Installing RV Awnbrella Awning Supports to Prevent Awning Sag

We have an 8' X 18' Carefree Awning on our travel trailer. And because of its size and how its supported rainwater would collect in the center of the awning and would not drain which could cause a serious failure with damage. With this problem we were unable to have the awning out even when it was raining with a light drizzle.
I installed awning supports as you will see me do in this video, and this solved our problem with any water collecting on the awning. If you are dealing with same problem and cannot tilt your awning to one side to drain this may be a good solution for you?
Prior to doing this I found the video and manual and did all that I could do and it won't tilt enough. I'm thinking one problem is the awning is not tight enough and has a sag to hold rain, if I can eliminate the sag and get what side to side slope I need to drain water the problem may be solved.
I was looking at the pressure struts on each of the awning arms and they don't seem to be making the awning taught. They may be bad or installed where the the struts can not apply enough pressure to keep the awning tight. I'm going to give Carefree a call pretty soon to discuss it with them.
Our trailer is a 2020 Lance 2375 that we bought around September last year. Prior we owned a 2107 Rockwood 2504S. As you can see I have made lots of videos on it in this link - www.youtube.co...
I hope you check out some of my other videos by clicking this link, they may be helpful to you in some way. Thanks for watching and happy camping!
www.youtube.co...
NOTE: Links to the products I used, and the Awnbrella Installation Manual are below.
Awnbrella Installation Manual -
lci-support-do...
Here's a great video on adjusting this awning and its features -
• How to Operate Carefre...
Michael Bracewell "The Travel Trailer Guy" is an Amazon Associate. I earn a small commission from qualifying Amazon purchases by you using the Amazon links below at no additional cost to you. Thank you!
Supports I Installed in this Video:
Lippert Components Solera Awnbrella Awning Fabric Support Kit -
amzn.to/41Clkjn
Awnbrella Installation Manual -
lci-support-do...
Another Option:
Amazon - Carefree 902821WHT-U RV Awning Curved Rafter-White -
amzn.to/48u5Osh
Another Option:
Carefree - Rafter Supports Links -
Supports - www.carefreeof...
Installation Manual - www.carefreeof...
• 3 awning bows
• Adjustable rust-resistant aluminum bows
• Keeps fabric from flapping in the wind
• Increases clearance over entry door
• Prevents awning fabric from sagging
• Helps prevent water from pooling
Prevent your RV awning fabric from sagging, pooling water, and flapping loose
Gives your awning fabric support it needs to stay tight and lifted
Helps increase clearance over your RV entry door
Easy to install kit comes with all necessary mounting hardware
3 bows are ideal for awnings between 14' and 18' wide
DISCLAIMER
The opinions expressed in our videos are our own or from a contributor. Before taking on any project or making a large purchase, we recommend you do your own research and consult a professional for advice. We are NOT liable for any damage to your RV or injury incurred as a result of following our tips, advice or instructions. We are not RV professionals or certified technicians. We are simply RV owners who work on our own RVs and have a desire to share what we learn with others. Be responsible and know your limits.

[@henrypretz]

Thank you for your video, Michael. I'm glad that you found a solution that solves the rain runoff issue. I have a difficult relationship with our Latitude awning. It feels like it needs to be babysat whenever it's out. I'm terrified that it is going to fail. It doesn't really handle any wind to speak of, and there is the rain runoff issue that you address. plus, with ours both doors need to be completely closed to extend it, and the front bedroom door cannot be opened all the way when it is extended. I miss the old headbanger that we had on our Roo. (which wasn't an issue since we're both pretty short in stature) Ok, I'm finished moaning about it for now 😊

[@thetraveltrailerguy]

