Awning FAIL

FstopMiami · 10-14-2019, 07:38 PM

This weekend was stellar, Oceanview camping in the Florida keys, almost perfect weather, great food and even better company. Then for less than five minutes it starts to lightly rain is it normally does this time of year in this area, 1 minute later the awning vertical support rips from the motorhome........ They used 3/8s self taping nuts without washers , I found out the hard way that this is the weak point of the system. About an hour later and after drilling out the rivets holding the arm together I was able to re attach and close the arm with zip ties and paracord. I emailed the factory and they would not give me any part numbers and instead told me to call the dealer which I did and received three different part numbers for what is basically one part. I ended up calling Carefree off Colorado where they told me that my Longitude awning was no longer being made and was replaced by the Carefree. Both arms have been ordered so I am hoping that they are correct......... Moral of the story is that the awning can only be used in better than optimal conditions , no wind and no rain..... Venting is over.........

Armando

The Gritz Carlton · 10-14-2019, 09:37 PM

The awning is designed specifically for rain and sun protection...not "higher than a light breeze" winds.

Bob Denman · 10-14-2019, 09:50 PM

Sorry to hear that your beautiful weekend ended up with a "Bug in the Lemonade"...

But Gritz is right: you've got to keep an eye on the wind...

FstopMiami · 10-14-2019, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Gritz Carlton

The awning is designed specifically for rain and sun protection...not "higher than a light breeze" winds.

You would think that, I believe I had enough slope to let the "light" rain runoff (See picture) so either it wasn't enough slope or the weight of the water caused ponding and subsequent failure which I don't think it should have by design. Which leads to the point of failure, the aluminum extrusion that is attached to the wall off the MH is fairly thing gauge, there are 4 3/8" self taping bolts on each. The aluminum extrusion failed on the upper 2 which is where most of the strain would be, washers would or a larger headed bolt would have helped the situation greatly .

Bob Denman · 10-14-2019, 09:55 PM

We've got a Carefree awning with a wind sensor...
But my own person level of discomfort always kicks in before it does!

We wind things in at the first sign of rain, or anything more than a light breeze.

FstopMiami · 10-14-2019, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

We've got a Carefree awning with a wind sensor...
But my own person level of discomfort always kicks in before it does!

We wind things in at the first sign of rain, or anything more than a light breeze.

Going forward it is exactly what we will have to do, I will also reinforce the uprights when I install the 2 new arms.........

Armando

Bob Denman · 10-14-2019, 10:42 PM

Good luck with the reinforcing process!

Please take some pictures for the rest of us!

FstopMiami · 10-14-2019, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

Good luck with the reinforcing process!

Please take some pictures for the rest of us!

Bob

Thank you and I will, One week for the new arms to get here.......

Armando

The Gritz Carlton · 10-14-2019, 10:47 PM

The palm trees in your picture tell conditions. They are dancing!

Lt Keefer · 10-14-2019, 10:48 PM

I have learned to rarely use the awning on any of my RVs. To me the awning has always been a week link in my outdoor plans.

FstopMiami · 10-14-2019, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Gritz Carlton

The palm trees in your picture tell conditions. They are dancing!

Deceiving as they are hurricane damaged.....

Bob Denman · 10-14-2019, 10:49 PM

I was thinking the same thing...

We all can learn plenty from our own mistakes

... but if we can learn from the mistakes that other people make: it doesn't hurt so much!

The Gritz Carlton · 10-14-2019, 10:51 PM

Wow...looks very active now. I love your paint job. Hope no one tried to ride under the pier.

Ron1Z · 10-14-2019, 10:52 PM

We have the wind sensor also and glad we do. We went on a long bike ride, weather was calm and sunny, about 20 min into our ride the wind and rain started, by the time we got back to the coach the awning rolled itself in. Greatful
Heading to the Keys the first week of November.

FstopMiami · 10-14-2019, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Gritz Carlton

Wow...looks very active now. I love your paint job. Hope no one tried to ride under the pier.

Thats a wrap on the back of the coach of one of my photos...... I ordered a wind sensor as well , lets see how "Dummy Proof" I can make this thing.....

Armando

Bob Denman · 10-15-2019, 11:25 AM

I've never found anything that was able to thwart me...[I]

dudlyd · 10-23-2019, 06:45 PM

I have a 2018 ACE our awning on one side failed due to the fact they did not put the lag bolts all the way in must have had the impact on 1

FstopMiami · 10-23-2019, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dudlyd

I have a 2018 ACE our awning on one side failed due to the fact they did not put the lag bolts all the way in must have had the impact on 1

Ours failed at the upright support , either the lag bolts should have had washers and or the aluminum support should be a thicker gauge metal, the bolt head pulled thru the thin aluminum.....

Phil Saran · 10-23-2019, 06:50 PM

I'm surprised Carefree would even talk to you. They usually require that you
go through a dealer/shop.

FstopMiami · 10-23-2019, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil Saran

I'm surprised Carefree would even talk to you. They usually require that you
go through a dealer/shop.

Nothing surprises me anymore ....... They were very helpful and hopefully the new arms ordered will work. Delivery is tomorrow .

Armando

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