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Old 11-24-2019, 07:24 PM   #1
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Heads up on Lippert Solara Awnings

When I arrived at the campsite, the last thing I do is extend the awning, All went well and it extended without incident. Then sitting there a few moments later, I glanced at the awning support arms for no particular reason and noticed one of the bolts missing at the point there the control arm meets the main arm. Upon inspection, the other side was crooked, devoid of it's star retainer, ready to fall out. They are secured with star rings. These star rings are pressed on and do not go into any grove in the retaining bolt, which is a specialty flat head bolt with no threads. Think if it as a large solid rivet. Scrounging around in my spare nuts and bolts, I found a get home short bolt of the proper diameter only with threads. I pushed it in the opening and gorilla taped it to keep it from falling out. I inspected the remaining balance on both sides and they were secure. They are used throughout.

Then upon arriving home, one on the other side slipped it's star ring and was barely on the hole only cooked. I left it alone. Tomorrow I'm searching for a better type of fitting and retaining device.

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Old 11-24-2019, 07:30 PM   #2
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Did you happen to take any pictures of this?
(A picture is word one-thousand words...")
Sorry to hear about this issue, and I hope that you can get things back in place quickly!
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Old 11-24-2019, 07:47 PM   #3
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The explanation I offered was clear enough to not need pictures.
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Old 11-24-2019, 09:26 PM   #4
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Bob, sounds like he has it all figured out so apparently doesn't need any comments or suggestions or help. Don't really know why he even posted.
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Old 11-24-2019, 09:43 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cpmath View Post
Bob, sounds like he has it all figured out so apparently doesn't need any comments or suggestions or help. Don't really know why he even posted.
Posted so that others can avoid the problem.
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Old 11-24-2019, 09:51 PM   #6
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He was just giving a Heads Up!
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Old 11-24-2019, 11:00 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nosticks View Post
The explanation I offered was clear enough to not need pictures.
For someone who has seen what you are talking about; for others, not so much. Pictures would give an even better "heads up".
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Old 11-24-2019, 11:15 PM   #8
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He's way too smart to need any suggestions or help from this group
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Old 11-25-2019, 12:27 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nosticks View Post
The explanation I offered was clear enough to not need pictures.
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Old 11-25-2019, 02:53 AM   #10
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All of you play nice
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Old 11-25-2019, 03:42 AM   #11
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nosticks - Thanks for the post. I'll check my awning.

Well I tried but I could not come up with a problem or a picture- could be a long night.....
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Old 11-25-2019, 11:58 AM   #12
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No problem and no picture: no problem!
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Old 11-30-2019, 08:49 PM   #13
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From truck camper tie downs (I was first president of North American Truck Camper Owners Association) to slide mechanisms, to trailer frames, I have never been that impressed with Lippert products. When i compare stuff they make to stuff Torklift out of Seatlle makes, I am even less impressed.
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Old 11-30-2019, 09:22 PM   #14
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I'm not quite sure what he's talking about, but the Lippert arms are not adequate. They are friction adjustable and wear out in a few short months. They need to have a screw to tighten the adjustment in place. As far as the bolt/pin, replace it with a bolt and self locking nut instead of the pound on keeper.
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Old 11-30-2019, 11:38 PM   #15
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Call the manufacturer. Poorly constructed & those are not cheap!
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Old 12-01-2019, 02:03 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nosticks View Post
The explanation I offered was clear enough to not need pictures.
wow.
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Old 12-01-2019, 02:06 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nosticks View Post
The explanation I offered was clear enough to not need pictures.
Incorrect. If it was sufficient, you wouldn't have yielded the question.

Work together or work alone.

The choice is yours...
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Old 12-01-2019, 01:46 PM   #18
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I had Lippert replace them twice. I replaced them with the ones the other companies use with hand screws that you tighten, only trouble is, the gas shocks are about a 1/2 inch to long so you have to push the arms in when you close the awning.
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Old 12-01-2019, 02:17 PM   #19
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While your solution may last longer: is it worth all of that extra effort?
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Old 12-01-2019, 02:43 PM   #20
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This is the awning support arm. Notice the discolored area surrounding the pin. The pin is held in place by a star washer that acts as a keeper. It is missing. The pin can and does fall out without this keeper. Three of the four on mine were in this condition.

I thought about 5/8" machine screws with nylock nuts to replace the pins but there is not enough clearance on the inside of the arm to retract due to the thickness of the machine screw head. This is why they used pins and the star keepers.

A better solution is needed. I will continue to pursue solutions. Next to try is a round head screw having the thickness of the pin head. Probably 5/8 x 3/4" long.

If you are at all curious, I'll post what I find that works.

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