Awning Replacement

[Flatrekker]

I have a 2001 Monaco Dynasty with a Carefree of Colorado OneTouch awning. I just had it adjusted after replacing the motor last year and it seems to work ok, but the tech at Lazydays made a note that the gas shocks were bad and the hardware was obsolete.

I asked what could be done and was informed that there was nothing I could do short of replacing the awning. Seems strange that there's no way to replace the little gas shocks, but I guess that's the way it is. The tech said that the awning will still work, but that the shocks just weren't doing their job.

I'll not be putting any more $ into this awning, so I'm looking at alternatives for when the time comes. Carefree has a model called the Mirage that uses motion of awning sensors for auto-retract as opposed to wind speed. Anybody have experience with this awning?

[scenic route]

I though our awning struts were weak until I changed the motor and roller cup assembly. Our metal flex cover keeps the awning captured until the roller unravels a bit and once the awning is past this 'neural' position, those struts really take over with some opening force. 90 lbs of force comes to mind.

Anyway, you don't have to buy a new awning to get new gas struts. Does your awning come out without any help?

BTW, our Carefree has a strap that can help with the extension...never used ours, but it's there if need be.

[scenic route]

Try calling PPL with your awning model #...they sell a lot of CareFree awning parts. 1-800-755-4775

[djbmsu]

Our last two visits to LD for work on our 2011 RED left me with the impression that the mechanics that worked on our coach were nothing more than parts changers. Step would not work so they replaced the motor, that didnt resolve the problem so off with the motor back on the old and replaced the controll module. That didnt work so off with the module and back on with the old. Replaced the panel switch and that also did not work. Changed out the little $6 dollar magnet switch and tada !!!!!! so 4 hours later and $263 in labor ???????

Did not leave me with any confidence in Lazy Days techs or their recommendations.