RV Repair: Dometic Awning Parts, aluminum extrusions, awning fabric

Question
Hi, I drove under a tree and bent my fairly new Dometic Power Awning. I pulled the assembly off and see that it has two aluminum extrusions: the center tube and the interlocking aluminum slats.

I built a die to push through the tube and have it fairly straight again. It could be used again. I'd like to buy a new one but it's $165 + shipping. UGH!

The metal cover consists of 6 interlocking slats and they are not so 'easily' straightened. It looks like I'm going to be forced to buy some new ones. Dometic does not sell them individually anymore and so I'm foced to shell out $250 + shipping! Double Ugh!

I can live with the tube as is, but the cover slats need some help.

I'm an Engineer so I know Dometic purchases those extrusions. Given enough time and effort I could find them but I'm hoping you can cut both to a minium.

Do you have a source that I can try for either/both? OR somehow were I can just buy the individual aluminum interlocking slats?

Answer
Mike, I don't know who makes them for A & E (Dometic) and don't know anyone else to ask for that answer. If the tube is bent any it will also make the canvas roll up uneven and this can cause trouble for you. It may also be easier for you to replace the awning fabric with vinyl because they don't need the aluma-guard cover that the one you have now does. If even 1 of the slats is bent when you try to replace it you will find that it doesn't slide into the new one very well also. You can get a new canvas for around 200.00 which is cheaper than replacing the aluminum pieces. Also it will be easier to re- install the awning back on the coach as there is more give to vinyl instead of the aluminum. I am sorry that this isn't more help for you, and that when you are done it looks good enough for you. Thanks, Bill