Reattaching awning bracket

[2rhagan]

The back awning bracket on our 2000 HiLo 2710 Classic was ripped off (that's another story) & we need to know what's underneath the location on upper part of the trailer to reattach it. We have the original piece & really need to know that in order to use our trailer awning. Appreciate any help.

 

[Sam Shields]

The awning screws go into a strip if wood. If the wood is to damaged to bad for the screws to reatach the bracket. Try bolting the bracket to a flat piece of metal long enough to reach past the bad wood on each side and screw to good wood. I have used this prosedure many times and you end up with a working repair that does not look bad. I sugest you paint the metal white so it does not rust.

 

[cahuey-HILO]

Excellent suggestion. My front lower bracket also got ripped off (don't ask) and while the screws "sort of" hold it in, it's not secure.

Thanks for the great idea!

 

[JackandJanet]

I've used epoxy in the past to repair torn out screw holes, but the metal strip idea sounds stronger to me.

- Jack

 

[Lloyd-HILO]

The weight of a water laden awning may cause the bracket to break away. A fellow Hi-Lo owner advised me to check mine and sure enough it was sagging badly because the lag bolt was stripping out. A good idea to keep an eye on it!

 

[PopRichie77]

Is there a cover of some kind for the awning? I see mildew on mine and the trailer has to set outside.

 

[retiredcamper47]

I have had this problem with my 2001, 29' HiLo. The small cap screws or lag bolts were pulling out. I removed the wooden trim piece on the inside of the bottom half, used a longer drill bit to drill upwards from where the awning bracket mounted, and drilled all the way thru the wood. I then ran bolts thru the holes from the inside, placed the bracket back in place, and put nuts and lock washers on the bolts. I had to countersink the bolt holes on the inside so that the wooden trim piece would lay flat when reinstalled. This took care of the problem for me. I also made 2 "spacers" from 4 x 4 lumber. I cut them about 6 - 8" long and painted them white. I place them between the awning bracket and the lower body half when I have the awning up. This prevents the brackets from "wiggling" when the wind blows. I had to adjust the thickness of the 4 x 4's to fit the gap between the brackets and the trailer side. Just have to remember to remove them before lowering the top.

 

[JackandJanet]

One thing you can do to prevent water from "puddling" on an extended canopy is to not raise both sides equally. I normally set one end about 2-3 "clicks" lower than the other so that water runs off if it rains.

- Jack

 

[retiredcamper47]

I keep the awning end away from my door 3 holes lower than the opposite end. I put a small mark with a Sharpie felt tip marker at the holes I want to lock in at on the awning arm. Now I don't have to count the holes when I raise the awning to insure one end is lower than the other.

 

[Lloyd-HILO]

Awning Bolts

I did a similar fix as Retiredcamper, by drilling up thru! I used a forster drill on the wood cover and the top of the bolt and washer is visible but countersunk enough to not be that noticable.

2704 Towlite
2004 Expedition