Replace Fabric on A&E Awning

[Luc_DK]

Hi
i hope i can get some expert help now..
i have startet working on my 1969 Overlander

and I really want to change the Fabric on my Awning.
Type A&E System 8500

i have removed the awning from the AS.

but how do i take the fabric off the Roller ?
it looks like i have drill the rivets out to remove the fabric ?

is it true ? a bit strange i think.. and what the spring ?
is't dangerous to do it ?


which type fabric do you prefer ?
vinyl og Acryl ?
i'm thinking of Acryl.

any suggestion where to buy new Fabric ?
or do i have to get one sewed local ?
(i live in Europe (Denmark) and these Fold out awning with spring is not commen over here).



Regards

Peter

[Bob Thompson]

I highly recommend acrylic fabric "Sunbrella". It is the standard for most awning systems, it lasts years and years, it hardly fades at all even after years of sun exposure, and it comes in a wide variety of colors and patterns. I think most of the newer Airstreams come with it as standard. It's not cheap, but then the good stuff usually isn't.

[RickDavis]

I am not sure what you would do overseas, May be cheaper to get one made locally.
A google search should bring up a fair amount of info on changing it.

There is only a spring in the end with the latch. If you haven't already relaesed the tension be careful. I have always used a a pipe wrench. It will be fully tensioned at 10 to 15 turns depending on awning length.

You will have to drill the rivets out in order to install the new fabric.

This link will give you most of what you need.
RV Awning Repair

I purchased new fabric from Mark's RV but the link I saved no longer works.
There are many other sources.

[Melody Ranch]

I just did it. After the awning is down and apart...see the attached instructions....Take the old awning to a canvas shop with new Sunbrella and they can do it up correctly. Correctly is important. By the way you can buy new components, like springs, off EBAY very inexpensively. Good luck.
Send me an Email address and I can send you document instructions.

[Luc_DK]

@Bob

thanks i will look for sunbrella acryl fabric.

[Luc_DK]

@RickDavis

thanks for the guide link i will sure help me.

but i'm pretty sure i have a spring i both ends !!

in the rear end i have a spring (tension when i removed it).
and in the front end (where the latch/lock is located) it also feels like a spring inside.
but the cottor pin was broken so no tension here.

so i need new cotter pins, should i go for rustfree or ?

which end of the roller is the easist to disassembly. to take the fabric off
frontend with the latch/lock ?

regards

Peter

[Luc_DK]

@Melody Ranch

i will try and take it to a local shop thats make canvas for boats. i hope they can help.


nice to know spare parts is avail, my spring fells OK, but i need new cotter pins.

/Peter

[Luc_DK]

Hi Again :-)

it was very easy to take the fabric off the roller, just drilled the rivets out.

both springs looks fine, and the lock is OK.
i just need a new coter pin.

i took the fabric to a local canvas shop and they can sew a new awning and they use sunbrella fabric so it should be perfect :-)

but i have one question, when i put it together again, what is the easiest way, with the awning fold out or in ?

acording the the manual it need tension 10 windings on the spring, i assume it is when the awning is fold out right ??


regards
Peter

[RickDavis]

Tension the roller with the awning out (not wound on the spool) Then there should be enough tension to allow it to wind up properly
At least that is what I remember doing

[Luc_DK]

hi Rick

thanks i make most sense.. but i just want to be sure..

/Peter

[Melody Ranch]

Out. Rick said it right.

[Orlop]

if i remember right, the number of times to wind it are keyed to the length of the fabric .... 10 sounds like a lot, but if you have instructions then go with that. I wound mine 5 times for a 15 foot awning on my 24

[Luc_DK]

i have a 15 foot on my 27 overlander.
and when i look at the chart it says 10 turns.

which make is your awning ?


/Peter

[Orlop]

make is Coleman-Faulkner ...... probably the original hardware ..... awning material was in bad shape, but the frame is good