I just noticed my awning that is nearly 6 years old now has seen better days. The poor old thing has had some very strong winds attack it and very hot and dry sun beaming down on it. I just noticed the flap of the outside of the roller is cracking and I have said for a while now the vinyl seems to shrink in it's length (one end to the other). It can be exposed to the elements for weeks and weeks at a time.
I don't think there is much more time left before it 'rides on ahead'.
How is you awning travelling? Have you had to replace it? How old was it if you have replaced it? What cost is involved to replace the Vinyl and roller?
I can't do it so will have to get someone.
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Live Life On Your Terms
DOUGChief One Feather (Losing feathers with age)
TUG.......2014 Holden LT Colorado Twin Cab Ute with Canopy
DEN....... 2014 "Chief" Arrow CV (with some changes)
I just noticed my awning that is nearly 6 years old now has seen better days. The poor old thing has had some very strong winds attack it and very hot and dry sun beaming down on it. I just noticed the flap of the outside of the roller is cracking and I have said for a while now the vinyl seems to shrink in it's length (one end to the other). It can be exposed to the elements for weeks and weeks at a time.
I don't think there is much more time left before it 'rides on ahead'.
How is you awning travelling? Have you had to replace it? How old was it if you have replaced it? What cost is involved to replace the Vinyl and roller?
I can't do it so will have to get someone.
5years for mine, it was a large one 22' caravan and it cost $1800 fitted at my local caravan service yard.
-- Edited by Wizardofoz on Tuesday 17th of March 2020 02:46:46 PM
I just noticed my awning that is nearly 6 years old now has seen better days. The poor old thing has had some very strong winds attack it and very hot and dry sun beaming down on it. I just noticed the flap of the outside of the roller is cracking and I have said for a while now the vinyl seems to shrink in it's length (one end to the other). It can be exposed to the elements for weeks and weeks at a time.
I don't think there is much more time left before it 'rides on ahead'.
How is you awning travelling? Have you had to replace it? How old was it if you have replaced it? What cost is involved to replace the Vinyl and roller?
I can't do it so will have to get someone.
Hi Dougwe.
Our caravan come to us by the secondhand market Dec 2012, for next few years it was mostly stored out in the open, Sept 2016 when we purchased it from the people with health issues said the storage people damaged the awning and was needing replacing, 2 rolls of good cloth tape later in June 2019, I declared awning had served us well, looking a seriously draggie, we had it replaced. Our caravan lives in the sun with the awning facing North capturing the sun, adding to the it's short life expectancy.
We used a place at Clontaff, in the northern suburbs of Brisbane, we had used them on our previous caravan for the replacement of the awning and was more then pleased with their service. Into the factory at 7.30am out by noon.
This time the service was good but this time the material is not as good and we have been back to see them, they have noted it all down and if we are not 100% happy in a couple of months they are going to replace the awning material. Approximate sub $700 for a 4.5metre
We have no links with this company, just spent money there. Aussie Traveller Clontaff QLD.
PS. Sitting here looking at the material it will be getting replaced.
Doug, we just had the same problem with cracking in the flap and starting to split at the roller. Got the replacement done at Pinnacle Wholesalers in Wendouree, Ballarat. Got an 20ft awning for $350 and they installed for $200. The new one is thinner than the old one I suspect its not as good a quality but it looks fine and, as an 82 yr old bloke, I figured that it will see me out. They were very easy to deal with if you want to know more call them on 0353429651and speak to Robin.
I have no connection to this company other than previously stated.
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Thankyou everyone for your replies. It looks like nearly 6 years is a good life span for the use and treatment it gets. I hope it lasts the distance for at least another month. If I head to Townsville still the awning doesn't get used at all until my return to the southern states so will sort something out before or on my return.
__________________
Live Life On Your Terms
DOUGChief One Feather (Losing feathers with age)
TUG.......2014 Holden LT Colorado Twin Cab Ute with Canopy
DEN....... 2014 "Chief" Arrow CV (with some changes)
Thankyou everyone for your replies. It looks like nearly 6 years is a good life span for the use and treatment it gets. I hope it lasts the distance for at least another month. If I head to Townsville still the awning doesn't get used at all until my return to the southern states so will sort something out before or on my return.
