Replace awning fabric

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Traveling - 13 Nov 2006 19:19 GMT

I've googled on how to replace an awning fabric for a 17' A&E 8500
awning. The pages I've found detail a very complicated job that involves
up to 4 people.

All I want to do is replace the fabric, not the awning hardware. Would
the following work??

Removing existing Fabric

1. Open the awning to almost the fully lowered position.
2. Cut off the existing fabric at the rail anchored at the motorhome.
3. Pull the small remaining fabric from the awing rail on the motorhome
3. Cut off the existing fabric at the roller tube.
4. Pull the remaining fabric from the roller tube out the channel on the
roller assembly.

Installing New Fabric

1. Slide new fabric into the awning rail on the MH while sliding the
bottom of the awning into the roller tube. (This would probably require
another set of hands)
2. Fully extend the awning the rest of the way to tighten the fabric.
3. Retract the awning.

Have I oversimplified the process? What have I missed? I know someone
out there has been through it.

Your thoughts

Thanks,

Traveling

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Frank Tabor - 13 Nov 2006 19:49 GMT

>I've googled on how to replace an awning fabric for a 17' A&E 8500
>awning. The pages I've found detail a very complicated job that involves
[quoted text clipped - 28 lines]
>
>Traveling

You have to take the end cap off the roller tube to properly install
the fabric. This requires unloading the roll up spring, hence the
detailed instructions. Plus, those springs can break and arm if not
properly handled. If you aren't really up to it, a RV place can do it
for you at reasonable price.

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Randy G. - 14 Nov 2006 06:21 GMT

>You have to take the end cap off the roller tube to properly install
>the fabric. This requires unloading the roll up spring, hence the
>detailed instructions. Plus, those springs can break and arm if not
>properly handled. If you aren't really up to it, a RV place can do it
>for you at reasonable price.

As Frank stated, the end cap has to come off at least one end of the
roller tube because the end caps cover the end of the slot in the
roller tube that the fabric goes into. To remove the cap means that
the tension on the spring has to be relieved. I have replaced the
springs on my overhead track garage door and can tell you that these
types of torsion springs hold a lot of potential energy. Remember that
even in the retracted position that spring has enough force to hold
the awning against the motor home... mostly. The further you pull the
awning away from the home the more energy is stored. My advice is that
if you do not feel comfortable doing it per the correct instructions,
step by step, exactly as supplied, let a professional do it- it's
cheaper than a broken wrist...
From Randy & Val
1990 30' Rexhal Airex

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Rich256 - 14 Nov 2006 19:24 GMT

>> You have to take the end cap off the roller tube to properly install
>> the fabric. This requires unloading the roll up spring, hence the
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
> From Randy & Val
> 1990 30' Rexhal Airex

With the roller nearly all the way up the tension is not very large.
Easy to hold with a vice grip, but as you say it could still break some
bones. Don't let go until the tension is off!! That spinning wrench
could at a minimum take off some flesh or break some fingers. (I think
it has about 10 turns on it at that position)!!! The hard part is to
support the roller about a foot away from the trailer. That alone
almost takes a couple people.

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Hustlin' Hank - 14 Nov 2006 23:14 GMT

> I've googled on how to replace an awning fabric for a 17' A&E 8500
> awning. The pages I've found detail a very complicated job that involves
[quoted text clipped - 28 lines]
>
> Traveling

I am wondering if a slot can be cut into the endcap to allow the awning
to slide out, then replace with a plug, screw or etc.. Or, drill a hole
about 45 degrees at the end of if slot to allow the awning to slip out.

I saw this done to replace the pull-down strap.

Hank <~~~ain't afraid to try different ways

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Rich256 - 15 Nov 2006 03:03 GMT

>> I've googled on how to replace an awning fabric for a 17' A&E 8500
>> awning. The pages I've found detail a very complicated job that involves
[quoted text clipped - 36 lines]
>
> Hank <~~~ain't afraid to try different ways

The pull down strap is already in an open slot. No cutting or drilling
required.

Removing the cap is not the big deal. Taking the tension off the
springs takes some care. I found that holding the rollers up while
removing the cap was the biggest job.

