Awning Damaged by Wind - Can't Close It

[Frogger321]

Our awning arm was damaged by a brief thunderstorm that went through the campground while we were away. We returned to find the frame on one side bent quite badly and the roller coupling at the end of the awning bent also. See pics for details. Now it's way out of line. We can't open the door more than halfway or it scrapes on the awning. The awning won't retract - it just clicks. The vinyl part of the awning isn't damaged. We obviously can't tow it. We're at a national park in Michigan and are here for over a week, so we don't need to leave right away. This is a new trailer - only our third camping trip. Obviously we need to contact insurance, but what's the next steps? Any suggestions are appreciated!

[livinthelife]

Our awning arm was damaged by a brief thunderstorm that went through the campground while we were away. We returned to find the frame on one side bent quite badly and the roller coupling at the end of the awning bent also. See pics for details. Now it's way out of line. We can't open the door more than halfway or it scrapes on the awning. The awning won't retract - it just clicks. The vinyl part of the awning isn't damaged. We obviously can't tow it. We're at a national park in Michigan and are here for over a week, so we don't need to leave right away. This is a new trailer - only our third camping trip. Obviously we need to contact insurance, but what's the next steps? Any suggestions are appreciated!

Unless you can find a mobile tech who can fix it for you, and that's somewhat doubtful as National Parks don't allow all mobile techs to work within park limits, it seems to me that you'll have to remove the awning yourself to transport the rig to a facility that will fix it.

You've now learned a valuable lesson - don't leave awning out when away.

[Frogger321]

Thanks for the info. Yes we beat ourselves up for leaving it open. We are usually vigilant about closing it, but made the mistake of believing a weather report that said any precipitation would be north. We were heading back to the rig when the storm broke. We missed being there by 5 miles. We will close it every time now.

[NB Canada]

Bend it back

Take it apart and use an axe or whatever you have on hand and bend the metal back in line
Won’t be perfect but it may get you home

Goodluck with insurance though
Can’t imagine them covering an awning


2021 Imagine 2400 BH
2018 GMC Sierra 4x4 crew

[CaptPicardo]

Our awning arm was damaged by a brief thunderstorm that went through the campground while we were away. We returned to find the frame on one side bent quite badly and the roller coupling at the end of the awning bent also. See pics for details. Now it's way out of line. We can't open the door more than halfway or it scrapes on the awning. The awning won't retract - it just clicks. The vinyl part of the awning isn't damaged. We obviously can't tow it. We're at a national park in Michigan and are here for over a week, so we don't need to leave right away. This is a new trailer - only our third camping trip. Obviously we need to contact insurance, but what's the next steps? Any suggestions are appreciated!

Sorry to hear of the trouble Frogger. One crazy thought I had for your situation is call Grand Design or LCI (sounds like it's still under warranty), have them ship you a whole new replacement awning. Have it sent to the closest UPS store if it can't come to the campground. Take the old one off and install the new one. Here's one YouTube video on it but it looks like there are a dozen other videos. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_v-ksAe3kgo. I did something similar to get a hydac hydraulic valve for jackstand (only difference was they shipped directly to RV Park).

[Frogger321]

Thank you so much! I will call them tomorrow.

[NB Canada]

Sorry to hear of the trouble Frogger. One crazy thought I had for your situation is call Grand Design or LCI (sounds like it's still under warranty), have them ship you a whole new replacement awning. Have it sent to the closest UPS store if it can't come to the campground. Take the old one off and install the new one. Here's one YouTube video on it but it looks like there are a dozen other videos. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_v-ksAe3kgo. I did something similar to get a hydac hydraulic valve for jackstand (only difference was they shipped directly to RV Park).

Warranty?

For wind damage?

Never happen


2021 Imagine 2400 BH
2018 GMC Sierra 4x4 crew

[CaptPicardo]

Warranty?

For wind damage?

Never happen


2021 Imagine 2400 BH
2018 GMC Sierra 4x4 crew

Agree that's a really tough putt, but every now and then customer support will surprise me. Even if they don't cover it I think they could ship out a new part, but fair point, you may have to eat 100% of the cost on this little booboo.

[Riverbug]

Ratchet straps are your friend. It's wrecked already so forcing it closed if you can and strapping it enough to hold till you get someplace to remove it is all you can do if you can't remove and haul it away. Such a bummer, but things happen.

[Ynot4me2]

******** happens, we all get rushed, distracted.... as others mentioned, try and force straight enough so you can get it back in enough to get home. Tie wraps, ratchet straps.... what ever it takes. Worse case is to disassemble it completely and store it in the tt for your trip home. Try and salvage the parts that aren't bent. BTW, we just got back from quick get away and we had one of those distracting neighbors. You know the kind that wants to help but never does anything but talk and talk and talk while your trying to get things done. On the second day, we were going hiking at a near by park and we were such in a hurry to leave (avoid him) that I forgot mine open also.

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