Dometic AE Awning Repair

[sfrantz]

A part on our Dometic WeatherPro awning broke and we bought the replacement through PPL (great service, thank you!). Now installing it is proving difficult. To replace the sliding part I had to remove a strut, and now I can't get the strut back in! I don't have the leverage to compress it while it is in place.

We're wondering about a special strut compressor, but none seem to fit this. It is 29.5 inches long.

Our other option is to open the awning (with the left support broken) and see if it extends enough to get the strut in. If the strut is not under compression when the awning is extended, we'll be fine.

Has anyone else had this problem and do you have any tips for us?
Is it dangerous to extend the awning with the left arm not fully assembled?

Thank you in advance.

[bdpreece]

The struts are there to assist in opening and holding the awning open. If you slowly open the awning while someone assists the side missing the strut you should be able to install the new strut with it extended. If you want to look at a manual for the weather Pro check here http://www.janeandjohn.org/docs/AwningManual.pdf
The warnings seem to be more to caution you on the fact that the struts will open fast if you release the awning or the strut.

[sfrantz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bdpreece The struts are there to assist in opening and holding the awning open. If you slowly open the awning while someone assists the side missing the strut you should be able to install the new strut with it extended. If you want to look at a manual for the weather Pro check here http://www.janeandjohn.org/docs/AwningManual.pdf The warnings seem to be more to caution you on the fact that the struts will open fast if you release the awning or the strut.

Thank you for the reference! That is great!

[bdpreece]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sfrantz Thank you for the reference! That is great!

Be sure and check back in and let us know how you make out. I hate these threads where people go off to try things and you never hear the results good or bad. wishing you nothing but good luck.

[wa8yxm]

Without any awing in place you should be able to put the strut back in the arm, Then by careful (2 people working together) push and pull on different awning arm spots to bring it up so you can either

1: Rope it in
2: Attach roller

That is how I did it.

[sfrantz]

You could help me by telling me the length of the strut when the awning is extended. I know that uninstalled the length of the strut is 29.5 inches from the extreme end to the extreme end (outside tip to outside tip). The piston part is 11.5 inches (only the inside piston showing, not the connections).

If someone could measure theirs when open, I'd know how much I'll have to compress it once mine is extended. I'm cautious about trying to extend mine without the strut until I know what I will be dealing with.

Please see the original post for a photo of the part I am talking about.

Thanks in advance.

[sfrantz]

Well, we finally got it done. A friend at a campground helped me. We were able to force it into place when the awning was hyperextended. It took a lot of pushing, pulling, and bending. Thanks for everyone's help.