Why I am Repairing a RV Slide-Out Awning? 2019 Tiffin Red

In the ever ongoing saga of this 2019 Allegro Red Re-build, I am repairing the Dometic slide out topper awning damaged when I assume the driver drove head first into a service bay.
So I salavaged a torsion, used a extra set of arms and hardware, and replaced the fabric.
It went surprisingly well.
get the hardware kit here:
amzn.to/3rSVSDW
get the fabric here:
amzn.to/2OzdmGJ
Thanks

[@hcrffi]

👍👍 Nice job. Paint, tomorrow.

[@AZExpert]

I'm confident tomorrow "for sure"

[@tbone1690]

Another great video! Love the instruction and the humor as always...

[@AZExpert]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@brianfeeney1290]

Good video James I am beginning to think this coach is for you wink wink till next time be safe Brian

[@AZExpert]

Thanks 👍

[@TomSpurlock]

You make it look so easy. I enjoyed this video.

[@AZExpert]

thanks for watching Tom!

[@stevelittle7390]

My nephew and I just had to do this. Winds in Wyoming even broke the anti billowing device.

[@philw7174]

If you were my RV specialist, your answer would always be right. Thank you for the video James. Happy trails!

[@AZExpert]

Don't tell my wife that! :D

[@DonniePhipps]

Fixing stuff with one hand tied behind your back..you are an amazing tech..good job James

[@AZExpert]

thank you

[@TONYANDBRENDA1969]

Paint job will get done tomorrow!! Great video just replaced a topper 2 months ago.

[@AZExpert]

Right on!

[@rich2034]

You do better work with one hand than I do with 2.

[@AZExpert]

thank you

[@Graygeezer]

James, you worry about that paint not getting done as if that were your own rig! Thanks for bringing us along!

[@AZExpert]

thank you

[@dougchalmers5010]

Hey just realizing you do a lot of your work with one hand, and we really appreciate it! Thanks for the great content! 👍

[@AZExpert]

I appreciate that!

[@DavidHBurkart]

Strong work James. I have used a crescent wrench to do straightening as well. Love that! This project reminds me of the Lamb Chop Song... "This is the song that never ends..." 😂😂

[@AZExpert]

it feels like it too

[@brianbiggs3484]

Thanks James enjoying all your videos 👍👍🇨🇦✌️🇨🇦✌️👍

[@cwshumate914]

I can tell how much you care about your customers in how personally you take the work being done on this rig.

[@AZExpert]

thank you

[@johnb47201]

Nice rivet gun!!!!!

[@AZExpert]

thanks, I think I find reasons to use it now

[@hillbillyrv]

Great job James.

[@AZExpert]

thank you.

[@badgerpa9]

Smart to use what you have on hand. Thanks for another educational film. The garage door springs "will take your eye out." Up to a foot of snow possible here, should have went down to visit you. Stay safe and healthy and as always thanks for taking your time to make the videos.

[@AZExpert]

thanks for watching

[@rtjautomotive]

Gotta love them swintecs.Hopefully.

[@AZExpert]

so far it's been good. Small slides are the correct application at least

[@rickhicks3477]

Glade to see you using the best tool you have a Hammer 👍👍

[@AZExpert]

Always!

[@22howards]

James, I started laughing when you said your favorite tool is a hammer and a chisel. I used to work with a guy that said “ when your favorite tool is a hammer, everything looks like a nail!” It really make me laugh! I enjoy every posting you make.

[@AZExpert]

not my most favorite tool, but it works very well. :)

[@jmtckr]

found your channel yesterday. great vids, learning a lot....thanks

[@AZExpert]

Welcome!

[@cbueno6531]

I love what you do and your knowledge about RVs, but please buy a head strap to hold your camera while you do the work…. Keep up the good work.👍👍👍

[@johnclements8549]

Nice job! Thanks for sharing. A buddy of mine has a very late model Lance travel trailer and today his center skylight is leaking rain water. I figured we would just get up there and dab some Dicor on the seal. However all his vents & skylights look to be factory installed and sealed with Eternabond tape. Only exception is his sewer, sink and TV antennas have the goop Dicor. I am sending him back to his sealer. Those tape seals have a leak somewhere beyond my help. I should be under warranty. Was just surprised to see how they sealed around his vents & skylights.

[@AZExpert]

that is surprising to me too

[@papajoej]

One step at a time. Thank you.

[@AZExpert]

Always!

[@KevinCoop1]

Perfect timing on the unfurling device! I thought mine was not in the right place! Would have been nice to heard approximate number of turns, or how to know how many turns, but I understand!

[@AZExpert]

about 8, I don't want people blaming me for hurting themselves or breaking their springs.

[@KevinCoop1]

@@AZExpert It’s the same for giving free electrical advise if you’re a PE! Lots of ethics rules! Best to not say anything.

[@garyag45]

It was nice to see a repair, simply not remove and replace with new.

[@AZExpert]

thank you.

[@coderedfit]

Got any tips for getting a nice square cut? It seems more difficult to keep things square the longer the topper is.

[@richbowie76]

I'm hoping that you bought this !

[@AZExpert]

I mean, currently I own it until I'm paid. :)

[@robertburgess6100]

Great video!

