Alert Girard Awning Mounts WRONG!!

[MapNerd]

Funny. My rear is slightly longer than my front.

 

[CaptainGizmo]

So, that means page 2 is correct for you but not others?
Meaning both DS and PS sides are pretty much match each other?

aaaaaaaannd I wanna find the nearest wall for my head!! ?

This is exactly why I'm pressing Newmar to show me exactly how MY coach was constructed.

 

[redbaron]

My front awning is 18'. My rear awning is 18.5'. I just measured it.

According to your specials on comnet, your awning should also be the same as mine. It is possible that they also swapped those 2 awning, resulting in yet another problem for you

 

[redbaron]

For reference, here is a view of my roof. Not as clean as it is going to be tomorrow, but it shows the brackets clearly.

 

[Neal]

It looks to me Newmar simply evenly spaced the brackets.

Edit: driver's side is evenly spaced, passenger side is different on rear awning.

 

[redbaron]

It looks to me Newmar simply evenly spaced the brackets.

Edit: driver's side is evenly spaced, passenger side is different on rear awning.

The rear awning on my coach is correctly installed, and is the longer one.

RH and LH refer to the motor mount location. When facing the side of the coach, looking up, the rear awning has the motor on the RH side, and the front awning has the motor on the LH side. This will properly align the motors for a common wiring route.

This information matches what I find in Comnet, with the longer awning (18.5') being specified as RH and the shorter (18') beings specified as LH.

We need @CaptainGizmo to confirm measurements on his. I have looked up comnet and see that his awning package was ordered the same as mine. I am hoping that detail was just a missed memory on his part.

 

[CaptainGizmo]

UPDATE 8/19/20:

I received a call from the manager of Newmar's Customer Service Department.

I'll tell you the bottom line and spare you the details...

• They are fully aware of the awning install problem on multiple coaches.
• They are working on gathering what the issue is, in terms of why Girard is saying the mounts are incorrect now, after the installation plans had already met their inspection and approval.
• They do NOT have a solution for remedy at this time; it may take a couple weeks to sort out.
• There is NO type of "As-Built" plan for their coaches.

That's it. They will contact me, once a "plan of action" is determined.

In the meantime, I suspect John, @MapNerd, will be on the forefront of whatever "plan" Newmar comes up with since his service is in a couple weeks.

 

[MapNerd]

Fishing line and coat hangers, baby. We’ll make a Mewnar of this coach yet!

 

[CaptainGizmo]

This information matches what I find in Comnet, with the longer awning (18.5') being specified as RH and the shorter (18') beings specified as LH.

We need @CaptainGizmo to confirm measurements on his. I have looked up comnet and see that his awning package was ordered the same as mine. I am hoping that detail was just a missed memory on his part.

Just paced my awnings out and, just as you said...my rear awning DID in fact, grow! ?

Not sure if it was the altitude on the roof, or the anxiety caused by Girard that made me think the rear was shorter.

Oh well...excuse me while I go back to sniffing silicone. ?

 

[Crockdar]

Thanks Captain for this information. Ours are exactly as redbaron’s.

 

[CaptainGizmo]

THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 2020:

This is the update from my contact at Newmar...

"They have done a couple of trials and are tweaking what they have. We are hoping to have a solid solution soon."

 

[MapNerd]

Well that’s vague. ?

 

[CaptainGizmo]

As of this morning, Aug. 28...
Newmar is testing a solution that reinforces the existing brackets WITHOUT CUTTING INTO THE ROOF.

 

[MapNerd]

As of this morning, Aug. 28...
Newmar is testing a solution that reinforces the existing brackets WITHOUT CUTTING INTO THE ROOF.

Any details? I mean, if Girard says it’s okay then it’s probably fine by me, that’s the biggest concern but I am curious how this is being done if there is nothing under the roof for them to secure it against. Maybe some weird bracket that attaches to the rafters which they can locate with a stud finder?

 

[redbaron]

I am glad they are testing that, as that was my thought as well. It would be the idea we floated about putting a bracing down on top of the roof, fastening it to the roof joists, and then using that bracing to attach the awning bracket to. I would want 1/4" material, and not 1/8", but otherwise it should be enough. The extra span length is going to provide for reinforcement.

Fingers crossed that it works!

 

[CaptainGizmo]

John, like Ronnie says, that sounds like what Newmar is testing out.

Trust me, you're getting 100% of the info I'm being told from Newmar. When they give me more, you guys will be the first to know.

 

[flyboy013]

I believe most, if not all, of the discussion so far has been with respect to Dutch Star coaches. I have a 2018 Mountain Aire 4531 and checked out the middle mount this weekend. I checked from both below and from the roof. Both awnings have the middle bracket incorrect placed. They are about 2 feet aft. I have not noticed any warping. The mounts are not separating from the roof, but I did notice that the dicor has cracks in it along the edge of the mount and around the bolts. This cracking is on all the mounts and looks like the cracks that you normally see in window glazing.

I plan on contacting Newmar on Monday to see what they say. Given that the coach is nearly 3 years old, I'm curious what their position will be.

 

[redbaron]

@flyboy013 - This is clearly a structural issue, so don't worry about warranty issues. They have a 5 year structural warranty.

 

[CaptainGizmo]

I believe most, if not all, of the discussion so far has been with respect to Dutch Star coaches.
I have not noticed any warping.

I've heard of this mistake being made on several lines; Ventana, DS, and MA.

Regarding the warping, a couple notes: you'll have to "sight" down the length of the awning, WHEN EXTENDED, to notice this warping. Ya either gotta bend down from the roof, or get up on a ladder and look from underneath.

And yes, like @redbaron says, this IS a structural issue that Newmar will have to remedy. Keep in mind that this issue was initially pointed out by GIRARD, who stated that the awning's warranty was void due to improper installation. I think that, since most of our awnings are older than the 2-year warranty by GIRARD, it's gonna be a real sticky point is something were to ever fail on the awning past this warranty period.

I'm expecting a final solution from Newmar next week.

 

[Old-RV'er]

Curious, if the brackets are not separating from the roof, the cracking on the dicor is about normal for 3 years. It's recommended to replace the dicor at the 5 year point if lots of time has been spent in excessively warm climates, at least I did it on my last unit. I will do it on this one as well, just to be safe. I guess I don't understand the problem. I have the "other style" awning system.