Thanks so much for watching and sharing information Henry. I know its a love hate relationship with this awning, it has its pros and cons. I do have straps that can attach the roller ends down to the ground. I did not show in this video but might do so in a future video showing it shed water during a rain and with slight winds. Our doors have to be closed also but my wife discovered by calling Carefree (also check out the video link I shared below showing this) that ours can be operated by using our smart phone putting the awning in and out and turning awning lights on and off and even dimming them. I'm not sure if you know this so I'll share this with you. You can adjust the awning up or down and its easy to do so the doors will clear. Here's a good video to watch on how to do it - kzbin.info/www/bejne/qae4k4F5ad-al6ssi=Fs91cOCMcIfAL1er www.youtube.com/@thetraveltrailerguy/videos

[@savagechic7535]

Thank you for posting this. Was the only video that laid out all the details that made sense. Keep up the good work!

[@thetraveltrailerguy]

Thank you so much for watching and taking the time to comment :) I'm happy you liked it. I searched the web before making this video and didn't find any detailed videos out there so that's what inspired me to make it. Thanks again. NOTE: Links to the products I used, and the Awnbrella Installation Manual are below. Our trailer is a 2020 Lance 2375 that we bought around September last year. Prior we owned a 2107 Rockwood 2504S. As you can see I have made lots of videos on it in this link - www.youtube.com/@thetraveltrailerguy/videos Supports I Installed in this Video: Lippert Components Solera Awnbrella Awning Fabric Support Kit - amzn.to/41Clkjn I hope you check out some of my other videos by clicking this link, they may be helpful to you in some way. Thanks for watching and happy camping! www.youtube.com/@thetraveltrailerguy/videos Awnbrella Installation Manual - lci-support-doc.s3.amazonaws.com/manuals/awnings/ccd-0001250.pdf Here's a great video on adjusting this awning and its features - kzbin.info/www/bejne/qae4k4F5ad-al6ssi=UPAw5S_oiTIUmwvz Michael Bracewell "The Travel Trailer Guy" is an Amazon Associate. I earn a small commission from qualifying Amazon purchases by you using the Amazon links below at no additional cost to you. Thank you! Supports I Installed in this Video: Lippert Components Solera Awnbrella Awning Fabric Support Kit - amzn.to/41Clkjn Awnbrella Installation Manual - lci-support-doc.s3.amazonaws.com/manuals/awnings/ccd-0001250.pdf Another Option: Amazon - Carefree 902821WHT-U RV Awning Curved Rafter-White - amzn.to/48u5Osh Another Option: Carefree - Rafter Supports Links - Supports - www.carefreeofcolorado.com/products/rafter-supports/ Installation Manual - www.carefreeofcolorado.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/070027-001r2-Center-Support-Rafter.pdf • 3 awning bows • Adjustable rust-resistant aluminum bows • Keeps fabric from flapping in the wind • Increases clearance over entry door • Prevents awning fabric from sagging • Helps prevent water from pooling Prevent your RV awning fabric from sagging, pooling water, and flapping loose Gives your awning fabric support it needs to stay tight and lifted Helps increase clearance over your RV entry door Easy to install kit comes with all necessary mounting hardware 3 bows are ideal for awnings between 14' and 18' wide

[@dakotafisher6874]

Thanks again Michael. Except for one thing… Up here our rainy season is this summer. Of course in the winter it’s snow no camping with the awning out.

[@thetraveltrailerguy]

You're welcome and thanks again for watching all my videos. I feel sad for you having to deal with snow, I like seeing it but not driving in it or shoveling it :) Take care buddy and stay warm

[@joewong6662]

Looks clean. 👍

[@thetraveltrailerguy]

Thanks you so much Joe for the feedback, commenting and watching :) www.youtube.com/@thetraveltrailerguy/videos

[@garlandstyle5797]

Yer getting fancy Michael. :)

[@thetraveltrailerguy]

LOL I sure wish I didn't have to do this to our trailer but had to in order to shed rain water off. Unlike the Rockwood awning this awning does not tilt enough to do so :( We still really like this trailer a lot. Its built well :) I do what I can for America lol

[@robertnichols3646]

I found out the same thing, Lippert has very poor instructions on installation. I bought a slim shade door window for mine and it had no template for the cut out, I called Lippert and they said they do not recommend cutting the door but they would give me the part number for a new door with the window in it. Boy I was mad, I said well you all didn't say that when I ordered it, thanks for nothing and hung up!!

