Awning roller tube

[Lisa G]

Bad news this weekend. Had the awning up last night during the rain storm. Woke up this morning and found a swimming pool up there. The awning and arms seem intact but the roller tube was bent pretty good. Hubby and a friend managed to bend the tube back enough to get it to roll up. I've been searching online for a replacement tube but it seems they only come as an assembly with the fabric. I believe we have a 17' A&E Dometic 8500 awning. I don't really want to pay over $1000 for the whole thing when it's only a year old, the fabric is fine. Anyone else had this problem? Is there a good way to straighten the tube or know of a website/dealer that will sell just the tube? Anyone else had to replace one? Ideas on price? Thanx.

[billyb]

i believe camping world will sell just the tube and install it.if not ,call a & e . go to the dometic .com site and look for awnings and call them.

[Frankie]

Lisa, how did you make out? If it happened to me , lookout,electric awning here I come!!!!

[Lisa G]

Hey Frankie,
I put some bananas on the awning and watched hubby hang from it bouncing up and down. Seemed to work pretty good.
It straightened it enough that it rolls pretty well now. I hear you though, next time it happens I'm thinking electric too.

[Frankie]

Great,glad ya got it it somewhat fixed.I had a gust of wind take mine 2 weeks ago,but no damage .