Awning Coming Off???

**2hams** · 06-16-2014, 08:33 AM

Jim and Cal -

We had the dealer address the awning while we were there for repair from the blowout.

Here are the notes from my receipt -- for items covered under warranty. "5/31 Need to add more screws or remove and replace, please check to see what Grand Design wants done" and "/11 Reinstalled rail, added rivets to help secure".

We just picked it up Friday, and have not yet extended the awning -- will be going out in a couple of weeks and will see how well it works. (Actually, a campout with the dealer so they will also see

**campinfool** · 06-16-2014, 06:06 PM

Dropped off at the dealer today which is about 40 miles away. After driving there the leading edge was peeled back about 18" land the back edge was about 14". After talking to the service guy I am afraid that they are going to add more holes to our unit. I am very concerned and not happy about this. We'll see how this turns out. I also gave them a punch list of smaller items too as long as the unit was there.

**Bbirds14** · 06-20-2014, 05:44 PM

My awning is just now starting to come away from the track. I'm watching it carefully, as I won't be back home until November with the RV. I don't leave it out when I'm not at the camper and close it at night if weather forecast indicates any possibility of gusty winds so hope it's ok until I get it bak to the dealership this fall for any issues, etc.

**campinfool** · 06-24-2014, 09:37 PM

Well, not so good news to report. Dealer called and said the camper was repaired so we drove in to get it. Started to back under to hitch up and the service manager is waiving at me to stop. Seems as though the awning repair they did is not holding on either end after sitting for one day. I look at the awning where the strip is attached to the side of the camper and it is pulling away again as if they had not done anything to it. I asked what they did to repair it and they said that they added expanding rivets per GD's instructions. So now I have a camper that I have spent ten nights in and deployed the awning twice that looks like Swiss cheese where the awning rail is supposed to be attached. I am so mad right now I can't even think straight. We are leaving for a two week trip and I am not sure the awning will stay attached driving down the road let alone putting it out and using it.

I checked Lippert's website for installation instructions and though they are pretty vague they do state that on laminated sidewalls there should be a backer plate to screw into the entire length or use expanding rivets on the entire rail strip. Why in the world is GD using short sheet metal screws? I took a look around the dealer lot while I was waiting for them to put a Band-Aid on my camper and noticed that a very high percentage of other manufacturers extend the awning rail at least a foot at both ends of the awning. I also took a look at the five GD products on the lot and four of them the awning strip was pulling from either one or both ends. If you look at the photos posted on this thread you will notice that there is clear caulking on the bottom side of the awning, hmmmm I wonder why they would caulk the under side of the awning? The caulking stops where the awning strip is not pulled away from the wall which indicates they knew it was not correct but caulked it and shipped it anyway. Both ends of mine are the same way.

I feel that GD has a real problem here and needs to step up and make the correct repairs before the warranty period runs out. Adding rivets to a poor design and poor installation technique is not the answer.

**Bbirds14** · 06-26-2014, 01:43 PM

Oh my. Sorry to read. My track is ok, it's the awning fabric starting to come out of the track. It sounds like your entire awning system needs to be reinstalled with the track coming away on both sides. As responsive as GD has been, surely they will make all necessary corrections. I hope all will be ok until you get back and have had more discussion with GD folks.

**Mr Lucky** · 06-26-2014, 06:37 PM

Another major issue. Add this to my list when I do my PDI. Things sure looked better when I was getting ready to order mine at the end of April. Every week it's something new to worry about. I might just give up my deposit and keep what I got.

**Bbirds14** · 06-27-2014, 06:23 AM

Good morning, Mr Lucky. Even though I've had a couple of small issues and questions; Grand Design customer service has been awesome and I Love my RV. I did put together a list of things to look closely at (based on previous knowledge and what I've read on this forum -which is excellent)..., as well as the dealership did a super job in getting the RV ready for me. That in itself, is very important. I'd be sure you have an understanding with the dealership that the "deposit" is 100% refundable and is based on your acceptance of the RV "after" you have inspected it and they have prepped it to be sure everything is in order and to your satisfaction. But, my friends have a Solitude and I have a Reflections and we couldn't be more Happy with our RV's. Best to you in whatever you decide to do.

**Canyonlight** · 07-04-2014, 07:17 AM

Our awning track is pulling away from the rv at both bottom ends. The front is pulled away about 18" and the rear about 8". The original owner never used the awning nor have we except when I washed the rv several weeks ago. I wonder if highway speed winds are an issue or it is simply not secured effectively by GD. I would be interested in hearing frome janice or others at GD. Have a great July 4th all !

**Dave and Monica** · 07-04-2014, 08:55 AM

Looking at the pictures 2hams posted (post #3) and the awning installation on our 337, a couple of things come to mind.

The awning strip is attached to the side of the camper is attached with screws all along it's top edge...the bottom edge has been siliconed about 6" long at both ends...no other means of attachment. Because the awning strip is lower than the centerline of the awning tube, the fabric path is upwards at the end of the retract cycle. Any extra torque or fabric tension at the end of the retract cycle will pull the bottom of the awning track away from the camper's wall...extra torque/tension when the outer awning arms fits over the inner when there's poor fabric alignment or just from holding the retract button too long. It would appear that the awning strip needs to be more securely attached at it's bottom edge on both ends...don't know if that's feasible with strip that's being used.

Dave

**WhittleBurner** · 07-04-2014, 10:02 AM

Well we are now on the list of the awning pulling away .
The leading edge only. The trailers going in to the dealer soon as we get home next week for the locks to be changed so I gave them a heads up about the awning. Talking to our service rep it sounds like we are the first to come to them with this issue