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11-24-2019, 07:24 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Freedom Elite 29fe
State: Florida
Posts: 700
THOR #4656
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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.
__________________
Making a smooth transition to senility for over 70 years
2017 Freedom Elite 29fe
2015 Jeep Wrangler Toad
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11-24-2019, 07:30 PM
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#2
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I Think We're Lost!
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
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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!
__________________
"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
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11-24-2019, 07:47 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Freedom Elite 29fe
State: Florida
Posts: 700
THOR #4656
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The explanation I offered was clear enough to not need pictures.
__________________
Making a smooth transition to senility for over 70 years
2017 Freedom Elite 29fe
2015 Jeep Wrangler Toad
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11-24-2019, 09:26 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 22FE
State: New York
Posts: 373
THOR #5330
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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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11-24-2019, 09:43 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Freedom Elite 29fe
State: Florida
Posts: 700
THOR #4656
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cpmath
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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Posted so that others can avoid the problem.
__________________
Making a smooth transition to senility for over 70 years
2017 Freedom Elite 29fe
2015 Jeep Wrangler Toad
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11-24-2019, 09:51 PM
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#6
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Site Team
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 24.1 Windjammer
State: Illinois
Posts: 1,179
THOR #7074
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He was just giving a Heads Up!
__________________
Rev. Jeffrey 2017 Thor Axis 24.1 E450 Windjammer.
Silver Safe-T-Plus Steering Control
SSF-106-40 SumoSprings Solo Front Bump Stop SSR-107-47 SumoSprings Rear Bump Stop
Hellwig 7718 Front Sway Bar & 7180 Rear Sway Bar
Koni FSD Front Shocks 8805-1042 / Koni FSD Rear Shocks 8805-1043
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11-24-2019, 11:00 PM
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#7
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Site Team
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 27.1
State: Florida
Posts: 14,116
THOR #7035
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nosticks
The explanation I offered was clear enough to not need pictures.
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For someone who has seen what you are talking about; for others, not so much. Pictures would give an even better "heads up".
__________________
Ted & Melinda
2016 ACE 27.1
2016 Chevy Sonic Toad - Selling
2020 Chevy Colorado Z71 Trail Runner Toad
2024 Chevrolet Trax 2RS - Soon 2B TOAD
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11-24-2019, 11:15 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Brand: DRV
Model: 44' Santa Fe
State: Montana
Posts: 392
THOR #2053
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He's way too smart to need any suggestions or help from this group
__________________
If you are afraid to speak the truth out of fear of what others may think, it says a lot about who you are and what you will settle for.
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11-25-2019, 12:27 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Four Winds 31E (2019)
State: California
Posts: 249
THOR #12270
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nosticks
The explanation I offered was clear enough to not need pictures.
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11-25-2019, 02:53 AM
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#10
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Site Team
Brand: Crossroads
Model: CF32BL
State: Mississippi
Posts: 1,030
THOR #121
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All of you play nice
__________________
Frank and Janet Henn
2008 CrossRoads CF32Bl pushing a 2007 Dodge 2500
Traveling with Hoover, Rainbow and Sunshine
The wonder Schnauzers
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11-25-2019, 03:42 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2016 Siesta Sprinter 24ST
State: Florida
Posts: 602
THOR #2812
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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.....
__________________
U.S. Coast Guard retired- 1956-1985
Pensacola, Florida
2016 Siesta 24ST
1972 Moto Guzzi Eldorado
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11-25-2019, 11:58 AM
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#12
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I Think We're Lost!
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
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No problem and no picture: no problem!
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11-30-2019, 08:49 PM
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#13
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Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: British Columbia
Posts: 50
THOR #12644
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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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11-30-2019, 09:22 PM
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#14
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Member
Brand: Dutchmen
State: Michigan
Posts: 41
THOR #2904
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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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11-30-2019, 11:38 PM
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#15
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Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Florida
Posts: 31
THOR #16806
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Call the manufacturer. Poorly constructed & those are not cheap!
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12-01-2019, 02:03 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Brand: Still Looking
State: Texas
Posts: 200
THOR #13816
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nosticks
The explanation I offered was clear enough to not need pictures.
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wow.
__________________
S.O.B.
Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport
Blue Ox Avail w/Blue Ox Patriot 3 Brake System
Safe-T-Plus steering stabilizer, Koni shocks
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12-01-2019, 02:06 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Chateau 31L
State: Florida
Posts: 2,063
THOR #12189
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nosticks
The explanation I offered was clear enough to not need pictures.
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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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12-01-2019, 01:46 PM
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#18
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Member
Brand: Dutchmen
State: Michigan
Posts: 41
THOR #2904
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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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12-01-2019, 02:17 PM
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#19
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I Think We're Lost!
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
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While your solution may last longer: is it worth all of that extra effort?
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12-01-2019, 02:43 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Freedom Elite 29fe
State: Florida
Posts: 700
THOR #4656
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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.
__________________
Making a smooth transition to senility for over 70 years
2017 Freedom Elite 29fe
2015 Jeep Wrangler Toad
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