Lippert awning question

[huntindog]

I've never seen this in an owner's manual or hear it from a salesman. I was given this information by a long time full-timer RVer. He told me he learned the hard way, replacing 5 of these shocks until a tech told him how to own and close his awning.

Seeing as how My experience over 10 years had no failures, and the fact that such struts are used on many things besides awnings (automobile hoods, hatchbacks tool boxes etc,) all of which are normally used without a pause......
I feel pretty comfortable calling internet B.S. on this.

[Hoopy Frood]

Seeing as how My experience over 10 years had no failures, and the fact that such struts are used on many things besides awnings (automobile hoods, hatchbacks tool boxes etc,) all of which are normally used without a pause......
I feel pretty comfortable calling internet B.S. on this.

That's a bit stronger than I was thinking , but I was pretty sure it was an old RV tech's tale.

[Kim n Ted]

Pick up our new 2022 grand design imagine and brought it home after a couple rainy days I extended the awning out went back into the house and came back out about 15 minutes later and the left side arm of the awning was pitched so the awning was almost hitting the door when you opened the door I straightened it backup but then 15 minutes later it had dropped again about 6" not sure what the problem is could it be the strut I'm just not sure anybody out there with a suggestion

Our brand new Imagine 22MLE has the same issue with unwanted dipping of the Solera awning lead arm. I alerted GDRV and provided photos, noting that the conical Belleville washer on that arm had collapsed and no longer provided the requisite friction to hold the weight. GDRV have escalated my concern to Lippert and I await their response now. I am hopeful that I can DIY the problem once they send me the proper washer. Tried to source one locally without success.

[NB Canada]

Mine does the same thing. Front side collapses immediately. I haven’t attempted to tighten it because I want it that way
I lower the back side to match and install my supports and tie it down
Has been out in extreme coastal wind and heavy downpours without issue
IMO with rain both arms should be lowered not just one
YMMV

[Soundsailor]

Mine does the same thing. Front side collapses immediately. I haven’t attempted to tighten it because I want it that way
I lower the back side to match and install my supports and tie it down
Has been out in extreme coastal wind and heavy downpours without issue
IMO with rain both arms should be lowered not just one
YMMV

Love to hear more about your supports. Did you make those yourself? From the picture, they look pretty cool.

[tgskiman]

Just contacted the dealer's service department. They told me it could be a bad piston. This is brand new. You think it would have been tested at the factory.

I had the exact same problem and the dealer will be replacing. I'm with you...very surprised this wasn't tested.

[more tired since retired]

I had the exact same problem and the dealer will be replacing. I'm with you...very surprised this wasn't tested.

Please explain how you think they should be tested. Understand it would probably double the price of each unit to have someone test them more than they already are and even then there still would be failures.

Why do you expect everything will work perfectly, never failing?

[tgskiman]

Please explain how you think they should be tested. Understand it would probably double the price of each unit to have someone test them more than they already are and even then there still would be failures.

Why do you expect everything will work perfectly, never failing?

It failed day one so I'm just surprised that they wouldn't open the awning as part of the final build check, that is all. I was more referring to more overall build quality/testing rather than better testing of the individual component.

[more tired since retired]

It failed day one so I'm just surprised that they wouldn't open the awning as part of the final build check, that is all. I was more referring to more overall build quality/testing rather than better testing of the individual component.

I'll bet money the awning was opened and closed several times prior to delivery to you. I know when I had my walk-thru, the tech did that twice, showing me to open it about 1/3 of the way, stop and wait a few seconds and then finish running it out. We've had our unit 3 years now and haven't had an issue with the awning. My guess is the awning was run out without stopping several times. These are gas only struts, not like the hydraulic/gas type in trucks and cars. There is nothing lubricating the seals and any abuse, especially if they have been sitting in high heat or cold can damage the piston seals.

[tgskiman]

I'll bet money the awning was opened and closed several times prior to delivery to you. I know when I had my walk-thru, the tech did that twice, showing me to open it about 1/3 of the way, stop and wait a few seconds and then finish running it out. We've had our unit 3 years now and haven't had an issue with the awning. My guess is the awning was run out without stopping several times. These are gas only struts, not like the hydraulic/gas type in trucks and cars. There is nothing lubricating the seals and any abuse, especially if they have been sitting in high heat or cold can damage the piston seals.

Thanks for that info! I was unaware of that procedure and will try it once replaced.