Girard Full Wall Slideout Awning latch support

[ghaynes754]

So in high wind, 40+mph cross wind type driving I have had multiple occasions where the small mid span hold down bracket does not do its job.

Basically the Girard full wall side slide out awning has three items that hold the cover closed. At the each end is a magnetic to metal part that holds the cover closed. Mid span there is an arm with a rubber bumper that presses on the lower edge of the cover.

While the magnetic latches seem to work fine on the shorter passenger side slide out awning covers they don't have the strength in a high cross wind situation to keep the FWS cover closed. The rubber bumper arm helps but in a strong wind I found that the cover would jump over the bumper and arm and then start banging and be unable to close since the cover was now over the top of the bumper bracket. It couldn't be latched until the slide is run out and then closed again trapping the cover under the bumper.

It was so bad that it actually knocked the bumper off the bracket.

So I got a replacement bracket and then added a curved piece of 1x1/8" aluminum flat to the bracket. Radius of the curve is 3".

I covered it with shrink wrap to stop any possible scratching to the awning cover.

Once I get back on the road I'll update this post with results. I've got the old bracket and if I still have an issue will add another bracket towards the front of the coach.

[ewlee]

I have only one hold down bracket too. I have seen several coaches with multiple brackets and was thinking about adding two more this spring.

[ghaynes754]

Wayne I may add more. But the design/placement only has about half of the rubber stopper in contact with the cover. And no room to move the bracket higher, at least the way it is installed. And Girard only shows one in their available drawings for this size of awning.

[tmh1953]

I had same problem with our Essex. Ordered 3 additional brackets from Newmar and spaced the brackets out evenly. Problem solved.

[LK23]

Mine is missing the rubber stopper. Is this a Newmar or Girard part?

[tmh1953]

The 3 I ordered had the rubber bump stops with the anti bello clips

[LK23]

Sorry my post was confusing. I am seeking to order the entire bracket. Where?

[tmh1953]

Newmar part if I remember correctly.

[LK23]

Do I understand correctly that this bracket keeps the FW slide topper from billowing when traveling?

Not sure I would know its billowing unless I could hear something flapping.

[ghaynes754]

Yes keeps it from flapping. And you will hear it loudly when it happens. Only happens, at least for me, with 40mph+ direct cross winds on the driver side.

Part is a Girard part. Complete with the bumper. I got mine from Newmar under warranty.

[tmh1953]

Exactly what happened to us driver cross wind 35-40 mph. To eliminate the problem I installed a clip very close to each end of the awning (magnets)

[tmh1953]

There is no question that Newmar is aware of the problem and don't understand why Newmar only installs one clip midway on awning. There needs to a clip installed relatively close to the magnets to avoid the problem. Haven't had any more problems since additional clips installed.

[walkerhound]

Thanks for posting this thread. when I saw this device on my new coach, I asked the dealer about it. But when I asked 'should I get them on the driver's side too', I was told it was unnecessary.

The dealer was wrong. it was a very noisy 2 day ride back home.

I couldn't find anything about the part on the internet or Girard's website. I am still waiting for the dealer to call me back (I sent them a photo) asking to purchase a few more.

So, I turned to trusty iRV2 and found this thread. I called Newmar and he knew exactly what I was talking about. I ordered 3 (an extra 1 for the FWS and 1 for each of my 2 driver side slides). Current cost is $18/ea.