RE: Awning modification

[The Robinsons]

 
I ve seen pictures of Bedbugs  awning modification (the posts are attached to the PU frame and not on the ground).  Are special poles required or will the standard awning poles do the trick as long as I ve got the hardware to hold them?
 
 Thanks!
 Buffi

[Red neff Barchetta]

 The Robinsons
You will need longer poles and should know that if you have a screen room or an AAR that you won t be able to use them with the awning poles modified this way (too heavy).  Of course, you can keep your original poles and use them in the upright position when using your SR or AAR.
 Didn t know if anyone has told you that yet.  Eventually I ll be making this mod. or getting a Carefree awning and their AAR.  Can t justify that until the stock Coleman awning starts to tear.  (" Oh look Honey, the awning has some tears from the door.  No, no, I don t know who positioned the awning so low so the door would hit it" .)
 Aha!  I just had a thought, lol.
 I still don t know why a huge company like Fleetwood is still using such a dated awning system.

[Bearnkat]

 The Robinsons
Hi Biffi,
 
 We ve done the awning modification to our Santa Fe. I got real tired of messing with the ropes.
 
 I followed Mountian Camper s instructions. Below is a link to the pictures of his modification. I called my Coleman dealer and order an extra set of pole for the awning system (around $45.00). Using the Coleman poles let them match. I mounted the " L"  brackets on the bottom frame of our popup. Total cost for the parts for the project was around $50.00.
 
 If you have any questions, feel free to drop me an email. We re headed to Inks Lake in about a month and I ll shoot some pictures on several modifications that we ve been doing.
 
 http://groups.msn.com/MtnCampersAwning/shoebox.msnw
 
 C & T

[jstubbert]

 The Robinsons
What keeps the awning from lifting off the top of the poles in the wind? My standard set up awning poles have little plastic ends that poke into the awning front edge rail and seem to be held in by the downward pressure of the rope that is also fastened to the front edge rail near the poles.
 
 Was your s the same?
 

[Red neff Barchetta]

 The Robinsons
gstubbert -
 Your PU isn t in your profile or signature, but Coleman awnings have the upper poles attached to the awning permanently by a rivet/bolt.  The lower pole (& 3rd. pole if you do this mod.) is attached to the upper pole by a push-button that locks them together.  The Coleman shepherd s poles for the bunk-ends and slide-out have this same push-button set-up by the way.

[Ron]

 The Robinsons
Did the modification and was pleased with the results.  Survived the first thunderstorm in the keys with the awing in the semi lowered position. Then I believed the weather report and didn t survive the second storm which came in at zero dark thirty bent one of the rafter supports into a " U"  but no other damage and I needed a cold rain water shower anyhow.
 
 Cause of the failure I feel the one of the spring loaded buttons was not whole engage and the wind buffeting let the pole come apart.
 
 Cure a length of parachute cored between awning rail and trailer adapter so that so that the poles cannot separate.
 
 If you ever get the chance Long Key SP FL is a great place to stay.
 One picture at the webshot site show s awning in use.
 
 Ron

[mikewilley]

 The Robinsons
I see from your pictures that there be Aggies here. Gig em!  Mike Willey class of 78!

[The Robinsons]

 mikewilley
Mike,
 
 Howdy!  Yes, there be Aggies here! (I d whoop, but I m not " official"  and I don t want to get in trouble![])
 
 My husband is Class of  85 (although he graduated in  86) and I became an Aggie when I married him in  91.  I figure I ve put up with enough from him that I ve earned the right to call myself an Aggie![]
 
 Glad you re here!  Are you going to the NTPUCA campout next weekend?
 
 Buffi

[mikewilley]

 The Robinsons
We weren t able to work it into our plans this time.  Hope to catch the next one though.

[jstubbert]

 The Robinsons
I think I want to give this mod a shot. I once ran across a step by step guide on one of the members websites. I can t find my way back to that site. Any idea where I can find those pictures?
 
 

[Red neff Barchetta]

 The Robinsons
Jeff -
 Here you go.  Scroll down a bit to see Bart s awning mod.;
 http://softsmart.com/popup/HeatingCooling.html
 

[Gone-Camping]

 The Robinsons
I was at Bedbugs campsite last weekend in Newport News looking at that mod. He told me then, that one thing you gotta keep in mind, is that the little plastic pins on the end of the poles will snap right off if try and use the existing holes. He drilled new holes next to the old holes that are line up with the angle of the cross bar. Once you swing those poles back against the bottom of the camper, the angle where the pins fit into the cross bar no longer work correctly. Adding new holes on the proper angle allow it to work without breaking the pins, and still allow you to use the old holes should you want to set-up the regular way!!!

[MtnCamper]

 Gone-Camping

 

ORIGINAL:  Gone-Camping
 
 Once you swing those poles back against the bottom of the camper, the angle where the pins fit into the cross bar no longer work correctly. Adding new holes on the proper angle allow it to work without breaking the pins, and still allow you to use the old holes should you want to set-up the regular way!!!
 

Or just drill out the existing holes to 1/2" . You can still use it both ways.
 

[NCSunshine]

 The Robinsons
All the mods I have seen only have two poles.  Our Niagara has three poles, would you have to use all three.  Or could you just use the ones on the ends?
 
 I d love to have one of the Colorado awnings but maybe next year.[>:]

[MtnCamper]

 The Robinsons
I think you can do it with the 2 poles. Lift the center and see how rigid it is. Then decide if you want to take it off or just swing it up and fasten it there.