james0930
Ohio
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Joined: 03/30/2008
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Here we are on our maiden voyage and a storm comes in and tears up the awning as it was extended. The awning ripped about 3-4 feet about 3 inches from the roller. Also snapped one of the lower brackets. Ok so I am gone for 2 weeks and need to get it repaired. My questions are
1. Can parts be ordered ahead of time to a ciy where I will be and
have access to tools, warehouse, etc. to fix this myself?
2. If I can order parts do I do this thru a dealership or direct?
The awning is made by Dometic, Sunchaser 2.
3. If I need to take to a dealership for repair what kind of
service time and cost am I looking at? Can any RV dealer fix
this? Our coach is a Coachmen Mirada Class A
4. OK, I will be in Houston, Texas during the first part of next
week in the Friendswood (south) area and part of the week in the
Woodlands (north) area. Does anyone have any recogmendatons for
where to get it repaired? I figured if I go this route I can
call ahead and explain what I need.
I have learned so much from this forum during my purchase to now. Wow do I need help now. I am over the "how stupid of me" phase now and need to get on with it. Any and all help is very appreciated.
Oh, Happy Fathers Day to all you dads out there.
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D & M
Laurel, MD
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Joined: 03/04/2005
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Call Dometic and seek their help in arraging a repair. They can tell you where to find a repair facility, and if one is available, they can overnight the parts to them.
Dealerships are not the only places that can fix motorhomes. A lot of sub-tier motorhome suppliers have relationships with independent shops.
Dave  & Mary 
Isabel (a cuddly little Boston)
Buddy (The Beast) another Boston
2005 Itasca Suncruiser 35A
2003 Jeep Liberty
If it's listed in the Yellow Pages, the government shouldn't be messing around with it.
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robatthelake
Vancouver Island
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Joined: 08/24/2003
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Contact Your Insurance Company!
Rob & Jean 90 Southwind John Deere/Oshkosh/Freightliner Class A Ford 460/ Toad 92 Tracker 2 wd 5sp Convert Still running Great!
" Everything in it"Still" Works"
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MCDDY
Louisiana
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Joined: 07/14/2003
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You should hava a manual and schematic with parts list for the awning. But I would recommend taking it to a dealer/repair facility. Theres a Camping World and also Holiday World dealership on I-10W @ Brookshire. Seems like theres also a CW on I-45 North of Houston. Not sure of any dealer,repair on the South Side but lots of folks on this forum live in that area. The fabric will have to be replaced for sure as well as the bracket.
Doesn't take long if they have the parts.
Good Luck
Dave
GEAUX TIGERS
Dave, Miss Sue & Lucy the Terrorist Scotty Pup
Big Easy Area.
FMCA 153192
00 Windsor, 40' 2 Slide, ISC 350 HP.
02 Grand Cherokee Toad. Brake Buddy, Aventa 2
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ruth_anne_b
Central Florida
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Joined: 03/15/2004
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I have no suggestions to offer only sympathy! What a terrible thing to have happen. It almost happened to us on more than one occasion, now I'm so crazy about putting the awning up if it looks like the weather could turn. It's easy to forget though. Sorry to hear about your troubles.
Ruth anne Baker
ruth_anne_b@cfl.rr.com
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RayChez
Barstow, Ca. USA
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Joined: 09/13/2003
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Unless you have fixed one before, it is not that easy installing or repairing the awning. There is a spring that you got to be careful that you don't release it because then it will never wind it up. I don't know how much it would cost you to repair a tear, but I did have to replace the sprocket and other parts on mine when I run into 70 mph winds. It just wore the gear up. I took it to an RV place and they were not bad on what they charged me. I believe it was something like half an hour labor and the part. Seems to me it was like $85.00 total.
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Camper Ken
Oregon
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Joined: 06/02/2007
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If you need to have parts "overnight" shipped, be prepared for a hefty charge.
Regular shipping can take a week or MORE.
Repair should take 1 hour or a little more depending on the damage to the lower bracket. If it's simply replacing the awning fabric and bracket, it should be no more than one hour. Labor rates at most motorhome service facilities are in the $100 per hour range.
A couple of years ago when I was a service advisor at a major Oregon RV dealer/service center, we saw a LOT of awning fabric replacements, due to damage or simply wearing out.
Often your insurance will cover this if it's damage related.
When ordering replacement fabric and parts, be prepared to have the model and serial numbers for the awning. They are usually on a sticker on the fabric edge and the awning arm.
2007 Winnebago Access 31c
(2006 Ford E450 chassi)
2007 Winnebago Access 31c
2006 Ford E450 chassis
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Itchn2go
Seaford,Va USA
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Joined: 07/11/2003
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Sorry to hear of your problem..This is a common occurance so don't feel bad that it happeened to you. The other is always have a spotter when backing up. Don't depend on the rear view camera. I learned this the hard way.
This should be a lesson to us older members of the forum.
When Newbies as for advice , I have never seen anyone tell them, me include, to fold up the awning when leaving the Moho or when a storm is coming..
Good and Safe Miles
Happy Trails.
ITCHN2GO,Seaford,VA
02 Winnie Adventurer 35U Workhorse
1 Beautiful Wife, 2 Beautiful Dogs
TOAD 04 FWD Vue Ready to Go
"It all depends on who you talk to"
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dougrainer
Carrolton
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Joined: 06/11/2007
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When you unroll the awning all the way----There is a sticker on the tube at the front end. It will have PRODUCT NUMBER---MODEL NUMBER--SERIAL NUMBER. You WILL need that info before you order any parts. There is also the same on the awning arm for the lower foot mount. You will need it also to order parts. Dometic will NOT order and ship the parts for you. You will have to go thru a Dometic distributor/Service center to order the parts. I would recommend, you just order the Foot mount and the Fabric and have shipped to you and then make arrangments to install at your convenience. They ship the fabric in a 3 x2 foot box. They no longer ship in 20 foot long tubes. You will have to remove the complete awning to R&R the fabric. At our shop, it would be a 2 hour job at $120 per hour. Doug
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Fishinghat
Western Washington, USA
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Joined: 10/03/2002
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What happened to you is very common, so many RV repair places are set up with replacement parts and technicians who can fix it, possibly while you wait. Good luck. JMHO
Holiday Rambler Navigator DP, Mustang Convertible, and Honda VT1100C Shadow.
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