[@thetraveltrailerguy]

Oh wow Robert, you can install a window in your door but make sure you can first. Here's a video I made on how to do it, just take your time. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hGHQlnl_dr2BiZIsi=rXi3h-CAolrQmIjt

[@pauls7751]

I like the way it looks Michael. I wonder if it will help keep the awning stabilized in windy weather?

[@thetraveltrailerguy]

Thanks Paul, I used them on the awning in 20 MPH winds and they worked. I may try and use them in higher winds but I'm not sure would recommend using them in high winds. I mainly installed them so I can have the awning out if it is raining. Supports I Installed in this Video: Lippert Components Solera Awnbrella Awning Fabric Support Kit - amzn.to/41Clkjn Awnbrella Installation Manual - lci-support-doc.s3.amazonaws.com/manuals/awnings/ccd-0001250.pdf Here's a great video on adjusting this awning and its features - kzbin.info/www/bejne/qae4k4F5ad-al6ssi=UPAw5S_oiTIUmwvz

[@pauls7751]

​@@thetraveltrailerguy I like the way it looks too. Do you like that style awning better than the one on your Rockwood?

[@thetraveltrailerguy]

@@pauls7751 That's a very good question. They both have their pros and cons.....I like the Rockwood awning for its ability to slant it to shed rainwater and it keeps the awning more taught than the one we have now. The con with it is that it has the stabilizer arms that you can walk into. With the one we have now is nice because you don't have the stabilizer arms at all, it is controlled by using a app on my phone (to put it out and bring it in, also I can turn the lighting on/off and dim the lights also), it seems like the fabric is of a higher quality than the Rockwood and should last longer. Cons are I wish the awning fabric was able to get tighter so I did not have to use the bars to support it like I used in the video. So I'm really up in the air on which one I like the best?

[@yankeesusa1]

Did you get a new camper? Sorry i may have missed it.

[@thetraveltrailerguy]

Woops I forgot to let you know we did buy a 2020 Lance model 2375. We ran into a deal to buy it when some friends decided to upsize and we could not pass up on this deal, its a well built trailer and we really like the layout. Here's a detailed video on what it looks like inside and out except ours has a gray interior and swivel rockers in place of the couch you will see in this video - kzbin.info/www/bejne/kJ_Hi4yhntdnjsUsi=X4r9rbvcXfbmiQY8

[@USNavyAR5]

That's the draw back to that type of awning. Can't really adjust the pitch for water runoff like the headbangers. Always a trade off I suppose.

[@thetraveltrailerguy]

Thanks so much for watching and your service to our country. Its crazy that the company didn't design this awning to shed water. I like that there are no arms to get in the way and hit my head on but I really wish it would shed water without having to do what I did in the video. Thanks again for your service I appreciate it very much. www.youtube.com/@thetraveltrailerguy/videos

[@USNavyAR5]

It was an honor to serve my country and work with some of the finest sailors in the world. Thank you for your informative videos. I've completed some of the mods that you have done.

[@Enjoyrving]

Instead of buying something extra why not just adjust one side of the awning down and allow water to drain off?

[@thetraveltrailerguy]

Thanks so much for watching and commenting Neil. I totally agree and wish this awning would tilt enough to shed water to the side. We had a trailer prior to this on that had arms where you could tilt the awning and shed all the water off during rains. I wish I did not need these arms but in order to use them only when it rains so we can be outside we need them :( Here's where I mention in the video that the awning will not tilt - kzbin.info/www/bejne/pWTZn4Fmmdafm8Usi=3P52FoZeSw4B60F_&t=67 www.youtube.com/@thetraveltrailerguy/videos