Exposed Wire on Awning

[Mauger]

If I did this right there should be a picture. The awning has two supports attached to the trailer, Aerolite 213RB. The one on the right has a black and red wire out to the side. Most likely suppose to be tucked behind the support bar. Anyone know if this is an easy fix. Very Poor response from dealer @ Trailer Hitch RV Center in Nipoma, CA. Won't go into it but if it is an easy fix I would like to just do it.

Five days old. I evidently missed it on the orientation.


The support bar looks horizontal but of course is vertical.

[hddecker]

The dealer sure spent a lot of time prepping your camper for sale. Dutchmen doesn't use a wiring harness so this is the kind of mess we have to fix.

You could be opening a can of worms if you do it yourself and something goes wrong. Dutchmen could have grounds to deny a warranty claim.

Once you start loosening stuff that has been sealed with butyl rubber, there is a good chance you will need to totally remove the awning to get it sealed backup.

I just finished fixing a gutter problem, it was a ten minute job to get the gutter off and a hour and a half getting all the old rubber off of the camper. Then another 10 minutes to replace the gutter.

If you have a scaffold and some help it can be done.

[wahoonc]

Looks like you should be able to tuck it back in. Do you have a picture from a bit further out (I am a big picture guy) Looks like about SOP for Dutchman and the dealer.

Aaron

[lcv800]

Originally Posted by Mauger

If I did this right there should be a picture. The awning has two supports attached to the trailer, Aerolite 213RB. The one on the right has a black and red wire out to the side. Most likely suppose to be tucked behind the support bar. Anyone know if this is an easy fix. Very Poor response from dealer @ Trailer Hitch RV Center in Nipoma, CA. Won't go into it but if it is an easy fix I would like to just do it.

Five days old. I evidently missed it on the orientation.


The support bar looks horizontal but of course is vertical.

How long of a run of wire is exposed? I assume it is for your awning light or power head for the awning. I had about 5" exposed on mine at the end and was able to tuck it up.
Rusty

[Mauger]

Three feet. You can see at the top it is pressed pretty hard. I might try to oil it up and see if I can get it back in, but mostly I think it is press too tight against the wall. My thought was, if there is a bolt at the top and bottom holding the support rail onto the trailer, I might loosen the top one just a bit to get the wire back in.

Before doing that I was hoping there is someone here who has seen the whole set up before.

My obvious concern is that if it is to the awning, and it snaps, there will not be enough wire exposed to reconnect the wire, and I will be stuck with an open awning.

[hddecker]

Originally Posted by Mauger

My obvious concern is that if it is to the awning, and it snaps, there will not be enough wire exposed to reconnect the wire, and I will be stuck with an open awning.

I would be concened that the wires have been pinched enough to have bare wires exposed.

[RVNevada]

Yea, Like a few stated, I would try and loosen the bolts and then take a good look at the wires before pushing them back under, and then reseal...

[Mauger]

Dutchmen was responsive to this issue. They gave me five local approved dealers, of which one has to submit a claim that fits within Dutchman's allowed hours.

Thanks for everyone's input.

[hddecker]

There ya go!

Once bitten, twice shy! I made the mistake once, to try to fix one of those picky little things. When I realized, I didn't have the tools I needed to do the fix, I had voided the warranty.

[Mauger]

I was out at the trailer today and was stunned to see no wires exposed. Also the gap between the trailer and the Awning support channels was bigger.

My assumption is that while the awning is being rolled out, I have to be extra careful that the wires do not start to come out. If they do, the awning's pressure will eventually pinch them. As was mentioned Dutchman does not contain them inside the channel. It is possible they are supposed to be more secure than they are but at least the problem in manageable.

Thanks for everyone's input.

[hddecker]

That sounds like there is a problem with the awning install. There shouldn't be any gaps opening up to allow the wires to fall out. If that is happening the awning will be flexing on the fasteners as the wind buffets it. That can lead to the failure of fasteners or being ripped out of the wall.

I would be running the awning out and see how much free play there is at the wall. You shouldn't have to manage anything, other than the switch to run the awning.

[wildwest450]

Originally Posted by hddecker

That sounds like there is a problem with the awning install.

I agree, if there's enough wiggle in the wall brackets to allow a wire to come out, it's just a matter of time (probably one year and one day) before your awning gets ripped down by the wind.

[Mauger]

Well experience prevails.

There are two channels. The ones connected to the trailer are solid, and that is the one that has the wire sticking out. The outside channel that moves when the awning is used covers the wire when the awning is retracted - but it is still out. I was fooled. The outside channel is firm on the left side and loose on the side with the wire exposed. Could be two separate problems. Back to plan A and get it into the shop.

Thank You.

[Mauger]

Originally Posted by Mauger

Well experience prevails.

There are two channels. The ones connected to the trailer are solid, and that is the one that has the wire sticking out. The outside channel that moves when the awning is used covers the wire when the awning is retracted - but it is still out. I was fooled. The outside channel is firm on the left side and loose on the side with the wire exposed. Could be two separate problems. Back to plan A and get it into the shop.

Thank You.

Dutchmen approved for Camping World to put in an addition channel to protect the wire which they are currently sending. I am not clear if this channel was suppose to have been there or not. I did learn that the wires I was looking at, as shown in earlier pictures, was for the strip of LED lighting, and not the awning which was my biggest concern.

[wahoonc]

There is "usually" a plastic cover channel that goes inside the channel mounted to the wall to cover any wiring. Some brands of awnings have them on both front and rear channels, others only on the one that has the wiring.

Aaron