Community Forums

saltydog · 10-12-2011, 05:46 AM

I had an "oops" moment a few weeks ago which resulted in the main support arm for my TT's awning getting warped.

It's not a hard bend, but rather warped enough that the upper and lower arms do no slide together smoothly. Picture a 2x4 that is not flat, but has a concave bend in it, that is what I have.

Anyone have any suggestions on where to go or how to get it straightened back out? Thanks.

38 Special · 10-12-2011, 06:52 AM

I did the same thing and used a Harbor Freight pipe bender to straighten it out. Figured I had nothing to loose, and it worked perfect.

Hydraulic Pipe & Tube Bender - 12 Ton

I already had the bender, something might could be built similar and a hydraulic jack used to straighten.

I found my arms were only sold in pairs, and were rather expensive, ~$600 if I remember correctly.

ga traveler · 10-12-2011, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saltydog

I had an "oops" moment a few weeks ago which resulted in the main support arm for my TT's awning getting warped.

It's not a hard bend, but rather warped enough that the upper and lower arms do no slide together smoothly. Picture a 2x4 that is not flat, but has a concave bend in it, that is what I have.

Anyone have any suggestions on where to go or how to get it straightened back out? Thanks.

At our shop, we used to remove the arm, take it to a work bench, place it across the corner of the bench, and get a guy on each end and straighten it. Be careful and go slowly. Don't over bend.

ahicks · 10-12-2011, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ga traveler

At our shop, we used to remove the arm, take it to a work bench, place it across the corner of the bench, and get a guy on each end and straighten it. Be careful and go slowly. Don't over bend.

Yup. Nothing to loose at this point. We used this process for a bend in the middle too. Leave inner and outer arms together during the process! You'll need some pretty good sized guys for those.

We've done awning rollers using a similar process.... Sometimes not perfectly, but still servicable?

IC2 · 10-12-2011, 07:23 AM

If there is no kink in the 'C' section legs, you should be able to fix it. I was able to straighten one on a long gone TT - but never could get the very small amount of twist completely out. It worked - but never quite as smoothly as before.

I just looked at PPL parts site(RV Parts and Accessories for Sale - PPL Motor Homes) and a main rafter for a generic A&E is about $23, Carefree - ~$59

coburncliff · 10-17-2011, 10:57 PM

I found a two used ones at a used RV parts place call "Five Star RV" in Henderson CO. They are very pleasant to work with, I usually speak with Eddie. I've bought everything from a used Dometic fridge to a new AC cover there. Some I picked up, once I had them mail it since I wasn't in the area.