Canopy support

jwebb90162 · 11-03-2009, 11:02 AM

Of course I never pay any attention to my wife and I cut a corner a little too sharp and managed to knock off the center support brace for the canopy on our 25' Classic. I was lucky as there is no damage other than finding the support strut laying on the ground. It looks like it was originally fastened with rivets and I am not sure how to get new ones on the back side without removing interior wall covering. I was wondering if the brace could be held on with metal screws put in from the outside?

**silverleeper** · 11-03-2009, 11:16 AM

Hi jwebb90162, Welcome to the forums. I'm not sure what you mean by "center support brace for the canopy". Are you talking about the awning? Do you have any photos so we can see what you see?

jwebb90162 · 11-03-2009, 11:28 AM

Hey thanks for the answer, I don't have a photo right now as the trailer is over in our storage lot. We have a 25' Classic and in the middle of the canopy there is a support strut that rides flush with the exterior wall. It is attached by what looks like rivets at the top and then the bottom is placed into a bracket for traveling. I managed to knock off the brace that permanently attaches the strut at the top to the exterior wall, looks like it was held on with three pop rivets and that is what I sheared off.

thanks
Jerry Webb

2airishuman · 11-03-2009, 01:40 PM

hi jerry

contact zipdee

info on their website and an 800 #

they can send the rivets used and any other bits that were broken.

the a/s factory service center will also have these parts

but it's more hassle for YOU because they will only send them via a dealer/service center...

which means YOU have to contact a dealer, who then contacts the factory service center.
________________

btw the CENTER awning brace is really not needed, especially on a 25.

more folks have had issues with THAT arm/attachment than either END arm/strut.

the '3rd arm' was added at a/s request a few years ago and MAY help some on the 34s...

but i seldom ever use it, in fact i've taken it OFF the 34 patio awning.

anyway zipdee will have the bits and yes it can be repaired from OUTSIDE...

you'll need a tube of polyurethane sealant too. (parbond or sikaflex)

cheers
2air

Steve & Susan · 11-03-2009, 02:15 PM

And in the future, pay attention to what your wife says - it'll save you lots of grief if she's right

jwebb90162 · 11-03-2009, 06:29 PM

Hey thanks for the info, I was wondering if I really needed that middle support. I may just go without it. I was thinking of trying to put it back with regular pop rivets.

jwebb90162 · 11-03-2009, 06:30 PM

LOL, I know very well it pays to listen to my wife.

Lumatic · 11-03-2009, 09:02 PM

I agree with the above. A center brace is probably not needed. ZipDee will be very helpful with info. The hinges for the main arms are attached with stainless screws into the rib and Olympic rivets through the skin. You don't need to take off the inner skin for Olympic rivets. They are blind or pop rivets.

Listen to your wife next time, but pretend you are not.