Retraction guide for power awning

[LP On The Move]

One of the retraction guides to the power awning fell off. Luckily, I saw it at the campground and retrieved it. When I checked, the two guides are held on by silicon rather than screwed in...good idea as if they were screwed in and they hit something there would be fibreglass damage.

I am looking for ideas on how to remove the old stuff and what the best choice is for reattaching the guide.

Second question, where can I buy extra guides?
https://flic.kr/p/2hgjKej
https://flic.kr/p/2hgjKdc
https://flic.kr/p/2hgh7Zv

Thanks,
Pierre

[cpaharley2008]

Funny you mentioned that, when adjusting my awning I notice some looseness in the guide rails. I believe these are proprietary to Escape and made there in Chilliwack. Try Dustin or Dave in parts....I'm not sure to wait until mine falls off or remove and reglue now....?

[cpaharley2008]

I have an open package of J-B Weld and it mentions marine use/fiberglass....but that may make it permanent and possible gel coat damage? Maybe something that gives without damage to the surface? What do others think?

[sclifrickson]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

I have an open package of J-B Weld and it mentions marine use/fiberglass....but that may make it permanent and possible gel coat damage? Maybe something that gives without damage to the surface? What do others think?

I’d opt for a permanent adhesive - epoxy, JB Weld, 3M 5200, etc.

I seem to remember Reace posting a video some time back showing how they glue those little guides on with just a dab of silicone. Explains why they might fail after a few years.

Video was to show do-it-yourself owners how to replace the short guides they were using initially on the electric awnings with longer guides, as a few people had problems with the short guides. Reace just gave a hard twist with his hand to remove the short guides.

As I said, if I do it, I’ll use something permanent to glue one back on. Fire and forget.

[tdf-texas]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

I have an open package of J-B Weld and it mentions marine use/fiberglass....but that may make it permanent and possible gel coat damage? Maybe something that gives without damage to the surface? What do others think?

I don't know if JB Weld would be permanent on fiberglass but I can assure you that 3M 5200 is.

I can't think of a reason that the tab would need to be removed but there was one, I wouldn't use 3M 5200 - you could lift the trailer with a tab attached with it.

[LP On The Move]

Thanks I will try that.

[cpaharley2008]

I talked with Dave at Escape and the original adhesive is something like this which I used to reattach mine https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[LP On The Move]

My concern is little scrapes on trees when driving in areas that are very tight and if the guide is solidly attached, then there would be fiberglass damage if it get hung up.
I was unable to find the video for the replacement so if anyone has...please direct me. At the moment I think RTV silicon sealant.
I used soft wood to clean up the old stuff and all that is left is a smudge. Will GooGone clean that up without damaging the fiberglass finish?

[sclifrickson]

Originally Posted by LP On The Move

My concern is little scrapes on trees when driving in areas that are very tight and if the guide is solidly attached, then there would be fiberglass damage if it get hung up.
I was unable to find the video for the replacement so if anyone has...please direct me. At the moment I think RTV silicon sealant.
I used soft wood to clean up the old stuff and all that is left is a smudge. Will GooGone clean that up without damaging the fiberglass finish?

Goo Gone leaves an oily residue itself. Try acetone to prep for a good bond. It’ll take off everything, including wax, but won’t hurt your gel coat.

[cpaharley2008]

BTW my 2016 awning never hit these guides and I think the constant hitting by the awning is causing them to become loose. I questioned Dave at Escape about this issue and why my 2016 went staring out whereas the 2019 has a slope, this the guide hitting issue. He said that Escape now slopes the awning 5 degrees for the water draining issue and sent me the .pdf file which was uploaded here on adjusting the slope. Seems very complicated procedure so I'm leaving it alone. If it continues I'll adjust mine back to -0- slope. I never had an issue with the rain with my 2016 and do not for see one now.

[cpaharley2008]

LP on the move,
Check the first post here http://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f7...day-16324.html