Awning Fabric Replacement Question

[John "T" Nordhoff]

  Okay, So I bought a new awning fabric (On Flea bay) to replace the worn one on my A&E 5000 and plan to remove the old n install the new once it cools down. My buddy has done several and tells me we have to remove the tube which means unwinding then rewinding the springs on each end which is a job I despise.

 

  Soooooo Ima wondering if a body couldnt instead roll her out (not too tight) but then lower the arms so theres slack with big hangy down bow/slack in the middle and then pull the old one out sort of top n bottom (from the tube) at the same time WITHOUT HAVING TO REMOVE N UNWIND THE TUBE and then likewise slide the new one in top n bottom (from tube).

 

  Or is it necessary to remove the tube as he says?????????????

 

  I HATE unwinding n rewinding those dern tube springs grrrrrrrrrrrrr although with the two of us and vice grips weve never had a problem.

 

http://inlinethumb54.webshots.com/46645/2804921220095401896S500x500...

 

http://community.webshots.com/user/johnt194755

 

  Ol John T in Indiana 

[Richard W. Cobbs]

Hi John,

I can't be much help, but I replaced my awning fabric last year following directions from the net and still don't have my springs wound right.  If I remember correctly, I had to drill out the rivets on one plastic end cap and remove it in order to slide the fabric in.  If I were you, I would cut a slot in the cap to allow the fabric to slide out and make sure to lock the tube from spinning. 

 Sounds like a very good idea, I wish that I had thought of it.

RWC 

[John "T" Nordhoff]

  Thanks Richard, we got it done a while back, we completely removed the big bottom tube. We use a pair of vice grips clamped tighter then Dicks hat band, (heavy leather gloves and heavy jacket) to hold the ends as we unwind the tension, then use a 3/16 drill to drill out the rivets, then when were all done we install new pop rivets in the old holes, looks same as factory when were done. Seems like we rewind the springs a few more turns then awning length, mines 14 foot so we used about 17 turns so shes good n tight n rewinds the new awning right up like shes supposed to.

 

 John T