If you delay the replacement until your next trip north, 'The Awning Man' runs a mobile service and will do the job as you pass through the Brisbane area. He's good for quality & price. Just mention my name for a good deal.
(You'll have to stop of course LOL. Plenty of parking at my place.)
Wow! Just how timely is stuff on this forum!!!!
Thankyou for the thread.
Our Aussie Traveller Coolabah is now 15 years of age! It has been sooooo good and strong, BUT is on it's way out. Well the roof canvas is as well as the poles etc. The walls and skirts are as new, but have had several months of use over the 15 years.
So we are looking at a large Adelaide Annexe mob to replace it with a Carefree Awning to which they can modify our annexe walls etc.
This of course will assist me as well because I too am on my way out and with a new awning will not have to use a ladder to set up and install the Carefree.
Apparently it is made in the USA (but most likely USA design and made some where O/S from there), and of course will fit a tad better than the Coolabah to the van.
SO hopefully this will add info to the thread as well as providing me with other wise experience from contributors.
Cheers Ian
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Cheers - Ian
I slowly realise as I get older that I am definitely NOT the fastest rat in the race.
Also the older I get the more I realise I do not know.
Wow! Just how timely is stuff on this forum!!!! Thankyou for the thread.
Our Aussie Traveller Coolabah is now 15 years of age! It has been sooooo good and strong, BUT is on it's way out. Well the roof canvas is as well as the poles etc. The walls and skirts are as new, but have had several months of use over the 15 years.
So we are looking at a large Adelaide Annexe mob to replace it with a Carefree Awning to which they can modify our annexe walls etc.
This of course will assist me as well because I too am on my way out and with a new awning will not have to use a ladder to set up and install the Carefree.
Apparently it is made in the USA (but most likely USA design and made some where O/S from there), and of course will fit a tad better than the Coolabah to the van.
SO hopefully this will add info to the thread as well as providing me with other wise experience from contributors.
Cheers Ian
My new Carefree is a dream to put up & down after my last trip with the old one where I had to wind it out & in by hand, with no spring or ratchet, all the time being careful that the end cap didn't pop out. Then I had to fit a couple of zippy ties to hold the cap in place ... & cut them off again before carefully rolling it up. What a PITA.
It's a dream to have it click click clicking, just like new. Which it is.
I also had the centre 'spreader' bracket cut a bit longer this time, so that it doesn't come out of its slide when fully extended like the other one has done for >10years. The last installer cut it about 20mm too short and as the rafter bowed outwards over time the bracket wasn't quite long enough.!
Hello Doug, we had an awning replaced in Townsville at Caravan mart. We can recommend his service, prompt and friendly. Or prompt as they can be when it had to come up from Brisbane
That's no problem Dougwe, just have your fitter order it in advance and have it fitted when you get there. BINGO!
3 years ago while at a roadhouse I went under tree branch and the lower section just clipped and dented my slide out awning and it wouldn't open, my next stop was Alice Springs, I rang a repair guy in 'Alice' he said he could fit it no problem, only problem, he would need to know the van and measure the awning size.
I had already rang the manufacturer and as luck would have it, they had 1 left in stock so I just paid for it and had it delivered to the repair guy. WhenI got to Alice, he fitted the awning whilst the wife and had lunch and went shopping. 'SIMPLES'
-- Edited by Wizardofoz on Thursday 19th of March 2020 12:39:03 PM
Hey Doug,
Tony (Tony & Bev) and I recently replaced Fay's caravan awning. I think it was 5 years old and the stitching had frayed and torn in the Greens gusts. I got a 14 foot replacement Carefree awning from Kyabram from a supplier/distributor for $200 new. It would have cost $320 with the end tube roller inclusive. The cost is the same for any size awning as I was told by the seller. This is a brand product of high quality 3 layer vinyl. You would have to agree that it is a super bargain. I should think Craig Collins would not charge much to do the labour replacement especially with the tube included. It took Tony and I about 4 hours to remove the old awning and replace with new awning with current frame and tube intact. We certainly did not rush the job. Hope this helps mate.
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"Home is where the Den is parked, Designer Orchid Special towed by Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited"
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