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mid awning support bracket

November 17, 2015, 02:11:51 pm

Hi, I have purchased a tension rafter for the mid awning area and the optional ground support.

Question;  there is a plate approx  2 1/2  x  5 1/2  inches  which takes 4 rivets, one in each corner.  The bracket that holds the rafter takes 2 large screws through the plate and into the coach. The area in question is adjacent to and 5 inches below the second awning slot which is not used, as the awning is higher. In other words, the plate is to be fixed to the flat side of the coach before the radius to the roof.  I'm I looking for a vertical frame member to attach this to and or is there a type of header that runs along the top of the coach just before the radius. If so, how wide or deep are these supports?  Thanks very much.  Tom

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Re: mid awning support bracket

Reply #1 – November 17, 2015, 02:26:16 pm

Pictures would be good.

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Re: mid awning support bracket

Reply #2 – November 17, 2015, 02:32:52 pm

When I mounted the support on our coach, I used the directions sent with the support. I don't know if there is a vertical frame support but would asuume there is one horizontally.

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Re: mid awning support bracket

Reply #3 – November 17, 2015, 02:35:49 pm

Yes, pictures would be good. One day I'm going to have to sit down and see if I can learn how to do that. Then I may also show some improvements; extended counter, third valve and the "haygarth spoiler"

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Re: mid awning support bracket

Reply #4 – November 17, 2015, 02:43:07 pm

The instructions I have do not include where to drill the holes. Not being able to find a ZIP  DEE  type , I have Carefree of Colorado model. Rivets for the plate I suppose may go anywhere however the inch and a half x 1/4 inch screws should find a strong material such as wood and or steel, as opposed to fiberglass and insulation.

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Re: mid awning support bracket

Reply #5 – November 17, 2015, 02:48:17 pm

tom
on a cool dewey morning you can see the structural members. mark where you
can drill into a solid spot. I preferred screws to rivets

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Re: mid awning support bracket

Reply #6 – November 17, 2015, 02:51:16 pm

If I remember correctly, I just attached the rivets, slid the plate up until it gave ample support, drilled the holes and mounted it securely. Hope this helps.

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Re: mid awning support bracket

Reply #7 – November 17, 2015, 03:44:26 pm

May have to wait awhile for that cool dewy morn; it was 84 last night at 3 am; Mazatlan, Mexico. P.S. diesel and gas down here is, I think around 3.40 a US gal

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Re: mid awning support bracket

Reply #8 – November 17, 2015, 04:01:38 pm

Magnet will also locate the frames

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Re: mid awning support bracket

Reply #9 – November 17, 2015, 04:11:32 pm

You need a pretty strong magnet to find steel structure in the side walls but it works. Aluminum roof and wall to roof structure can be detected with a better quality stud finder.

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Re: mid awning support bracket

Reply #10 – November 17, 2015, 04:20:14 pm

Quote from: Roger & Susan in Home2 – November 17, 2015, 04:11:32 pm

  a better quality stud finder.

 We've been married for forty years. At that early time, my soon to-be DW admitted she'd made a search and found me! 

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Re: mid awning support bracket

Reply #11 – November 17, 2015, 05:21:28 pm

I installed a centre support without the mounting plate by using the method suggested by Wayne M.
However, I found after about 5 years, the centre support was damaging the awning, so I removed it.
I had too much pressure on the centre support, so place so that the still has some sag at the centre.

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Re: mid awning support bracket

Reply #12 – November 17, 2015, 05:33:40 pm

Here's a couple of photos that will give you an idea of the frame location. Wish I had a better one on the big awning side. Good luck.
jor

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Re: mid awning support bracket

Reply #13 – December 04, 2015, 09:13:25 pm

Thank you for all the replies. I gave it some more thought. My solution was a suction cup and I found it at Auto Zone for around 8 dollars. It is a heavy duty dent remover. An ability to pull 80 pounds. A 5 inch piece of 1 inch angle aluminum sits well on the handle with 2 rivets. Couple of small screw bolts sets the stationary arm (supplied with the rafter) in place , on the aluminum, to receive the rafter. All is portable and may be taken down or put up in a couple of minutes.  The plus; a dent puller if needed for a tool.    Tom

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Re: mid awning support bracket

Reply #14 – December 04, 2015, 09:50:20 pm

I am lucky as the main awning on our rig sits above the radius of roof and drip trough. With this setup I cut and shaped a piece of Mexican cedar 1" thick a few years ago to fit the tube radius and come to almost a sharp point that sits in the drain trough and supports the tube very well. It will not flex while driving and has never moved due to the slight loading of tube on it. This does not get rid of the small sway in tube but it has never got worse which is what I wanted. I will post a picture in the am as it is 7.40pm here in San Carlos Mex and too dark.
JohnH

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