changing awning length

[duner bill]

my 96 safari mh has a cheap fabric short about
16' awning can i change the awning rail to allow a longer awning?

i know i can change the bottom mount
just not sure on the top rail that holds the awning to mh side of roof, bill

[duner bill]

my 96 safari mh has a cheap fabric short about
16' awning can i change the awning rail to allow a longer awning?

i know i can change the bottom mount
just not sure on the top rail that holds the awning to mh side of roof, bill

[RV Wizard]

If the awning rail is shorter than you would like, you can add the same style to the exsisting one to change the toatl length. Be sure the bottom brackets will not interfer with any compartment doors and the lentgh of the new awning will be measured from center of bottom bracket to center of other.

[Retired and Happy]

On my most recent trip I discovered the joint between awning rail sections can be a source of leaks during a heavy rain, so some sealant is advised at the joint after the awning is installed. I say "after" so the sealant does not interfere with the installation of the awning.

[NeilV]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by duner bill:
my 96 safari mh has a cheap fabric short about
16' awning can i change the awning rail to allow a longer awning?

i know i can change the bottom mount
just not sure on the top rail that holds the awning to mh side of roof, bill </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Bill,

What brand of awning are we talking about? AE from Dometic claims that their hardware mounts are made to be universal so if you have one of their awnings you may be able to just order the extension for the top rail, the new awning fabric/roller assembly and reuse the rest if they are in good condition.

The AE fabric is acrylic and considered their best by some while the vinyl are at the bottom of the line.

I am making the same consideration on my 95 Vectra. It has a 16 foot AE Acrylic awning however the awning rail already runs from the back of the copilots window to the rear cap so I should just be able to order the longer roller and fabric if I have been correctly informed. Then I would only have to relocate the rear arm and patch up the two holes from the old base plate location.

I will have to price it out and see if this years budget will allow for it.

Whatever you do play it safe as the clock springs on the rollers can pack quite a punch.

Regards,

Neil

[duner bill]

yea but is it really water proof?
it appears to be fabric is it treated?
its hard to see how vinyl is at the bottom of th eline ? not only is my awning to short
it just does not look to be very water proof
the past new vinyls ive had appear to withstand water better

bill

[NeilV]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by duner bill:
yea but is it really water proof?
it appears to be fabric is it treated?
its hard to see how vinyl is at the bottom of th eline ? not only is my awning to short
it just does not look to be very water proof
the past new vinyls ive had appear to withstand water better

bill </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Bill,

The withstanding of water is subject to how a fabric awning is used and maintained. Do somthing that would remove the water seal or cause wicking and you could get some drips here and there. Mine is ten years old and although I have only owned it for about a month and one half I have not had any real problems aside from the original repairs to the ten year old handles that were abused and the desire for a larger size.

Here is a link to the booklett on mine:

http://www.dometicusa.com/pdf/OS2040Elite9000.pdf

Operating instructions:

http://www.dometicusa.com/pdf/3103435.008.pdf

Care and cleaning:

http://www.dometicusa.com/pdf/Awnings.pdf

http://www.dometicusa.com/pdf/drdAwnings.pdf

Look things over and go with whatever works best for you.

I am most likely going to live with mine for a while and concentrate on sealing over the freshly caulked roof seams with everbond tape, cleaning up the oxidation on the fiberglass and getting a good polymer sealer such as poly-glow applied to help cut down on the exterior maintenance.

Regards,

Neil

[duner bill]

i just ordered protect all for fiberglass roofs