Fix for Sagging Slideout awnings

I was tired of my living room Slideout awning sagging and catching huge puddles of Rain water. So I made a PVC frame to support the awning.

Its 7' long, 2' wide. weighs about 2lbs at the most. ITs very light. I used the light schedule 3/4" PVC pipe.
Its a little lighter than the thicker pipe. I used the 4way fittings on the ends as well so I could slide a length of pipe for pushing it in and pulling it back out.

I used 4 -- 10' sections of pipe and I'd have to recount the fittings but I used 4 ways, T's, and 90*'s,

You can see the sag I get without it in the picture. When the frame is put in place the fit is perfect and holds the awning firm. The legs on the camper side are a little higher and the one's on the outter side are a little shorter to allow for the sloping of the awning.

I'm gonna use a red tag on the Slide button so I want make the mistake of trying to close it with the frame up there. I'll also glue each half of the frame and make the middle where it will slide apart for storage. Each half would fit easily in the storage compartment.







Did anyone have something else they were using to support the awning ?

Our Wildcat doesn't have a slide awning, but my last TT did. I used a blow up beach ball. It created a high point in the center.

John

I tried a beach ball but my slide is so wide. The frame doesn't weigh much more than a beach ball and it won't blow away in a storm.

Very nice Phillip; lots of detail work!

Where will you store it when not in use?

The reminder thing is a good idea. I did that with our antenna so we wouldn't drive off with it still up, hung a sign by the TV so we couldn't miss it. It seems you get to a point in life where some details are more easily forgotten. :roll:

TC

i really like the ideaof the support. our awing cover also sags over the larger slide out. let us know when you find a really good place to store it!

I've been wanting to do this but being the procrastinator that I am just haven't gotten to it. I've had different design ideas but I really like yours.

That looks great, Phillip. I'd probably forget why the red tag was by the slideout switch, close the slides, and be in big trouble.

Tater

Nice job.....probably something I'll add to my to-do list.

TC wrote:Very nice Phillip; lots of detail work!

Where will you store it when not in use?

The reminder thing is a good idea. I did that with our antenna so we wouldn't drive off with it still up, hung a sign by the TV so we couldn't miss it. It seems you get to a point in life where some details are more easily forgotten. :roll:

TC

we've posted a checkout list on the cabinet by the door that has line item things to do when closing the camper before leaving to either come home(and leaving the camper at the campgound) or hit the road. and we put a keyholder hook right at the bottom for my vehicle keys.....that way there's no excuse for forgetting anything.

I found a better storage space. Fits easily under the Jack Knife Sofa. I glued everything except the middle and the legs.
You can fold the legs flat and seperate it in the middle. Not much bigger than a small step ladder. But it slides easily under the sofa.

Phillip,

Great idea. I do not have a slide awning, but I will store this idea away for use later.

Keep those ideas coming!

Update on the Slideout awning support.

It worked great. Not a drop of water stayed on the canvas.

I wound up storing it in the basement. After I packed everything it fit easily on top of everything else. All it needs is 1" of head room to slide into. It fits the width of the compartment with room to spare.

Putting the step ladder up took longer than to put the frame in place. It goes in and out and breaks down for storage in seconds.

I'm glad it worked well. It's a great idea, something we might want to do..... but it's just one more thing we have to remember. Lists don't help us much, we forget to look at them.

Tater

looks like it's time to get out the miter saw and pvc glue! do you think those little rubber chair stops on the ends might be worthwhile?

end covers for the legs are not needed. the pvc slides pretty easy and doesn't mark up the slide roof. But don't let me stop you from trying them. you never know.

I'm officially jealous!

TC

With 10bucks worth of pvc and 1hour or less of your time you can
be sport'n one of these bad boys...

Phillip, Why don't you make them to order and sell them?

10 bucks material and about 100 buck labor? Sounds about right. :tongue:

Pretty soon, we'll see your invention in the Camping World catalog. :P

TC

the thought crossed my mind. I can't believe camping world doesn't already have something like that.