Solitude 379FL Awning Placement

[Al~and~Dave]

Looking for a solution to the awning arm placed too close to the front door.

It is fine if you plan to leave the awning closed. The fact that the control panel is at the back door, it is only a matter of time before someone forgets about closing that front door before extending the awning.

Once the awning is out, the door bangs against the arm. Once again, only a matter of time before the door/paint is damaged.

What about one of those little chains we used to have on our screen doors? or a gas strut? or an L-shaped door latch?

Thoughts? What shall we do in the meantime?

In any case, it is a design flaw which needs to be addressed.

Thanks,

Alison and Dave
2015 Solitude 379FL
2013 GMC 3500HD SRW CC 6.6 Duramax

[tcheveldave]

Totally agreed. I cannot believe that a high-end unit has such a design flaw. We had to stuff a piece of cardboard in our door to keep it open. It still bangs up against the awning arm but it does not slam shut if there is a bit of a breeze.

[Stuts]

After talking to Marc Hauser at GD, he provided the perfect solution for this and that is the Gas Strut. I've provide pictures of my install.

-Scott

[Al~and~Dave]

I was given another solution which allows for a choice of the door to be opened back when the awning is retracted. This 90 bracket is placed next to the current one.

Either way I will have to have it installed which means a trek to the dealer.

Thanks,

Alison and David
Georgia, VT
2015 Solitude 379FL
2013 GMC 3500HD SRW CC 6.6 Duramax

[GDRV Service]

Looking for a solution to the awning arm placed too close to the front door.

It is fine if you plan to leave the awning closed. The fact that the control panel is at the back door, it is only a matter of time before someone forgets about closing that front door before extending the awning.

Once the awning is out, the door bangs against the arm. Once again, only a matter of time before the door/paint is damaged.

What about one of those little chains we used to have on our screen doors? or a gas strut? or an L-shaped door latch?

Thoughts? What shall we do in the meantime?

In any case, it is a design flaw which needs to be addressed.

Thanks,

Alison and Dave
2015 Solitude 379FL
2013 GMC 3500HD SRW CC 6.6 Duramax

Hi Dave and Alison (@Al~and~Dave),

We are in the process of adding a strut to the top of the entry door to address this concern. This is something your dealer can do (or you can do) if you like. See attached photo of same application on another model.



Best regards,
~ Janice

[Beartoy]

Janice

Is this strut a piece GD will send to 379FL owners? I can install it myself or is it dealer installed only?

[ohman_stm]

Janice

Is this strut a piece GD will send to 379FL owners? I can install it myself or is it dealer installed only?

Janice, I too am interested in this solution!!!! "Pretty Please". Also would like to hear some details if there is a recommended mount point in the camper shell, and what screws do you recommend to ENSURE this doesn't eventually separate/strip over time.

[droidguru]

Just a warning, our old unit had a gas strut over the rear door (this was not a Grand Design) one day the screws ripped out of the camper. I took it to the dealer for a repair and two weeks later the same thing happened. Without boring you with the rest of the very long story, I ended up removing it and patching up the holes. Just something to think about prior to install especially if you use the door often and are planning to keep the camper for many years.

[Al~and~Dave]

The more that I think about it, the less I want the gas strut. I like to be able to open the door right back when we first arrive. Often times it is too windy to have the awning out, yet warm enough to have the door open. We will consider the 90 bracket next year.
Thank you for all of the information.

[Dave and Monica]

Just a warning, our old unit had a gas strut over the rear door (this was not a Grand Design) one day the screws ripped out of the camper. I took it to the dealer for a repair and two weeks later the same thing happened. Without boring you with the rest of the very long story, I ended up removing it and patching up the holes. Just something to think about prior to install especially if you use the door often and are planning to keep the camper for many years.

I'll second that. Last camper was a Rockwood had the door strut and the screws stripped out on the door side. Ended up attaching the door side bracket with bolts/nuts through the door frame. It was a vey common failure on the Rockwood/Flagstaff 5vers.

Dave