Tore up my awning

[DebbieMH]

Originally Posted by jwprosser

Buddy110,
I just got back from going to Ghirad at Red Bay. I have only good things to say, also stay at Red Bay Acres right next to the factory, great park and experience plus restaurant site. I had them do a full check a, clean and adjust on all 3 awnings. Not under warranty bust still no charge. The coach ahead of me was a different story, older Entegra that had the lag bolts striped out. There was a charge for that one. Call them and talk to them, but it is worth the trip to have it fixed right the first time.

I went to Red Bay to Girard to get mine fixed when it wouldn't go in. Excellent customer service. Their is a campground right there to stay at - Red Bay Acres. Well worth it in my opinion.

[philnail]

On our Classic 2013 Anthem we lost both awnings due to a wind gust. Damaged the passenger side of the coach and out both awnings on the roof. We had progressive back then and they covered it and did not raise our rates. I was an hour away from Girard and I sat across from the President and he said act of god. Sorry. 2 weeks later we got a service bulletin from Girard that says there could be an issue with the wind sensors

$25,000 damage

[n2zon]

Originally Posted by buddy110

Well, Dummy me drove out of the campground today....with my awnings out. Front two have minor, cosmetic damage, but the rear tore through the fascia Than fully, I was able to retract it almost all the way so that I could tie it down. Drove home no issues:

Who does one go to for a repair of such? A body shop? mother ship? Girard direct? DIY?. I'm sure insurance will cover it, but I fear they may drop me or raise my rate. Either way, I need to get it repaired.

Any suggestions greatly appreciated.
TIA

You might try Dave's RV Center in Danbury. Almost bought Newmar there (floor plan wasn't quite right for us but it was in *great* shape) and spent some time looking around their shop without seeing anything remotely dodgy. They're usually booked a couple of months out.

[Orrin]

Turn the claim into your insurance carrier. They will send a knowledgeable adjuster out to inspect the damage. They will also have a list of preferred vendors to do the repairs. If you go to one of them and the repairs are not right, it's on their dime. Good luck.

[LWBAZ]

Originally Posted by philnail

On our Classic 2013 Anthem we lost both awnings due to a wind gust. Damaged the passenger side of the coach and out both awnings on the roof. We had progressive back then and they covered it and did not raise our rates. I was an hour away from Girard and I sat across from the President and he said act of god. Sorry. 2 weeks later we got a service bulletin from Girard that says there could be an issue with the wind sensors.

In my experience a wind sensor can be working perfectly, but if a big patio awning is fully extended there is no way it's going to survive a sudden wind gust - simply because of the time it takes for a fully extended awning to fully retract. I've never timed it, but it definitely doesn't happen instantly, and the Girard awnings seem even slower that other brands we've had.

Wind sensors are great if the wind picks up gradually. But when the wind goes from dead calm to gale force in a heartbeat, a fully extended patio awning doesn't stand a chance.

Not intending to be argumentative. Only you know the specifics of your situation and whether a perfectly functioning wind sensor would have saved your awnings.

[n2zon]

Originally Posted by Orrin

Turn the claim into your insurance carrier. They will send a knowledgeable adjuster out to inspect the damage. They will also have a list of preferred vendors to do the repairs. If you go to one of them and the repairs are not right, it's on their dime. Good luck.

^^^ Yup.

We (the OP and I) live in an area with few RV repair facilities other than CW in Kingston, and Danbury isn't that far away from the OP. And an insurer's preferred places might not be my own.

That said, I forgot completely about Del Hatt in Poughkeepsie. Good, competent people there, and if they'll take the job they'll most likely do it right.

There could be other good RV shops closer to the OP that I don't know about. I tend to do everything possible in the driveway, which limits my experience with repair facilities.

[Mississippi]

The 2013 Anthem wind sensors are battery powered. Life of battery is about 5 years. Suggest you inspect your’s. Went to Red Bay and service was great and price was reasonable. I cannot find anywhere that I am told about a battery. New battery and sensor works fine.

[buddy110]

Originally Posted by n2zon

^^^ Yup.

We (the OP and I) live in an area with few RV repair facilities other than CW in Kingston, and Danbury isn't that far away from the OP. And an insurer's preferred places might not be my own.

That said, I forgot completely about Del Hatt in Poughkeepsie. Good, competent people there, and if they'll take the job they'll most likely do it right.

There could be other good RV shops closer to the OP that I don't know about. I tend to do everything possible in the driveway, which limits my experience with repair facilities.

I am considering calling Kevin at Delhatt. If the canister and arms are ok, it would be as simple as replacing the fascia. Vinces down the street could paint it prior to installation. Kevin has repaired several things over the course of a few years

[buddy110]

Safeco has the claim. I looked locally for service, but I'm not thrilled with my options. Both NIRVC Atlanta (per a call from Brett after he read my post) and the Mothership have raised their hands to offer the repair. I don't think I can go wrong with either. Now I'm waiting for availability of parts. Will update the board when I have a resolution.

Thanks everyone for your input

[Denie]

Originally Posted by buddy110

Well, Dummy me drove out of the campground today....with my awnings out. Front two have minor, cosmetic damage, but the rear tore through the fascia Than fully, I was able to retract it almost all the way so that I could tie it down. Drove home no issues:

Who does one go to for a repair of such? A body shop? mother ship? Girard direct? DIY?. I'm sure insurance will cover it, but I fear they may drop me or raise my rate. Either way, I need to get it repaired.

Any suggestions greatly appreciated.
TIA

I too have pulled away with an awning out but caught it in time and stopped. It happens. With our new coach ill make a pre flight check list and using it from the drivers seat just like a pilot might do. Sometimes the drive you have in front of you occupies your mind so that you forget simple little things like an awning. Why the heck an auto close feature like with the step is not a standard feature is beyond me. Even an alarm would be great.

[rcoleman]

First off, don't beat yourself up too bad, we have all made errors where RV's are concerned. I agree with a previous poster, make a simple check list. I have it on the dash and my wife reads it as I go double check things. Knock on wood, since we have been doing this, no major faux pas.

[srballantyne]

Had similar issue last year. Wind came up and tore the awning completely off my 2004 Dolphin. Took it to the dealer, upgraded to electric, and used my insurance. It was a very expensive lesson for me. Had to completely remove what was left of the awning and hardware just to get home. Paid the campground owner to dispose of it for me.

[dragrace728]

Originally Posted by buddy110

Well, Dummy me drove out of the campground today....with my awnings out. Front two have minor, cosmetic damage, but the rear tore through the fascia Than fully, I was able to retract it almost all the way so that I could tie it down. Drove home no issues:

Who does one go to for a repair of such? A body shop? mother ship? Girard direct? DIY?. I'm sure insurance will cover it, but I fear they may drop me or raise my rate. Either way, I need to get it repaired.

Any suggestions greatly appreciated.
TIA

search your local Facebook area, lots of RV/trailer repair shops around

[Fireairdrop]

Take your motorhome to Conn. Motorcars and Coaches in Plainville, Ct. They are Tiffin repair but do everything. It’s a repair shop not a dealer. Great service techs.