Monaco Rattling Porch Awning Arm

[Dutch Star Don]

We recently purchased a new 2005 Monaco Diplomat and as we drove away from the dealership the front awning arm for the manual door awning began to rattle. As we hit freeway speeds I thought it was going to come apart. We stopped and tied my wife's sweatshirt drawstring around the arm. I later used a velcro strap to secure the arm.

I couldn't believe that my coach was the only one with this problem as all of the Monaco's have this same awning. What I began to see was that the new ones on the lots had a nylon tie rap on them, obviously placed by the factory for delivery.

I called Carefree of Clorado and was told that there is an optional support bracket that can be purchased to lock the front arm. After a few emails, Carefree sent me the bracket.

The reason I bring this up is because I've seen several Monaco's in the last couple of months without the bracket. I've asked the owners if they have had any problems. They all said yes and were surprised to find there is an inexpensive fix for the problem.

The repair kit comes with two brackets, but only the front one is needed. The kit sells for about $20.00 and requires that half of the bracket be mounted to the coach with two screws and the other half is slid down the inside of the awning arm.

Most RV stores sell the brackets....I hope this helps a few of you who are being driven nuts by the noisey arm.

[Dutch Star Don]

We recently purchased a new 2005 Monaco Diplomat and as we drove away from the dealership the front awning arm for the manual door awning began to rattle. As we hit freeway speeds I thought it was going to come apart. We stopped and tied my wife's sweatshirt drawstring around the arm. I later used a velcro strap to secure the arm.

I couldn't believe that my coach was the only one with this problem as all of the Monaco's have this same awning. What I began to see was that the new ones on the lots had a nylon tie rap on them, obviously placed by the factory for delivery.

I called Carefree of Clorado and was told that there is an optional support bracket that can be purchased to lock the front arm. After a few emails, Carefree sent me the bracket.

The reason I bring this up is because I've seen several Monaco's in the last couple of months without the bracket. I've asked the owners if they have had any problems. They all said yes and were surprised to find there is an inexpensive fix for the problem.

The repair kit comes with two brackets, but only the front one is needed. The kit sells for about $20.00 and requires that half of the bracket be mounted to the coach with two screws and the other half is slid down the inside of the awning arm.

Most RV stores sell the brackets....I hope this helps a few of you who are being driven nuts by the noisey arm.

[Radarr]

My freguency to these forums doesn't usually see complaints about Monaco, which is unsual in itself. They seem to be doing a better job of quality control. But the problem you just detailed definitely falls into a quality control issue, for Care Free. Did they send you the part at no cost, or were you employed to pay to fix their problem?

Sometimes, the roll-ups aren't positioned with enought tension and have to be reset, but if it actually took an addition part to fix the problem, it's only expected, that Care Free cover the fix, not you. Right?

Radarr

[Dutch Star Don]

There were several emails exchanged and they sent me the brackets no charge.

[RVRon]

Don,
The exact same thing happened on my '05 Ambassador which I believe has the exact same exterior dimensions and such as your Diplomat. My cure? Move the passengers side mirror so that the windflow is directed away from the awning strut. Works like a charm for me. Scared the heck out of me the first time it happened. Very simple cure.

Radarr, Don't you believe that Monaco Coaches are much better built than most. My personal experience has been only fair to poor with this current coach. I only hope that next season proves that I've found most of the QC issues and I can have a more care-free summer than last. IMHO, all motorhomes can and will give you headaches when new.