Awning problems

[allott1]

I have a 2011 16-49-2. The front leg of the rollout awning has pulled the screws out of the van.Has anyone else had this happen?? How do I fix it?

 

[Brad]

I probably would have jammed some dowel into the hole and screwed back into it

 

[Capt. Gadget]

Yep bit of dowel with a dob or two araldite and screw the screws back in

 

[Burnsy]

I thought these were screwed into the aluminium inside the walls? If so I'd consider using oversize screws.

 

[Pace]

I thought these were screwed into the aluminium inside the walls? If so I'd consider using oversize screws.

Nah mate there is a big pieces of hardwood in these location where they position for these type of screws to go into. I seen them during the factory tour placing them in when they were make up the walls.
Also, when I fitted my awning, i done the good old knock with a knuckle to be sure what I was drilling into when i placed the feet for the uprights.
Pace.

 

[Burnsy]

Nah mate there is a big pieces of hardwood in these location where they position for these type of screws to go into. I seen them during the factory tour placing them in when they were make up the walls.
Also, when I fitted my awning, i done the good old knock with a knuckle to be sure what I was drilling into when i placed the feet for the uprights.
Pace.

Thanks mate, see I learnt something today!

 

[MastoCamper]

Hi @Burnsy

I just replaced the dodgy coach screws holding my awning arms on to the side of the van for a different purpose as you can see on my post; http://www.expandasdownunder.com/threads/mastos-16-49-1b.3104/, the timber inside the wall at that location looked like ply wood (essentially a soft wood laminated), sorry to doubt Pace and hard wood would have been ideal, but your screw shouldn't have pulled out.

I wood suggest either builders bog or drilling out inserting thread inserts (made specifically for soft woods) as I had done and replace the screws with bolts, washers and spring washers.

Cheers
Masto

 

[Burnsy]

Hi @Burnsy

I just replaced the dodgy coach screws holding my awning arms on to the side of the van for a different purpose as you can see on my post; http://www.expandasdownunder.com/threads/mastos-16-49-1b.3104/, the timber inside the wall at that location looked like ply wood (essentially a soft wood laminated), sorry to doubt Pace and hard wood would have been ideal, but your screw shouldn't have pulled out.

I wood suggest either builders bog or drilling out inserting thread inserts (made specifically for soft woods) as I had done and replace the screws with bolts, washers and spring washers.

Cheers
Masto

Thanks mate, sounds like a great solution, I'll remember that if my screws ever pull out.
Cheers.

 

[MastoCamper]

Thanks mate, sounds like a great solution, I'll remember that if my screws ever pull out.
Cheers.

lol, sorry don't know why I thought you posted original thread,

 

[Burnsy]

lol, sorry don't know why I thought you posted original thread,

 

[dagree]

Had ours pull out (Due to slightly bent arm) when closing the awning. Unfortunately took some big sections of timber with it.
Cut some aluminium chequer plate, screwed that to the ali frame and refitted the awning mount to the plates.

Have a couple of pics on laptop. Will get it out and post if I find them.

 

[dagree]

Found them...... Might not look the prettiest but it has strengthened the arms (Best I could do the day before leaving for a trip and all I had on hand). Did the same to the front as I removed the fittings and there were a few hairline cracks in the wall around the screw holes.



Before and after.
Might redo them one day with powder coated flat ali sheet so they don't stand out as much.

 

[Burnsy]

Good job @dagree, I must say now that I've had an "inside look" I don't think that's a real good design on the manufacturers behalf.....I'd prefer tapped holes in aluminium!

 

[Stan53]

Wow, what a mess. I thought the awning would be attached to the metal not timber. Looks good now though.

 

[Brad]

Is that all that holds the awning in place!!
I'm surprised more don't come off.

 

[dagree]

Couldn't believe it either when I saw that they were only screwed into timber (and a thin layer of fibreglass).
Apart from getting half the screws into the ali frame there was half a tube of heavy strength liquid nails pumped in the hole prior to screwing the chequer plat on..... HMMMM that might make it a little bit hard to remove if I do redo it

 

[allott1]

Thanks for the advise.I will make some plates and re screw.