Community Forums

2-bone · 02-14-2010, 08:38 AM

I plan on replacing my awning fabric on my 18' A&E 8500 Awning and the aftermarket ones I'm seeing on the internet are 2pc.(main awning & valance). I'm trying to get some input on how these 2 pcs. are joined and fit into the single slot on the main roller tube.Will anyone who has done this or knows how to do this please respond. Look forward to your advice. Thanks

Dr4Film · 02-14-2010, 08:52 AM

2-Bone,

I had my Carefree Patio awning fabric replaced a few months ago by a company called Shade-Pro at

ShadePro - RV Awnings, Shades and RV Awning Replacement Fabric

The replacement was a two piece, awning and separate valance. They told me the factory awnings were one piece utilizing one groove in the roller. However since the Carefree rollers had extra grooves, they used one groove for the awning and one for the valance. Not sure about A&E rollers but if you only have one groove to work with, then it sounds like you're going to be without the valance.

Dr4Film ----- Richard.

Mandys Man · 02-14-2010, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2-bone

I plan on replacing my awning fabric on my 18' A&E 8500 Awning and the aftermarket ones I'm seeing on the internet are 2pc.(main awning & valance). I'm trying to get some input on how these 2 pcs. are joined and fit into the single slot on the main roller tube.Will anyone who has done this or knows how to do this please respond. Look forward to your advice. Thanks

They sew the poly rod into the awning material approx 8 inches back from the "valence". It is then just slipped into one channel on the tube.

2-bone · 02-14-2010, 08:48 PM

Sewing the cord 8" back makes sense but Shade pro tells me it will be 2 pcs., thats what I don't understand, I've asked customer service to explain but have not received a response.

RV Wizard · 02-15-2010, 03:18 AM

Your A&E awning tube has three grooves. 1 for the pull down strap, 1 originally used leaving a 3rd that hangers could be put into. When installing the 2 piece fabric, two grooves will be used. Mark the groove that the fabric is in now and the main piece of the replacement will go into this groove. The valance will go in the next clockwise groove when looking at the awning from the back end. I would highly recommend you get some experienced help with this or have a professional do it for you to prevent bodily injury! Good luck and keep us posted.

2-bone · 02-15-2010, 11:45 AM

Thank you RV Wizard for pointing out 3 grooves. Until your post I did not realize that there was 3. That solves my problem. I plan on ordering from Shade Pro.

Roadking · 02-23-2010, 09:27 AM

I'm not familiar with the AE 8500, but if it is a spring loaded manual type awning BE CAREFEUL. Carefully follow the manufacturor directions to release the tension on the springs and to re-tension after replacement.

I replaced the awning material on my Carefree Onestep, which is an electric awning, and this was a fairly easy task. My replacement material was a "one piece" material, which has the two polyrods sewn into the material and these fit into the slots in the roller. If you have a long awning (mine is 21 feet) then the difficult part is feeding the two polyrods uniformily so as to not damage the material. With three folks the job is easy to complete. One individual feeding the material and polyrods into the roller and one individual pulling the polyrods in unison wiht the pushing and one holding the excess material and the roller tube. ONce the material is installed on the roller tube and rolled up, then the entire assembly can then be re-installed into the slot on the motorhome. Good luck.