Dometic 8500 awning, rotted fabric and roller tore free

[KRStone]

My folks store their travel trailer (Forest River) at my house.



My mom was visiting and she wanted to see how bad it was. So I was extending the awning when it tore free from the side of the TT. The tube, the arms, and the spinning fabric came crashing down.



The tube et al avoided damage, because my mom was right there and the tube struck her on the cheek, jaw, and then she caught it in her arms until I could grab it.



Could have been much worse, she was sore for days though.



I need to fix it before their annual trip to the Salmon River, ID.



I have read the instructions from Dometic and on an RV forum. The problem is, the instructions are written from the perspective of an awning that is still attached and functioning, and the procedure to slide the fabric off one side and reinstal.



Other than the brackets are already installed, I'll be starting from scratch.



I am ready to tackle this.



I figure I need to verify that torsion spring(s) [is there one on each side?] are okay before I order parts.



Found fabric from pplRV for $200 shipped.



I'm hoping for some direction and help.



Thank you,



KRS

 

[CharlesHoward]

Personally, I would use a mobile RV Repair Tech and offer to help as needed.

They likely have the experience of working with awnings.

I think I paid around $200 several years ago for 3 replacement slide topper awnings and installation from a mobile Tech and took him and his helper less than an hour.

 

[KRStone]

That is good advice.



Knowing me, it's advice I probably won't heed :]



I removed the Main Support Arms from the Tube, and unwound the tiny bit of torson left by turning the Top Castings.



Drilled the rivets on the Tube End Caps and pulled the End Cap/Torsion Assemblies out of the Tube. Both appear to be in good shape, springs aren't broken.



Slid awning fabric out of the tracks on the awning tube.



Discovered a broken Slider Catch Knob on one of the Main Support Arms; found a set of two on ebay for $10. 50; they were in a single blister pack at the local RV store for $18.



Need to order the fabric and find the right size rivets.

Need to remove the top of the awning fabric from the side of the RV, it's in a track and I need to remove the Top Mounting Bracket before I can side the top of the awning fabric out of that channel on the side of the RV.



So, that's where it's at right now.



KRS

 

[KRStone]

The instructions discuss winding up the torsion springs. They don't say which direction.



Are the awning springs under tension when the awning is fully extended? That was it will roll back up, right?



KRS

 

[jelag]

I have done this in the past... . Dometic has complete instructions on its web sight... They tell how to remove it, and replace it, how to wind and unwind it... .

Hope this helps...

 

[BLNRAY]

if you were a little closer to Fla,i have a new 16 ft Dometic 9100 electric awning,tube assy
with fabric i have been trying to sell

 

[ScottLewis]

As Jim says, the instructions from Dometic are fairly easy to follow. Use vice grips to hold and rotate the spring shaft. Tension is pretty strong and it can get away from you if not careful. Have help when actually sliding the awning into the awning rail at least 1 or 2 would be better. Keep everything even and ease the bead into the slot.

 

[ewcmr2]

Are the awning springs under tension when the awning is fully extended? That was it will roll back up, right?

Correct, when fully extended the springs are under the most tension.

 

[KRStone]

Fabric ordered!

 

[BIGNASTY]

Don't know if I should say anything because i'm not a member but here goes anyway. My Dad,Uncle and I did the one on my Dads trailer. We did it as if it were installed on the trailer and extended. slid the fabric in both the upper trailer mount slot and in the roller slot at the same time. We had enough hands to make it a somewhat easy job. But my Dad said if he were to do it again that he would pull the roller off and wind the fabric around the roller and slide the end into the upper slot of the trailer and then reattach the roller to the arms. What ever you do watch out for the springs that are in the roller if they get loose you'll be sucking soup for awhile until your jaw mends. Count the turns of the spring tension and add the same amount back to it to make it work again. It wasn't that hard but the spring was kind of scary. Pay attention to the direction of the spring tension and rewind it the same way.



Nate

 

[KRStone]

Thank you for adding, please don't hesitate.



I can't count the number of turns, because mine came crashing down (or the direction of the turning for that matter).



But I'm going to do it the way your Dad wants to next time.