Installing an awning...

[AIR-Quarius]

Hi Gang out there. I called a place up north here called 'canvas replacements'...We measured what was left of the former awning across- and came up with 14'2 and 1/2 inches wide...They quoted a replacement tarp at close to 230.00 plus twenty dollars shipping. And these folks don't charge until the awning is delivered (Ithink thats how it went), anyway, our 'roller' part that extends out appears to have two groves in it...one groove still holds the decorative part that hangs downward once extended and the other grove must be for the main body of the awning. Now, here's the question. Does it have to be rolled out to be installed, or does one slide everything in place from one end while its against the body of the house...This is my question and I hope some of you folks have your tips and advice....MOMMIE!

[AIR-Quarius]

P.S. I am asking this because the roller is spring loaded, and I don't want to end my life at this time --getting slapped in the face, head and overall upper body by an industrial spring. I figure that would kind of smart!

[azflycaster]

It does not sound like a zipdee awning, but either way you will have to unroll the existing fabric. The safest way to do this would be to remove the tension from the roller, replace the fabric and then put tension back into the roller.

[overlander63]

Without a picture, it's hard to be sure, but it sounds like you have an A&E/Carefree awning. If so, there should be a lever at the front part of the roller tube. You would roll the old awning out, make sure the lever is engaged (it is a brake), and take the other end of the roller off the tube. The awning will then slide off the tube in that direction.
You will also have to slide the awning off the awning rail of the trailer. It should have a set screw holding it in place. Remove the set screw, and slide the awning off the rail, like you just did with the tube.

[AIR-Quarius]

Good...The former awning was literally cut off, or sliced away from the frame while it was extended out...then I removed that little screw at the top that holds the inserted 'welp cord' that slides in...just above the door. I will beleive we did the same at the furtherest part - of it outward. There IS a brake lever and the roller part was put back up against the trailer for the meantime until the fix happens..which is coming up...I did not disclose the length (not the width) to the makers, and wondered if there was a universal footage. The awning frame features 'curved arms' that contour right along the trailers' wall when closed, and curve upwards when extended. So you are telling me to have that brake 'locked' when it is pulled out for installation, and then unlock it when the fabric/vinyl etc has been put in place....right?