Bounder: Dometic auto awning detaching while driving

[Voyager35L]

I was just driving back up the highway in Delaware and all of a sudden the Dometic awning detached and tore off the side of my 2015 Fleetwood Bounder 35 K. I had to work on it myself since my Plymouth
Rock Insurance could not get anyone to help. I am 71. It is an auto awning and this shocked me. I had to cut it loose take it off the unit and leave it where it fell. It was torn to pieces and too large to transport. Any advice and how do you think my insurance will handle it? Has this happened to anyone? PS. An RV me passed me a few seconds later and his awning came loose. Go figure.

[waroland]

Take lots of pictures for your insurance claim.

[GlennLever]

Originally Posted by Voyager35L

I was just driving back up the highway in Delaware and all of a sudden the Dometic awning detached and tore off the side of my 2015 Fleetwood Bounder 35 K. I had to work on it myself since my Plymouth
Rock Insurance could not get anyone to help. I am 71. It is an auto awning and this shocked me. I had to cut it loose take it off the unit and leave it where it fell. It was torn to pieces and too large to transport. Any advice and how do you think my insurance will handle it? Has this happened to anyone? PS. An RV me passed me a few seconds later and his awning came loose. Go figure.

This is actually a pretty common thing if you read through the treads.

My manual CareFree awning was torn off on the way to Gateway for a race. This was after Caledonia RV did three repairs to the awning.

I had Camping world install a new electric awning

You would think that with a new install I would have been good to go, but no
they did a poor install and that one almost feel off also

So when you get yours repaired make sure they anchor it correctly to the Motor Home.

It is a sad thing that the quality of repairs have to be watch so closely.

Not sure how the insurance will treat it. What is your deductible? It many not be worth claiming it.

Glenn

[Nonnaof Two]

I was just looking at fleetwood recalls. I would look and see if this pertains to you. I remember seeing something about the awning. Fleetwood should have sent you a notice.

[racer26]

I saw you today. I was by when I realized what had happened to you. The wind was gusty all the way up through Delaware today I'm sure thats what caused it.

[Nonnaof Two]

Originally Posted by Voyager35L

I was just driving back up the highway in Delaware and all of a sudden the Dometic awning detached and tore off the side of my 2015 Fleetwood Bounder 35 K. I had to work on it myself since my Plymouth
Rock Insurance could not get anyone to help. I am 71. It is an auto awning and this shocked me. I had to cut it loose take it off the unit and leave it where it fell. It was torn to pieces and too large to transport. Any advice and how do you think my insurance will handle it? Has this happened to anyone? PS. An RV me passed me a few seconds later and his awning came loose. Go figure.

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs...3V189-0123.pdf
This is a site you might try looking to see. I think we would all be wise to look up our RV's and see what problems we might have before something happens while traveling down the road.
Good luck.

[rapid rick]

They make lock straps to keep this from happening, aftermarket of coarse, seems to be enough of a problem for aftermarket to step up and make money.
Heaven for bid that the manufacturer install them to maybe save a 71 year old buyer all this grief.... or all buyers for that matter.

[mchero]

I had a manual awning on my 93 Pace Arrow Diesel unfurl on me. Cost me 300 for new material. I was able to get the tube in the coach but not fun but that was a 93 manual awning.

Note that toppers over the slides have little arms are keep the toppers from unfurling BUT they have to be properly adjusted! Some of the awnings are in an aluminum casing to prevent unfurling like the A&E Weatherpro in my 07 Discovery. Keep us posted on the insurance side.

[Voyager35L]

I posted that the awning unfolded at 65 mph and this is the update. I contacted the insurance company and they sent a representative to assess the damage. I have found the Plymouth Rock is not familiar with RV's. They are on a learning curve. I took it to the dealer for a repair estimate and the body shop for same. The body shop mentioned that the insurance company is learning about RV's besides my personal assessment.

I was contacted by the roadside assistance people who apologized for not helping me when I called. I mentioned if they accept insurance for an RV, and provide roadside assistance, they must fulfill their contract...that is an issue I will address later. I signed up for Good Sam's roadside assistance and purchased an awning lock. I will not drive it again without the lock installed. I have a December 16 appointment for repairs which will prevent me from covering my unit for the winter. Fortunately I coated it well with a polymer.
PS, the service manager at the RV dealer lost his awning crossing the Delaware Memorial Bridge. As the statement says in the awning lock video, "you have either had your awning unfold or know someone who has." I now know both.