awning woes

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pops91710
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Cardinal Owners: 2006 30 WB LE
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awning woes

Post by pops91710 »

You all know I really love my 30 WBLE Cardinal trailer, and I have always thought A&E made the best awnings, but I have a complaint about my Elite 9000--the metal cover, fabric and roller tube sag when rolled out.

I have tried to pull the tension rafters as hard as I can but the fabric still sags. And that's not all, this is my second awning. I ruined my first one on our maiden outing when an unexpected storm came over while we were out of the campground.

It held the water because it would not drain, even though I had it tilted sufficiently. I took it to the dealer and they ordered me a new one to the tune of one thousand bucks. I asked them at the time why it sags so much and he said that it is characteristic of this model. I said had I know that, I would not have re-ordered the same one.

I also notice that the roller tube dips slightly as well and if I lift up on the center of the tube slightly, the sag in it diminishes completely.

I went to CW to buy those bows that slip up underneath the fabric and to also look into a middle tension rafter and support leg, but the clerk there said I should not need that with such a short awning (18 feet) and suggested there is a problem with the awning, and the trailer dealer's installer was nuts telling me it's inevitable.

A&E's depiction of this model shows the material is flat and taut. Their literature also states center supports are for longer awnings (22 feet).

I have tried the de-flapper clamps, but they only stress the tension rafter.

Any suggestions?
Mike Harrington, Chino, CA.

2006 Cardinal WB/LE 30'
2003 F250 Superduty V10, 4X4, 4.30 axles and Gear Vendors over/underdrive.
With one happy wife now 45 years ago!
USAF Weapons/Munitions Specialist 1966-1973 Vietnam Vet 1970-71
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gmarker
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Post by gmarker »

Why not call the manufacturer directly and explain your problem. The awning should still be under warranty & they might step up to the plate and try to satisfy you. Wouldn't hurt to mention the discussion about your problem on this forum. There number is (574) 294-2511.
GERRY & KAY
2005 29WBLE
20011 FORD F250 LARIOT 6.7 POWERSTROKE
MAX the WONDERCAT
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pops91710
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Post by pops91710 »

gmarker wrote:Why not call the manufacturer directly and explain your problem. The awning should still be under warranty & they might step up to the plate and try to satisfy you. Wouldn't hurt to mention the discussion about your problem on this forum. There number is (574) 294-2511.
I wanted a real world answer from owners. Not sure I'll get a true answer from the manufacturer. I emailed them over a year ago and they sent me a pdf for the install instructions. Not much help.

I am sure the warranty ran out after the first year. I am approaching year two this month.
Mike Harrington, Chino, CA.

2006 Cardinal WB/LE 30'
2003 F250 Superduty V10, 4X4, 4.30 axles and Gear Vendors over/underdrive.
With one happy wife now 45 years ago!
USAF Weapons/Munitions Specialist 1966-1973 Vietnam Vet 1970-71
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Olbird
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Post by Olbird »

Pops

I have had A&E awnings on every RV I owned because they had a quality product.
On three motor homes I had the Elite 9000 metal cover and had no sag with a tight fabric in all directions.
Just before I bought my Cardinal I replace all the awnings on the motor to a newer color and the new same size main awning had a sag in the tube and the fabric did not pull tight no matter what I did just as yours is doing.
I do not know what changes they made but the newer fabric awning material and tubes are not as tight and have sagging problems.

I have the A&E power awning with fabric material on the Bird and have issues with the water not running off very well.
A&E says they addressed this problem with their new design that came out about the same time FR built my Cardinal.
FR most likely did not have stock of the A&E's new design power awning at time of my build.

