awning fabric replacement

[wiredgeorge]

Awning fabric on my 2002 Cougar is shot. Needs replacing. I didn't want to unroll the awning as it is in poor shape. Did a rough measurement at 15.6' fabric width so it may be a 15 or 16' width. Awning is manual and A&E by Dometic. Not sure of the model (don't know where it could be found).

Is this DIY? I can probably talk my BIL into helping. Should I buy Dometic fabric or other? If other, recommendations and of course I would carefully measure the width. Should I have this professionally done?

[chuckster57]

It’s a DIY thing, just measure center of arm to center of arm. You can buy fabric from lots of different places, just make sure it has the gimp (cords) already installed.

PM me for detailed instructions.

[NH_Bulldog]

My awning is listed as a 19' but my fabric was 18' 3"

[wiredgeorge]

Originally Posted by chuckster57

It’s a DIY thing, just measure center of arm to center of arm. You can buy fabric from lots of different places, just make sure it has the gimp (cords) already installed.

PM me for detailed instructions.

Looked at fabric on eBay and they said to measure center of arm to center of arm. 16.9' best I can tell. Is there any fabric that will hold up better than others? Some fabrics in sizes similar run from $70 and up. Don't want to have to install this thing more than once. I will send you a PM for the instructions. Keep in mind I am a bit slow.

[chuckster57]

PM received. 16’9” is odd, are you positive?

[Hblick48]

I used Sunpro replacement fabric when my slide toppers needed replacement (after a huge windstorm).

Recently we were in a wind storm that was more violent than the one that destroyed our original 18 year old toppers.

I thought for sure the new ones got damaged..,the whole rv was shaking, and the main slide was actually bouncing up and down.

SunPro slide toppers held up just fine. Their awning fabric is made the same as their topper material. If I remember, they had 2 choices...good and better. I chose better, there wasn't a huge price difference.

[wiredgeorge]

Originally Posted by chuckster57

PM received. 16’9” is odd, are you positive?

Measured twice. 203 inches.

[wiredgeorge]

Originally Posted by Hblick48

I used Sunpro replacement fabric when my slide toppers needed replacement (after a huge windstorm).

Recently we were in a wind storm that was more violent than the one that destroyed our original 18 year old toppers.

I thought for sure the new ones got damaged..,the whole rv was shaking, and the main slide was actually bouncing up and down.

SunPro slide toppers held up just fine. Their awning fabric is made the same as their topper material. If I remember, they had 2 choices...good and better. I chose better, there wasn't a huge price difference.

Not sure if their business is still up and running. I went to the buy link and an offer to buy the domain appeared on the page.

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by wiredgeorge

Measured twice. 203 inches.

George, did you measure the length of the roller tube or the distance between the two awning arms somewhere closer to the bottom of the awning arms? On several trailers that I've measured over the years, the arms weren't "truly vertical". Measuring the arm distance at the lower end and measuring the arm distance at the top could be several inches different.

The distance from "center of the arm to center of the arm" at the roller tube will be the length you need to determine the length of the fabric. That may be quite different than the measurement of the arms at the bottom of the trailer sidewall. Those two measurements are more related to how "sloppy someone installed the vertical support arms"....

Use the distance between the arms "at the roller tube".....

[Hblick48]

Originally Posted by wiredgeorge

Not sure if their business is still up and running. I went to the buy link and an offer to buy the domain appeared on the page.

They are still in business:


https://sunpromfg.com/awning-fabrics...wning-fabrics/

[fjr vfr]

All the awnings I've seen have a nomenclatures sticker on the roller tube. Of course you need to roll out your awning in order to read it and take a picture. It should tell you everything about the awning.
Btw, I had "Shade Pro" replace mine. I had them include the flexible metal addition at the top so it covers the fabric when all rolled up.

[fjr vfr]

One other thing I thought of, after all these years your awning fabric may measure slightly off from when new. Fabric will either shrink up some or stretch out some over time. Also remember the new fabric doesn't have to measure exactly like the old as long as it's not longer than the channels it slides into. It can easily be a little shorter with no issues. It will still work.

[pavery62]

This is definitely a DIY project. I replaced mine last year with one from Sunpro. I watched a couple of Youtube videos and was able to do it myself, (I'm a 60 yo woman) the only help I needed was at the end to tighten (turn) one end before installing the last screw. My suggestion is to watch the video until the end before starting. Good Luck!

[wiredgeorge]

Originally Posted by pavery62

This is definitely a DIY project. I replaced mine last year with one from Sunpro. I watched a couple of Youtube videos and was able to do it myself, (I'm a 60 yo woman) the only help I needed was at the end to tighten (turn) one end before installing the last screw. My suggestion is to watch the video until the end before starting. Good Luck!

First, I ain't a kid like you! Also sorry about your Mason County Court House. A beautiful building and the centerpiece of the square. It is a shame. Seriously, I will likely try the job myself when I get some funds. We have had a couple large and unexpected expenses in the last month or so and need to catch up some. I do appreciate your encouragement.

[jamtracy]

I also bought shadepro on Amazon. Got black this time as the white always showed the dirt.
It tells you how to measure when looking at the fabric. The hard part for me was the awning lights. I couldn’t get the fabric slid on with the lights so I took the lights off and put them back up with double sided tape just below the track.

[chuckster57]

Originally Posted by jamtracy

I also bought shadepro on Amazon. Got black this time as the white always showed the dirt.
It tells you how to measure when looking at the fabric. The hard part for me was the awning lights. I couldn’t get the fabric slid on with the lights so I took the lights off and put them back up with double sided tape just below the track.

It ain’t easy sometimes, but we don’t have a choice when it’s a customers unit.