Quick Fixes for Caravan Awnings
Having trouble with your caravan awning? You don’t always have to take it to the garage to get it repaired or checked up. A periodic checkup is always good as it helps to conduct timely maintenance of the caravan. But there is no need to rush to the garage every time you come across a problem with the caravan awning. After all, if you are on the road, you would have to manage things on your own with little or no help available on the way.
Here are some quick fixes for your caravan awnings that you can manage on your own without any professional help. These are mere suggestions that will allow you to make quick fixes. If you find that the problem is severe, then it would be better to get it checked at the garage or by an expert to avoid incurring further damage.
Replacing Awning Straps Without Disassembling the Caravan Awning
Awning straps can get worn out and may not be effective enough in this condition. While it is easy to replace the straps, one usually has to disassemble the entire structure for getting the job done. There is a good chance that the strap may be torn partially at the point where it is connected to the awning channel. All you need to do is to drill a hole at a 45 degree angle in the channel to get the old strap out and install the new one in its place. The new strap easily slides into the channel. The only thing that you need to be careful about is to make the hole perfectly. You can do it with a cordless drill as well. The best thing about this approach is that you don’t need to disassemble everything for replacing the strap.
Repairing Rips, Tears and Punctures to Awnings
Rips, tears and punctures to caravan awnings are inevitable when you are on the road. There can be countless reasons behind such minor damages. Don’t worry. These things will not require the entire awning to be replaced. Simply use awning repair tapes to repair the fabric and keep it in place so that further damage is avoided. The tapes have a very strong adhesive layer which allows the bonds to be highly cohesive. It is this feature which holds the fabric together and keeps minor tears from becoming worse when the awning is set up.
Fixing Uneven Winding of the Awning
You must have faced the problem of uneven retracting or winding of the caravan awning. This needs to be kept perfectly aligned. During installation, it is generally ensured that the awning is fitted perfectly with both arms being positioned in parallel and the awning fabric is made to stretch between these arms. The best solution for this is to realign the arms and make sure they stay in their position.
You should also check the screws and make sure the chord is positioned correctly. For hindered movement, you could use lubrication for reducing friction during movement. If you notice any structural defect, then the most effective solution would be to get it checked by a professional. By attempting to repair the problem, you could actually end up worsening the problem. Replacement should only be considered as a last resort.