With a little care that is not hard. Drilling out the old rivet is
easy. You buy a pop rivet gun to put the cap back on and that is cheap.
I got one at Harbor Freight for about $4. I think I had to go to
Sears to find the right size rivet. My problem was just that the little
spring that held the ratchet had broke.

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Rich256 - 15 Nov 2006 15:34 GMT

>>> I've googled on how to replace an awning fabric for a 17' A&E 8500
>>> awning. The pages I've found detail a very complicated job that involves
[quoted text clipped - 49 lines]
> to find the right size rivet. My problem was just that the little
> spring that held the ratchet had broke.

I think I made a mistake about the rivets. I had to replace a lock
lever once too and am getting repair hardware mixed up.

As I remember you want to clearly mark the position of the cap on the
roller before removing it.

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Traveling - 16 Nov 2006 02:05 GMT

I did forget about the end cap blocking the slot but it sounds as though
his idea of cutting a slot in the end cap would work. Has anyone ever
done it???

Traveling

On Nov 13, 2:19 pm, "Traveling" <rvparked-newsr...@yahoo.com> wrote:

> I've googled on how to replace an awning fabric for a 17' A&E 8500
> awning. The pages I've found detail a very complicated job that
[quoted text clipped - 32 lines]
>
> Traveling

Reply to this Message

RichA - 15 Nov 2006 04:04 GMT

>I've googled on how to replace an awning fabric for a 17' A&E 8500
>awning. The pages I've found detail a very complicated job that involves
[quoted text clipped - 28 lines]
>
>Traveling

Hi,
Removing the old awning fabric is not a big deal. Problem you have to
remove at least one end cap to get the old awning out of the roller tube
and put the new one in. Problem if there is nothing holding the tube it
is going to unwind when you remove the old awning material allowing the
tube to turn so you have to wind up the tension spring anyway. Problem
getting the new awning material in the slot on the tube with the end cap
on even if you cut a slot in the end cap, with the awning end caps and
arms still hooked up. You have to be careful putting the awning
material back in the slot so you don't damage it, same when putting it
back onto the awning rail. Problem getting the other end of the awning
in the awning rail on the motor home with the awning still in place, you
would have to put both ends in the tue and rail at the same time. None
of the above is insurmountable for sure but it's probably just as easy
to do it how it's shown here.
http://www.rverscorner.com/RV_Awning_Repair.html

I replaced an awning tube once. It takes about an hour to take the
tube off and get the awning material out, put the awning material back
on and put the tube back on. If you have two or three people who know
what they are doing. Figure a couple or three hours if you don't.
Those torsion springs can pack a real wallop if you are not careful. A
good medium to large vise grip pliers is highly recommended. Be
careful.

Take care and Happy Campin...

Signature

RichA
"We Get Too Soon Olde and Too Late Smart"

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Chris Bryant - 17 Nov 2006 23:02 GMT

TRe-attachhhhhh wrote:

> I've googled on how to replace an awning fabric for a 17' A&E 8500
> awhorsesThe pages I've found detail a very complicated job that involves
> up to 4 people.
>
> All I want to do is replace the fabric, not the awning hardware. Would
> the following work??

Here's the way I do it, FWIW...

* Open awning, set up saw horses, disconnect bottom feet of awning, lay
roller tube on saw harses (with awning extended).

*Release tension from roller tube springs- one at a time, grab the end cap
with vise grips, remove bolt holding end cap in to arm, unwind (when you
are done with one, put it back in the arm with the rafter to hold the
awning out)- count the number of turns to unwind..

*Drill out the rivets on the end caps & spring assembly- remove end caps and
spring assemblies- A&E wraps the awning cord under each end cap, so both
must be removed.

*Slide roller tube off awning.

*Remove one (either end) upper bracket (see which end is easiest to slide
awning off and the new one back on).

*Slide new awning fabric in to awning rail on coach.

*Slide roller tube on to new fabric (watch to make sure you don't tear
fabric in both steps).

*Rivet both end caps back on.

*Re-attach top bracket.

*Put arms back on.

* Wind springs one at a time- I usually put an extra wind over what I
removed.

*Put arms back in lower brackets- roll awning up and adjust side to side-
roll up and down a few times, then put screws through awning rail to hold
fabric.

*Have a beer.

- --
Chris Bryant
http://bryantrv.com
http://rx4rv.com

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