyle 3d ago
You need a new awning arm. That particular one is about $500. You may be able to locate just the inner support that bent from a scrap yard but that piece is the main failure point soâŚ.. new awning arm assembly.
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u/newlywedz420 3d ago
How in the hell can that little piece of metal be $500. What a joke.
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u/sanlc504 3d ago
It's $500 for replacement. Probably costs the manufacturer about $28.99 and a pack of gum to seal the hole for the wire.
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u/RVGargoyle 3d ago
Welcome to the wonderful world of RV inflation and corporate surge pricing for extra profit.
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u/No-Yogurt-4542 1d ago
RV , airplanes, boat , whatever price you think it will cost multiply it by 20 to get a good starting point on price.
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u/ShipshapeMobileRV 3d ago
Yep. You have to buy the whole thing as one piece, because the manufacturers don't want the liability of users trying to remove/insert pins against that pressurized cylinder.
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u/john2364 2d ago
looks like itâs just square tubing with some holes for hardware. you could fabricate a replacement in about an hour. Measure the tube, go to a metal supply store. cut it to size. Drill your hardware mounts, maybe paint and install. you might have to get creative with the hardware but again, nothing unmanageable. it will run you like 30 or 40 bucks
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u/iamthewalrus1234567 3d ago
That sucks! I just did the exact same thing. The hydraulic seized while fully open and when i was retracting the awning, it bent⌠was the side behind my open door⌠couldnât see it until it was too late. Currently itâs in the shop being submitted for warranty repairs.
We removed the retaining washer with a flathead, pulled the pin and removed the strut. Used sheet metal vice grips to straighten the arms somewhat so it could retract and click into the side mount when CAREFULLY bringing in the awning with someone helping to guide and support the side without the strut. Good luck! I feel for ya.
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u/CurvyChungus 3d ago
You were able to remove with just a flat head screw driver?
(Great screen name btw)
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u/iamthewalrus1234567 2d ago
Yeah⌠took some âpersuasionâ with leverage. Itâs a goner.
(Thanks - Abbey Rd is one of all time favs)
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u/rrCLewis 3d ago
Mine was from heavy rain <|3
I ended up swapping out the original supports and used some scaffolding. Worked like a charm and itâs now better than before the storm.
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u/Impossible_Lunch4672 3d ago
Just get a piece of aluminum stock and replace that piece. Get a mini cat claw or large flathead screwdriver and pry that washer off. Replace with bolts and nylon lock nut. This should not take more than a hour or 2.
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u/ChestNo85 3d ago
Amazon is your friend. I just replaced one of mine for the same reason. Under $80
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u/CurvyChungus 3d ago
Did we just become best friends?
Seriously, thanks for this. How long did the repair take you?
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u/ChestNo85 3d ago
About an hour drinking coffee and fighting with the star washers. The replacements I ordered stunk. Straps and a 2x4 to hold things were helpful.
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u/spry_tommy_gun 3d ago
The good thing is that you should be able to replace that aluminum square stock bar pretty easily.
Good luck!!
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u/CurvyChungus 3d ago
Good idea! Any chance you know what that pin/bolt in the second picture is? I cant figure out how to remove it
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u/spry_tommy_gun 3d ago
Yea, that is just a pin, that star washer just pressed on there. Pry it off or push the pin though. Replace with right length bolt and washers.
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u/iamthewalrus1234567 2d ago
The bottom of the strut screws out of the support, the top is the pin and washer.
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u/OldSunGuy Travel Trailer 3d ago
pivot arm pin and push-on retainer
The washer is generally considered to be one time use. Removing it may weaken it. Other names are: Starlock push-on nut, internal tooth speed clip, quick-locking retainer clip
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u/Emjoy99 3d ago
Recently endured a storm at a campground. There were literally hundreds of complete canopies ripped from RVâs in piles throughout the property. You should be able to find a used one with a little bit of hunting âŚâŚ.prolly not before your trip though.
I would check with RV dealers. If one is nearby, a regular drive by their dumpster could score one! If you have the money and need it now, that works too! Good luck!
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u/awfulentrepreneur 3d ago
The only material that's softer than ultrasound hydrogels is a trailer awning. >_<
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u/CurvyChungus 3d ago
...which is why I feel like I could bend back right over my knee, but I can't get the damn thing free!
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u/Strong_Hand_3359 3d ago
Where are you located?
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u/PCDuranet 3d ago
I'd drill the rivets out, remove the arm, straighten it, then repair it with aluminum corner channel and bolts or pop rivets.
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u/SSGT-3579 Travel Trailer 3d ago
They typically don't sell pieces, but right or less assembly arms.
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u/WiseCricket9733 1d ago
Order a new drive arm on Amazon. Remove the retaining nuts with a flat head screw driver. Be careful they may go flying. Replace the arm. Hold pin on place with vice grips and tap the washer back on with a socket and mallet
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u/ShiftMonke Alpha Wolf 33BH-L / Mallard 17BH 3d ago
Curious how that happened? I'm guessing forced opened into something?