Watch Out For Trees

**Chuck.N** · 05-23-2021, 08:59 AM

We're just back from an 83 day, 6,000 mile round trip from AZ to FL and back. I'll bore ya'll with those details in another post. Anyway, we had the pleasure of spending a couple of nights at Indian Creek campground in Louisiana. Beautiful place, though a bit tight for larger rigs.

On our 2nd day there, it was sprinkling in the morning, so I put the large awning out over the side patio on the 399th. Around 10am it seemed the world was crashing down around us, as the awning folded in on itself on the left side facing the coach.

It turns out that a 60lb tree branch decided to break away from the trunk, and fall about 80 feet, directly on the Idler arm assembly. It collapsed the left side of the awning, but didn't touch us, though we were both sitting on the deck when it happened. Nobody hurt, unless you count my heart stopping for a few seconds while my brain tried to assess what just happened.

I got a couple of park staff to help me get the awning stowed. Great people, and tremendously helpful! We never would have been able to stow it ourselves.

No damage to the motor, fabric or roller spring. The pitch control strut was sheared in 2. Somehow the outboard idler cover disappeared. Never did find it. It may have blown off in transit somewhere before this, and I never noticed. Not sure if the main arm assembly was damaged. Can't tell for sure until I roll it back out again. I'm not doing that until the replacement parts come in. It's at least a 2 person job. I just ordered everything that might have broken in terms of structural parts. That came to about $650, plus shipping. Not as bad as it might have been. Unfortunately, the parts are anywhere from 15-30 working days out, according to Carefree, so no shade probably until the end of June.

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EDIT: photo problem solved.

**WhittleBurner** · 05-23-2021, 10:31 AM

OUCH, I might have left some stains on the deck. Sounds like you handled it well and kudos to the people that helped you out. This could have been much worse

**Chuck.N** · 05-23-2021, 10:39 AM

Originally Posted by WhittleBurner

OUCH, I might have left some stains on the deck. Sounds like you handled it well and kudos to the people that helped you out. This could have been much worse

Yeah, it could have been much worse. My jockey shorts didn't survive the event.🤣🤣🤣

**D2Reid** · 05-23-2021, 10:47 AM

Trees happen. I have several good tree stories so I understand what happened. Glad the damage was minimal. If you take the mounting off the wall of the RV be sure to put sealant on when you put it back together.

**Chuck.N** · 05-23-2021, 11:13 AM

Originally Posted by D2Reid

Trees happen. I have several good tree stories so I understand what happened. Glad the damage was minimal. If you take the mounting off the wall of the RV be sure to put sealant on when you put it back together.

I don't think the wall channel needs to come off, assuming the new arm fits in it. I'll leave that decision to the tech. If it needs replacement, we'll seal it.