So yes they do have a problem, and I do not know if it is a hit and miss problem or they all have problems now, did your first one sag also before the damage.
George & Julie
3850 RL Full Paint w/ TrailAir Spring Ride System, Kodiak Disc Brakes, TrailAir Tri-Glide Pin Box, Over 130 Mods

2022 Ford F450 DRW
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gmarker
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Post by gmarker »

Pops,

According to the their web site, the 9000 series has a three year warranty.
The first two include labor. The worst that can happen is that they say "no", and then you and the rest of us out here will know who not to do business with.
GERRY & KAY
2005 29WBLE
20011 FORD F250 LARIOT 6.7 POWERSTROKE
MAX the WONDERCAT
Luizianna

Post by Luizianna »

Thanks Gerry for getting that info!! I realized after our toilet leaked and had to have new seals installed that the individual parts warranty arent the same as the warranty you get when you buy. I thought our warranty was up and my tech said no, the toilet has a 3 year warranty....so as an FYI to members...the manufacturers warranty doesn't expire when your Forest River warranty does, so be sure to check them out when you need work.
Tim

Post by Tim »

Mine, fortunately, doesn't sag, but I always keep one side lower and the whole system staked down.
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pops91710
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Post by pops91710 »

Olbird wrote:Pops

.......did your first one sag also before the damage.
Thanks, O'l bird that was indeed helpful. The answer is yes, the first one sagged as well.

There's just one thing that puzzles me. My second awning was shipped from the manufacturer, so apparently the second one was the same lot as the first. It was the first thing I noticed when I went to pick up my trailer at the dealer after the replacement work was done. I was hoping to see otherwise and was dismayed to see it sagged as well.

gmarker, you have made some excellent points. Thanks for straightening me out! I'll be sure to call A&E on that now that I know I am still under warranty, and that there have been issues with them before. It gives me something to go with.

Thanks for your help to all!
Mike Harrington, Chino, CA.

2006 Cardinal WB/LE 30'
2003 F250 Superduty V10, 4X4, 4.30 axles and Gear Vendors over/underdrive.
With one happy wife now 45 years ago!
USAF Weapons/Munitions Specialist 1966-1973 Vietnam Vet 1970-71
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Olbird
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Post by Olbird »

Pops,

I went through this, A&E is going say you did not roll the awning up in the rain and standing water bent the tube and they do not cover it under warranty.

I would try contacting A&E but your best shot was after they installed it at the time you picked it up.

When I ordered my Cardinal I tried to get the factory to not install the awning because they would not put a Tan color fabric awning that I feel matches my unit better then Blue.

The factory told the dealer to change the fabric and Adventure RV bought the color fabric I wanted and had it install before delivery. I do not think Rich will ever do that again it was more trouble than anyone could expect.
After the four awning fabric changes it was the correct fitting and color I wanted.
George & Julie
3850 RL Full Paint w/ TrailAir Spring Ride System, Kodiak Disc Brakes, TrailAir Tri-Glide Pin Box, Over 130 Mods

2022 Ford F450 DRW
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pops91710
Posts: 180
Joined: Sun Sep 10, 2006 9:31 am
Location: California Chino
Cardinal Owners: 2006 30 WB LE
Location: California Chino

Post by pops91710 »

Olbird wrote:Pops,

I went through this, A&E is going say you did not roll the awning up in the rain and standing water bent the tube and they do not cover it under warranty.

I would try contacting A&E but your best shot was after they installed it at the time you picked it up.

When I ordered my Cardinal I tried to get the factory to not install the awning because they would not put a Tan color fabric awning that I feel matches my unit better then Blue.

The factory told the dealer to change the fabric and Adventure RV bought the color fabric I wanted and had it install before delivery. I do not think Rich will ever do that again it was more trouble than anyone could expect.
After the four awning fabric changes it was the correct fitting and color I wanted.
Actually, if they try that argument, it will fail because the tube is not bent. Yes, it sags, but it's because it is bent. If it was was bent it would be eccentric and roll off-center as it rolls up or down, which is does not. It simply flexes downward because the tubing in my opinion is too thin or the spring inside is too heavy making it all sag. Even if I roll it back one half turn, it still sags the same.

This awning has not been left out in the rain to allow water to collect. That was the first one, and it was tossed out when they installed the new one.
When I picked up the new awning I had them roll it out and it was sagging too, right out of the box.

I have already emailed them......
Mike Harrington, Chino, CA.

2006 Cardinal WB/LE 30'
2003 F250 Superduty V10, 4X4, 4.30 axles and Gear Vendors over/underdrive.
With one happy wife now 45 years ago!
USAF Weapons/Munitions Specialist 1966-1973 Vietnam Vet 1970-71
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