Community Forums

MSHappyCampers · 05-03-2017, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HD4Mark

My problem is that the tension unwound because the fabric (vinyl) ripped completely across causing the roller to spin undone. So we need to turn it to get tension back before sliding in the fabric. After that the instructions from RVgeeks works. In the vid they unroll the fabric then stick screw drivers in the tube to keep the tension. Our tension is already lost. We can trial and error the tension if it turns to be loose. If it's too tight I worry something bad will happen. I have looked at a few vids.

Sorry if I seem dense. Is it easier than I think?

Just call A&E, give them the model number of the topper, and they will give you the correct tension.

HD4Mark · 05-03-2017, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSHappyCampers

Just call A&E, give them the model number of the topper, and they will give you the correct tension.

I could not find their number but they do have an email contact so I sent them the model number and a brief description of my problem. Hopefully they will get back to me. Not really in a hurry because we are parked for a while.

Thanks again for the help.

MSHappyCampers · 05-03-2017, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HD4Mark

I could not find their number but they do have an email contact so I sent them the model number and a brief description of my problem. Hopefully they will get back to me. Not really in a hurry because we are parked for a while.

Thanks again for the help.

Mark, try this number: 954-973-2477

HD4Mark · 05-03-2017, 02:29 PM

After only a few hours Dometic emailed me back and 13 turns it is. They also attached detailed instructions on a PDF that I believe I have already seen online. The way they do it seems like more work than necessary but they sure know more about it than I do.

Now I am waiting on the canvas guy to finish the new one.

I attached the file they sent for anyone interested.

stanleyz · 05-07-2017, 05:30 PM

OK, let me give it a try. If you wrap the new fabric on the tube completely then the spring will be slack. Then with the slide closed you insert the RV end of the fabric into the channel, the spring is still slack. Attach the hardware to the slide out. The spring is still slack. When everything is hooked up run the slide room out. The spring should now have a load sufficient to hold it firm. When you run the slide back in the spring will be slack. The movement of the slide will load and unload the spring.

I fear if you try to put 13 turns on a slide topper it will not accept it. But, if you want to pre load the spring a turn or two, hold the mounting hardware and then have someone pull the fabric. The spring will load. When you get the pre-load tension where you want it, pin both ends. Then install as stated above.

I think the 13 turns are for a full size awning which may be 8 or 10 feet wide. The topper is only two or three feet. Hope this helps.

HD4Mark · 05-13-2017, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stanleyz

OK, let me give it a try. If you wrap the new fabric on the tube completely then the spring will be slack. Then with the slide closed you insert the RV end of the fabric into the channel, the spring is still slack. Attach the hardware to the slide out. The spring is still slack. When everything is hooked up run the slide room out. The spring should now have a load sufficient to hold it firm. When you run the slide back in the spring will be slack. The movement of the slide will load and unload the spring.

I fear if you try to put 13 turns on a slide topper it will not accept it. But, if you want to pre load the spring a turn or two, hold the mounting hardware and then have someone pull the fabric. The spring will load. When you get the pre-load tension where you want it, pin both ends. Then install as stated above.

I think the 13 turns are for a full size awning which may be 8 or 10 feet wide. The topper is only two or three feet. Hope this helps.

Sorry to get back to this after so long.

What I would like to do is leave the tube attached, pre-load the tension and slide the new fabric into the tube and the rail on the MH. All of the instructions I see involve either a new install or removing the hardware. I can't see the point. I have seen a video where the fabric was replaced with this method but the tension was still on the roller. Does that make sense?

brianh76 · 10-28-2022, 03:56 PM

Hello! I found your posts after much searching. I have the same problem. The fabric ripped completely from front to back and both rollers have lost tension. I was wondering if you could give me any helpful tips as to how to recover from this situation? There is very little information I can find! Any information is greatly appreciated!

alank · 10-28-2022, 06:10 PM

I had the slide topper off a friends 5thwheel, had to remove and straighten the mounting brackets. You'll just have to guess why that was needed.

What I found at the time was to tension the fabric with seven turns when the slide was completely closed, the starting point. As you extend the slide to its fully extended position, it may wind to 11,12,13,14,15 or so winds depending on how wide the slide is and the diameter of the roller.

Winding the slide to seven turns is easy by hand and very nearly matched the number of turns it took to unwind the tension when I started to work on it.

Start with the seven turns and if you have some additional toppers, turn one of them by hand to see if the tension is similar.

If you don't think the topper is tight enough with the slide fully extended, then wind the roller an additional two turns by hand, if you can do that, then it's safe to set the roller one turn tighter than the seven turns you started with.

Just be sure you keep a full turn margin when fully extended.

THenne1713 · 10-28-2022, 10:31 PM

One owner said awning damage usually limited to first 6-inches, due to sun/weather damage, and rest is all good. Cut off 12", reseam the edge, and reinstall?

Cat320 · 10-29-2022, 08:28 AM

Sunbrella is the best material for toppers. It will last the life of your RV.

THenne1713 · 10-29-2022, 01:14 PM

Carefree gives a chart for length vs #turns; I imagine A&E website has a chart also?

brianh76 · 10-30-2022, 11:53 AM

Yesterday I climbed up a ladder to measure for awning replacement and noticed that I have not actually lost spring tension. The anti-billowing devices on both sides functioned and stopped the tubes from unrolling more than 1-2 to 3/4 of a turn. So things are not as bad as I thought. Thanks to everyone for their help! I still need to install the new awnings when they arrive and much of what I learned on this thread will make that job much easier. Thank you all! Brian

THenne1713 · 10-31-2022, 10:29 AM

When I bought mine, would not rewind but half way; found it was over 8ft, so dual springs, and REAR spring NOT wound. I suspect roof replacement Tech from 2yrs earlier did not wind rear spring, but I converted my Carefree to hand-crank.