Awning retention hook gone, would you replace?

[MN Jeff]

One of the two hooks that hold the awning roller during transit has disappeared on the way to a campground this weekend. Wondering how important these things really are since I would often find that they don't even stay in the "hooked" position when driving. It is the rear one that went missing, not sure if it broke or fell off. I think I could live with it if there's no compelling safety reason for them. Seems like the tension of the awning roller is what holds this closed, but if that were to fail...

[Foiled Again]

Originally Posted by MN Jeff

One of the two hooks that hold the awning roller during transit has disappeared on the way to a campground this weekend. Wondering how important these things really are since I would often find that they don't even stay in the "hooked" position when driving. It is the rear one that went missing, not sure if it broke or fell off. I think I could live with it if there's no compelling safety reason for them. Seems like the tension of the awning roller is what holds this closed, but if that were to fail...

Replace it. Odds are you'll be OK until a big double trailer semi passes you on the right.... suck that thing right open. Now is it the HOOK or the round thing that you tighten down with the awning pole? Either way, order a replacement from your local dealer - or from a salvage operation like Colaw's. (Someone out there has a "donor" Airstream or two. Just ask.)

Paula

[Tincampers]

I used Loc-tite on mine as the screw would not stay in place.

[jdalrymple]

The awning can unroll without the hook.

The locking knobs simply hold the arms and main roller against the roof. They do not prevent the roller from unrolling.

Call Zip-Dee. They are great folks, their parts are reasonably priced, and they know the product.


Regards,

JD

[Rich W]

My 23' has 2 round knobs on the top front and rear, the claw towards the rear and 4 bungee cords on the rafters. It came open on the PO, I don't want that thing coming open on me . Belt and suspenders, belt and suspenders....

[stsammy]

We just had the same discovery on our long weekend here. We were able to grab hardware at Can-Am since we were close by. It was under $10 for the hardware, totally reasonable.

Agree strongly with the Lock-Tite recommendation. Once you see the design, you'll be surprised they don't undo more often.

[nsbcpa]

I put a couple tie-wraps around the closed arms when traveling to keep the awning from accidental opening. I don't trust the hook.

[dwightdi]

I use a clip that goes around the two rods. They can be bought at farm stores or hardware. I use the same clip as a secondary way to secure the tanks.

[m.hony]

My travel hook on the big awning is very loose.
I am just waiting for it to fall off.
How do I tighten it?
I may do the clip around the 2 bars like the previous post.
It seems like the spring pressure would hold the awning against the side of the trailer.

[Tincampers]

Originally Posted by m.hony

My travel hook on the big awning is very loose.
I am just waiting for it to fall off.
How do I tighten it?
I may do the clip around the 2 bars like the previous post.
It seems like the spring pressure would hold the awning against the side of the trailer.

You need to get to the screw which is on top of the clamshell around the awning. Have your assistant pull the awning out far enough for you to reach the screw and the hook at the same time. Tighten the screw while holding the hook. I backed my screw out almost all the way and added a drop of lic-tite and then tightened the screw. Hasn't moved since.

[Native143]

And if I don't have an assistant.. how do I reach that screw? Mine is really loose in the back. Just keep waiting for it to fall off.

[spclkaz]

Well... I would definitely do SOMETHING... in my twenty + years of RVing, I have seen or met at three RVers whose awnings were torn off enroute because a part failed or they failed to adequately secure them before departure... it was not a pretty site the day I was traveling behind a fellow Airstreamer down the freeway and his awning detached flying over the top of his trailer and doing additional damage... but fortunately not striking anything else before it came to rest in the median strip

Personally after checking that the awning wheels are locked tight and secured... I also secure the awning arms near the top and halfway down with six inch bungee ball cords like those pictured here...

ww.amazon.com/Kotap-BB-6B-Bungee-6-Inch-25-Piece/dp/B00DPLM5YU?ie=UTF8&keywords=bungee%20ball%20cord&q id=1464714457&ref_=sr_1_2&sr=8-2

Over kill? ...maybe... but, better safe than sorry I say...

[greghoro]

I've found that a loose screw for the retaining hook can enlarge the hole through the metal awning wrap

You may want to put a thin fender washer under the screw head before reinstalling the retaining hook to provide additional reinforcement.


Greg

[silverlabs]

As far as securing the awning arms, a couple of velcro bands work great. Get a package of 10 from Harbor Freight for a couple of bucks. Quick, easy and don't cause any damage to arms. Would still replace the hook and use a thread lock on it.

Chuck

[Rich W]

Originally Posted by SKP46015

Personally after checking that the awning wheels are locked tight and secured... I also secure the awning arms near the top and halfway down with six inch bungee ball cords like those pictured here...

ww.amazon.com/Kotap-BB-6B-Bungee-6-Inch-25-Piece/dp/B00DPLM5YU?ie=UTF8&keywords=bungee%20ball%20cord&q id=1464714457&ref_=sr_1_2&sr=8-2

Over kill? ...maybe... but, better safe than sorry I say...

I got mine at Walmart, all black, but same size. The PO used them and advised me to do the same.

Your link didn't work. I think this is what you had:
http://www.amazon.com/Kotap-BB-6B-Bu.../dp/B00DPLM5YU

[Tincampers]

Originally Posted by Native143

And if I don't have an assistant.. how do I reach that screw? Mine is really loose in the back. Just keep waiting for it to fall off.

You could use a rope and a tent stake or some other stout structure to hold it open for you.

[Drathaar]

Jeff, replace it. Our first Airstream, a 1998 Safari did not have a retention hook. While traveling through the Dakotas in a severe cross wind, the cloth awning was pulled out from under the articulated cover, and ripped to shreds.

[murreywalker]

Call Linda at Zip Dee. She'll get you the hardware you need.

I lost the Hook (not one of the two wheel clamps, but the hook), and she sent a new replacement fast.

[Ray Eklund]

Mrprez's 2014 and my 2014 have the same issues with the hook screw loosening while traveling.

It is very awkward to get a philips screwdriver to tighten and hold the hook from spinning, when trying to tighten it. You need a ladder, for sure, and the awkward nature of needing BOTH HANDS to do the job, leaves you helpless otherwise. Help is suggested.

Unroll the awning just enough. Too much and your arms are not long enough to hold the hook and philips screwdriver to tighten. Great test of anyone's patience.

Lock tight may work, but I might try something more permanent and look at a longer bolt and add a nut. It is chronic if you do nothing else, but tighten the bolt.

When I screw securely both 'wheel ends' of the awning, I have no idea how it would unroll while moving. It would be a surprise to me that the hook holds the awning from unrolling. I am going to check that out later today. Maybe someone can explain to me how that could happen.

[nwclassic]

Our 2002 25' has only one hook towards the rear. It rotates with some resistance… yours should too. A loose hook will not remain clasped and will eventually fall off. Tighten it's replacement enough to create resistance. Thread lock helps keep it that way. Peening the screw end will prevent it from unscrewing too.