How do I Repair an A&E 8500 Awning?
A&E 8500 RV awnings are made by the Dometic company, but you can find replacement parts from a number of different RV retailers. Since these awnings are fairly easy to install and use, they're also fairly easy to repair. The most common type of problem with your A&E awning is likely to be a tear in the fabric, which can be fixed with just a few steps.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Order awning repair tape or a vinyl patch kit and a vinyl wash from an RV supply store.
-
2
Unroll the awning and allow it to hang down along the side of the RV.
-
-
3
Wash the torn area using the vinyl wash. Completely dry the area with a towel or allow it to air dry before moving on to the next step.
-
4
Place the torn area on a flat surface such as sawhorses and a flat piece of wood or a table. If your torn area is near the top of the awning, use two ladders and a piece of wood.
-
5
Hold the torn area together and apply the repair tape over the torn area. Take care to apply the tape in the right location the first time as it can stick quite easily. Apply the tape to both sides, taking care to keep the area flat during the application.
If you have a major hole, apply a vinyl patch over the area as opposed to the tape. Replacement patches typically have a sticky material on them, so take care to place the patch in the proper position the first time. If you don't, use another patch over the first one as opposed to trying to remove it.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
If your awning has multiple tears or seems unrepairable, you can purchase a replacement awning from an RV supply store instead of trying to fix it. Other hardware, such as awning arms, can also be purchased at RV supply stores or from the Dometic company.
References
- Photo Credit coach, trailer image by Greg Pickens from Fotolia.com
