RV Repair: Awning Repair, 5th wheel trailer, cotter pin

Question
I am replacing a 20' awning on the side of my 5th wheel trailer.  I am buying a pre-made awning.  It looks like I have to slip the 'bead' through a metal rail on the trailer side of the awning.  The real questions is on the 'spring-loaded' rollup tube.  How is the awning put onto the tube and how is the 'spring torque' held or 'loaded'.

Thanks,

Norm

Answer
Norm,
    Are you replacing the entire awning assembly or just the fabric?  If you are replacing the entire assembly then the tension on the springs is preset and they are locked with a cotter pin on the rear spring and a cotter pin or cable tie on the front spring.  You will mount the hardware to the spring ends and unwrap the fabric one turn.  We usually use three guys to mount one, one on the ladder to insert the awning into the awning rail and one on each arm of the hardware to walk it down into place and lock the feet into the brackets.  Once that is done you can remove whatever is holding the spring tension and roll the awning out about 12-18".  Then it is just a matter of remounting the upper arms and putting a set screw through the awning rail.

    If you are replacing just the fabric then you will need to roll the awning out and unwind the springs after you have loosened them from the hardware.  This is best done with a pair of vice grips.  You will want to be very careful doing this because if it gets loose while doing it, it very well could break a wrist or at the very least inflict substantial pain.  Count how many turns they unwind so you can rewind them when you are done.  Next you will need to drill the rivets out (or remove the screws) of the spring cap so you can remove it from the awning tube.  You can then either remove the fabric and insert the replacement or, you can remove the awning assembly from the trailer and then remove the fabric and slide the new fabric into the tube and wrap it around the awning tube and then reinstall it as you would a new one.  I have done it both ways, but the second way is probably easier.  If you do it the second way you will need to count how many revolutions the spring makes when you roll it down to wind the springs and subtract that from the number you got when you unwound them.  The fabric mounts to the tube just the same as it mounts to the trailer.  I hope this answers your questions.  If not or if you have any more just let me know.  Good luck with your project.

Darren