[@AZExpert]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@MollydogRadar]

Bummer. I was hoping you would say how many turns to put on the spring. I had my 25 foot slide topper tore off in very high winds while in Oklahoma 3 months ago. I was able to secure the long tube to the motorhome and got it back to Arizona. I bought the replacement springs for both ends and new topper material. With help, I put it on the motorhome and gave each spring 5 turns, with the slide out 12" from the coach. While traveling through Utah, I soon found out that was not near enough. I took out the rivets, gave it another 5 turns, but in wind, that still doesn't seem like enough. Any ideas?????

[@marchalpeck470]

Was wondering what was going on with Big Red thanks for the update. If I owned this I would be terrified of the repair bill.

[@AZExpert]

I know what you mean, still better than a worthless broken RV though

[@RandyRobichaud]

How many turns? My spring has released and I need to know how many turns it takes. I have spring on one side only what's an 8' awing

[@rickl6697]

Awesome.

[@AZExpert]

Thanks!

[@jackiechiles270]

Currently working on Class A 40' NewMar. Has a 15' Slide-out Dometic topper. Initial complaint was torn topper. Upon looking at it, the MIDDLE of the topper was rolling up onto the TOP of the slide-out itself. Im not an expert by any means but ive changed several of these and never seen this problem. Owner stated this was original topper. Is this too much tension??

[@biggun98056]

I was wondering do you have any videos of you replacing slide out scraper seals great video on toppers thanks

[@AZExpert]

I don't think I do

[@jimashbridge9662]

When are you going to do the entryway stair cover fix

[@AZExpert]

This was finished and sold a year ago

[@ericgregory3005]

Where you cut the awning will it not tear since there is not a closed seam or something to keep it together? Also, are you the mystery owner?

[@AZExpert]

I am not the mystery owner, but this fabric is designed to be cut to fit. Thanks

[@paulshannon4576]

Could you not cut the tube down to get more clearance between the topper awnings?

[@AZExpert]

it would be 3 hours of work to remove about an 1inch as we still need overlap on the tube over the slide and for the fabric to fitt on the tube,

[@pauldietrich9199]

I am more interested in your ladder, where did you get it?

[@AZExpert]

amazon www.amazon.com/dp/B08RDD9HJQ?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_ZT0DEHRP6RCJ0QH22Q8D

[@jimmygonzales5756]

Do you do repairs I have a awning rail that separated from wall and tail end ?

[@jimmygonzales5756]

Do I add butyl tape under the awning rail or just caulk?

[@markstench4470]

🙋 I was paying attention.

[@AZExpert]

thank you!

[@SpykersB]

Great Mark! So how do I fix a topper where the fabric has come out of the track at the edge a couple inches? 😟

[@tedshaw8291]

Is that closet door mirror cracked

[@AZExpert]

yes, and it may have been my fault, and it might cause me grief everytime I see it

[@kpcrf450]

Camping this weekend in pretty windy conditions my slide topper on my winnebago 31k was rolling back and forth almost like it was un raveling but it would always go back. Is this normal? As a precaution I closed my slide

[@AZExpert]

it's normal in heavy winds but not light winds, you made the right choice. the anti-billow only works when the slide is retracted

[@rogerstruthers3799]

I'm thinking that there are a lot of us that want you to get a helmet or head CAM so you don't have to work with one hand all the time. Good job tho....

[@AZExpert]

I appreciate that, one day maybe.

[@sailorjohnboy2325]

One of these days,, you'll be able to finish it and bill it out.. The sun is eating the black fabric on my awning. I'm debating painting it black.

[@AZExpert]

I'm hoping it will be done one day

[@mike_adams]

Wow, a Tiffin Red .. did someone’s rich dad buy a 16 year old little RV for their birthday and turned them loose on the highway? Or maybe a salvage pickup from Whistling Diesel? This once beautiful Coach is flat out tore up!

[@AZExpert]

no, it seems a drunk owner was early to a service appointment before the service door was opened.

[@mike_adams]

@@AZExpert ah, so it's "that" coach. There's a youtube episode on the event.

[@pauljordan756]

I was actually stressed hoping you would not step off the edge of the lift platform!

[@AZExpert]

I appreciate the concern. I try to be careful. :)

[@jerryjerry8673]

With all of your experience, what is your top 3 manufacturers of replacement awning fabric? What features should we be aware of? Welded or sewn. Acrylic or Vinyl.

[@AZExpert]

welded is best, there is no difference between the lippert, carefree, or dometic vinyl fabric. Acrylic last longer but is expensive to replace and source when it needs to be done.

[@michellebarlondsmith6243]

tomorrow 50 mph wins ... I always worry about my toppers in high wind...

[@AZExpert]

I understand

[@terrywheelock9458]

WHAAAAAT ..... you are NOT a wasteful person, ..... what is wrong with you! 👍 Well if you had the "camera" on ya HEAD, ..... you would have two hands free, HMMMM! 🤣

[@AZExpert]

I think the term is cheap or stubborn

[@terrywheelock9458]

@@AZExpert Well, ok ..... but in a good way! 🤣

[@danielhopkins6290]

Paint tomorrow? 🙄

[@AZExpert]

for sure!

[@miket8324]

Do you have a PO BOX so people can send you stuff? If you would like I can send you a GoPro Hero 4 Black with head or chest strap. This would free both your hands.

[@TheGregWallace]

Looks like it was fixing to storm.....

[@AZExpert]

We got a nice cold spring storm this weekend

[@Wheres_Bobby]

Mañana

[@AZExpert]

it's started!

[@christopherrasmussen8718]

That is from the damn strapping BS..

[@AZExpert]

Im not sure, I think it was an impact from the patio awning