So, how do you get an awning into a 60 year old awning rail?
Oct 2, 2017 20:11:17 GMT -8
mtpalms likes this
Post by Teachndad on Oct 2, 2017 20:11:17 GMT -8
Hi Friends,
I have a 1985 pop up with a matching awning. I wanted to see if I could get it into the awning rail on my 5 Rod and Reel. The awning itself is narrower than the awning rail by at least 2 feet both sides of the center of the awning rail. Of note, the awning rail on the Rod and Reel is curved on both ends as it follows the radius of the trailer front and back.
Luckily, no dents are present on the awning rail, but the rail near the front has some mashed J- rail above it that limits sliding in the awning from that end. The rear entrance works.
5 months ago at a trailer rally, I tried to slide the awning in without practice or cleaning. I ended up getting half way across and the piping wedged and then ripped the storage bag that the awning rolls into. Bummer.
Fortunately, the awning is still intact with the attached piping that slides into the rail. That’s okay.
So, here is how I got it to work. Individual results may vary.
1. Wore rubber gloves
2. Took new 1 ½”paint brush with stiff bristles and brushed out the awning rail to get out any loose debris.
3. Took some water based personal lubricant. That’s the liquidy type stuff in a small bottle, not the jelly. I used this because I didn’t want to use oil based lubricants that I felt could accumulate/attract dirt which I assumed would then clog up the rail later on. I also felt the oily lubricants could have stained the bag or the awning. Any clean up would be easier as well.
a. Rubbed the lubricant along both sides of the piping from the awning using a gloved hand
b. Every 5” or 6” along the rail itself, I squirted in a dab of the lubricant – turn bottle upside down
c. Begin sliding the piping into the rail.
I got it to slide in with little if any hang ups even up around the bend at the beginning.
For those working by yourself and you haven’t learned how to put up the awning by yourself, here is a video youtu.be/McBT_6nw4RM where you can use a simple pulley system. I was going to use it, but since my awning rail curves at both ends, the eye hook might have fallen out, so I decided just to go for it without.
Also, related is a short video of how to set up your awning poles and the awning. youtu.be/xNz7E1IjLhQ
Feel free to contribute any comments or tips for others to follow.
Cheers,
Rod
I have a 1985 pop up with a matching awning. I wanted to see if I could get it into the awning rail on my 5 Rod and Reel. The awning itself is narrower than the awning rail by at least 2 feet both sides of the center of the awning rail. Of note, the awning rail on the Rod and Reel is curved on both ends as it follows the radius of the trailer front and back.
Luckily, no dents are present on the awning rail, but the rail near the front has some mashed J- rail above it that limits sliding in the awning from that end. The rear entrance works.
5 months ago at a trailer rally, I tried to slide the awning in without practice or cleaning. I ended up getting half way across and the piping wedged and then ripped the storage bag that the awning rolls into. Bummer.
Fortunately, the awning is still intact with the attached piping that slides into the rail. That’s okay.
So, here is how I got it to work. Individual results may vary.
1. Wore rubber gloves
2. Took new 1 ½”paint brush with stiff bristles and brushed out the awning rail to get out any loose debris.
3. Took some water based personal lubricant. That’s the liquidy type stuff in a small bottle, not the jelly. I used this because I didn’t want to use oil based lubricants that I felt could accumulate/attract dirt which I assumed would then clog up the rail later on. I also felt the oily lubricants could have stained the bag or the awning. Any clean up would be easier as well.
a. Rubbed the lubricant along both sides of the piping from the awning using a gloved hand
b. Every 5” or 6” along the rail itself, I squirted in a dab of the lubricant – turn bottle upside down
c. Begin sliding the piping into the rail.
I got it to slide in with little if any hang ups even up around the bend at the beginning.
For those working by yourself and you haven’t learned how to put up the awning by yourself, here is a video youtu.be/McBT_6nw4RM where you can use a simple pulley system. I was going to use it, but since my awning rail curves at both ends, the eye hook might have fallen out, so I decided just to go for it without.
Also, related is a short video of how to set up your awning poles and the awning. youtu.be/xNz7E1IjLhQ
Feel free to contribute any comments or tips for others to follow.
Cheers,
Rod
