NewB need help with awning

[Camping Chick]

During a HEAVY rain storm I thought I had adjusted my bag awning to drain well enough and then headed out for a dry dinner...  well the rain was so bad and so fast that when I got back the awning was on the ground.  The front pole (that runs the entire length of the awning) bent and the center roof support pole snapped in half.
My question is - can I make new poles my self with PVC?  Is there a place I can buy new poles or do I need to get a whole new awning...
MY PU is a 1995 StarCraft that I purchased used 2 years ago (if that helps at all)
Any information would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!!!

[wavery]

During a HEAVY rain storm I thought I had adjusted my bag awning to drain well enough and then headed out for a dry dinner...  well the rain was so bad and so fast that when I got back the awning was on the ground.  The front pole (that runs the entire length of the awning) bent and the center roof support pole snapped in half.
My question is - can I make new poles my self with PVC?  Is there a place I can buy new poles or do I need to get a whole new awning...
MY PU is a 1995 StarCraft that I purchased used 2 years ago (if that helps at all)
Any information would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!!!

PVC poles won't do it. PVC bends real easily.

You can probably find aluminum extrusions with the same OD and drill the holes yourself.

The bigger issue is the channel piece that bent. Straightening and reinforcing that could be challenging. You might be able to straighten it, then reinforce it with a piece of 1" angle aluminum.

[SpeakEasy]

You can get tent poles of all sorts at campmor.com. The adjustable aluminum poles are a little pricey at about $14 a piece. But they are good, strong poles.

Wavery - great idea about the 1" angle aluminum.

[flyfisherman]

The front pole (that runs the entire length of the awning) bent and the center roof support pole snapped in half.

The awning on my Starcraft has an awning rail that runs accross the front of the awning (horizontally) and is what I would describe as heavy duty. Now the awning rail is supported by two vertical aluminum poles in the front which I can see could be bent, but that awning rail would take some real doing to bend that. So just to be sure I know what your talking about, are you saying you have just a regular aluminum pole running horizontally accross the awning instead of an awning rail?


Fly

[Camping Chick]

The awning on my Starcraft has an awning rail that runs accross the front of the awning (horizontally) and is what I would describe as heavy duty. Now the awning rail is supported by two vertical aluminum poles in the front which I can see could be bent, but that awning rail would take some real doing to bend that. So just to be sure I know what your talking about, are you saying you have just a regular aluminum pole running horizontally accross the awning instead of an awning rail?


Fly

My bag slides into the awning rail on the trailer and then there is an aluminum pole inside a sleeve at the end of the awning.  I am sorry if I am not describing this to well...  there is a long pole that runs the entire length horizontally and it has three holes in it (left, right and center) then there are 6 other poles that go with it three spring loaded ones that go from the front of the trailer to the end of the awning (where they hook into the long front pole) and three that go vertically to hold the whole thing up.  The vertical poles have an eye (like the top of a needle) and the spring loaded ones have a point on the end.  the pointed ones go into the eye and then into the hole on the long pole.

I hope that helps!  And Thank you everyone for your help!  I really appreciate it!!!  : )

[wavery]

My bag slides into the awning rail on the trailer and then there is an aluminum pole inside a sleeve at the end of the awning.  I am sorry if I am not describing this to well...  there is a long pole that runs the entire length horizontally and it has three holes in it (left, right and center) then there are 6 other poles that go with it three spring loaded ones that go from the front of the trailer to the end of the awning (where they hook into the long front pole) and three that go vertically to hold the whole thing up.  The vertical poles have an eye (like the top of a needle) and the spring loaded ones have a point on the end.  the pointed ones go into the eye and then into the hole on the long pole.

I hope that helps!  And Thank you everyone for your help!  I really appreciate it!!!  : )

Is the long horizontal pole bent and kinked or cracked?

Now, I am assuming that when you say "pole" that you mean a perfectly round extrusion, like a piece of round pipe. For instance, mine has a 3 sided, square channel that is open on the bottom (4th) side and the legs fold up inside that channel for stowage.

If it's a round aluminum rod, and not kinked, you may be able to straighten it (very carefully) . However, it will loose some strength. You might try running a smaller pole through the inside of the existing one to add strength. Those aluminum poles are typically tempered and kink or crack very easily when bent. Go slow when trying to bend it back.

You may also have to drill out some existing fasteners to facilitate the insertion of the inner pole. Just replace the fasteners with screws and locknuts (also use Locktite on the threads). Cut the screws off flush to the locknut and file it smooth. They also make plastic covers for those locknuts.

Do you have any way to take a digital picture and post it on here?

[oldmoose]

This happened to me also. I had to replace the front pole and ordered it from Jayco. I wasn't going to go through the hassle of trying to make my own.

Moose

[Shelly]

We just purchased our pu last year with no awning but a friend gave us their old awning from their motorhome and we have cut it down and are working on viable options for poles.

I purchased what I thought were good poles last year from a store and they only lasted 3 trips before they broke.

I found this on another forum and am going to adapt it for myself, maybe it would work for you?

"Cut some 1/2 inch EMT to the correct length, stuff a wine cork in one end (both ends if you want to keep out dirt and stuff) and then put a 2 inch screw into the wine cork. You can adjust the lenght of the screw sticking out as needed. When you set up the awning, stick the screw through the grommet on the awning to hold it up. You can use the same basic stuff to substitute for the poles that hold the awning taut, Instead of using wine corks, use rubber feet for the ends. Another downside, is the poles do not collapse, so storage can be a problem. It is possible tu use EMT couplings and cut the poles in half for storage and rejoin them when you set up the awning. Kinda klunky, but fairly cheap for the short term. And you may find obtaining the wine corks fun.
Good Luck."

Shelly

[wavery]

We just purchased our pu last year with no awning but a friend gave us their old awning from their motorhome and we have cut it down and are working on viable options for poles.

I purchased what I thought were good poles last year from a store and they only lasted 3 trips before they broke.

I found this on another forum and am going to adapt it for myself, maybe it would work for you?

"Cut some 1/2 inch EMT to the correct length, stuff a wine cork in one end (both ends if you want to keep out dirt and stuff) and then put a 2 inch screw into the wine cork. You can adjust the lenght of the screw sticking out as needed. When you set up the awning, stick the screw through the grommet on the awning to hold it up. You can use the same basic stuff to substitute for the poles that hold the awning taut, Instead of using wine corks, use rubber feet for the ends. Another downside, is the poles do not collapse, so storage can be a problem. It is possible tu use EMT couplings and cut the poles in half for storage and rejoin them when you set up the awning. Kinda klunky, but fairly cheap for the short term. And you may find obtaining the wine corks fun.
Good Luck."

Shelly

Just keep in mind that EMT is very heavy. That's why the manuf use extruded aluminum. I'll bet if you look around you can find aluminum extrusions. Even stainless steel tubing would be a lot lighter than EMT. An awning shop will probaby be able to tell you where to get either.

I get a lot of satisfaction out of repairing instead of replacing.  

[Camping Chick]

Now, I am assuming that when you say "pole" that you mean a perfectly round extrusion, like a piece of round pipe.

If it's a round aluminum rod, and not kinked, you may be able to straighten it
Do you have any way to take a digital picture and post it on here

_______________________________________________________

Yes it is round, not kinked just bent - I will try and get a picture posted.
You all have been so helpful!  Thank you VERY much!!