[fourteener]

Everyone,

I have an issue with my awning, and spent 4 hrs attempting to fix this past weekend with no solution. It is a 2-part questions/finding, but the overall subject is wrinkles/folds in my awning that are causing hairline cracks.

I have these two wrinkles/folds in my awning that form a 'V'. (See Attachment for a rendering of how they look.) I'm not sure what is causing them. My first thought was that I'm going to need to replace this in the next couple years, and then I though why don't I attempt to reinforce it so that I can make it 2-3 more years prior to replacement. It appears that the awning has been forming these wrinkles for some time, and with it rolled up in this manner, the wrinkles are now forming hairline cracks.

1) This past weekend I cleaned the awning, and bought some Camco awning repair tape. As suggested on the back I prepped the awning by cleaning and then scrubbing with alcohol. The ironic thing, is the awning repair tape would not stick? Wondering if anyone else has had this issue. It seems that Fiamma Awnings are made so slick that the tape couldn't even stick. Following a run to local big box hardware store I tried Gorilla clear repair tape that is labelled for awnings. This stuff sticks and the label stated that with time it will form a better bond.

2) Then I thought if I can get this thing to roll up flat (without the wrinkles) it should last for some time yet. The problem is I could not get it to roll back into the case without the wrinkles. I tried adjusting everthing. Adjusting the roller (door end), shock/extending arm adjustments, placing extra tape in various locations, and lubing the awning, etc. Nothing seems to work.

Has anyone else had this issue? Are there any recommended fixes? Is this one of those 'the damage is already done' events? What is the cheapest fix for the future replacement I'm looking at? Does the Car Show do awning repair?

Thanks Again TM Forum Team!