carefree awning repair

[marklo]

I have a 16' carefree slide-out topper that had a problem in the wind. One of the arms (left side) got bend as well as the gear broken on the bellow arm. I want to replace the arm and the gear. Can I roll the awning out and hold it with grips and pull the arm and the gear off without the spring unwinding? I need to replace the fabric also while I am there. I have never worked on an awning but have good mechanical skills.

[Martind4]

On our Dometic slide toppers there are holes in the spring shafts for a cotter key that locks everything together and keeps the springs from unwinding. Be sure to use a cotter key and spread the ends a little to keep them from falling out. Don't use a nail, it will fall out at the most inopportune time (don't ask me how I know).

Check the ends of the roller tube for small holes that can be aligned to the spring shaft. Hope this helps.

[RV Wizard]

Hello marklo and welcome to iRV2.com. We are glad to have you join us here and we look forward to reading of your adventures and experiences. I am sure you will enjoy the website and forums.
I would recommend you replace the entire awning for the cost difference of fabric and parts needed. Also the new awning will be preloaded so you do not have to worry about the process and danger of injury trying to repair the damaged one.
Good luck and keep us posted.

[AFChap]

Welcome to the forum!!

We have Carefree toppers, and I have replaced the fabric myself by getting fabric at a local awning show for about 1/2 the cost from Carefree. The hole in the roller tube to lock the awning roller is normally on the left end of the roller tube as you stand facing the side of the RV.

My toppers do not have arms/gears so not sure what you are dealing with there ...Mike is likely right on the cost to repair being close to the cost of a new one.