Hi All!! I'm so glad I found you!! We need to change our awning on our motorhome this year(It's only 10ft long)-It's ordered and hopefully won't take too long to get here-My question is, are they hard to install yourself-or is this a job better left to pro's and the $140.00 of labour charges that they want to do it. The guy at the rv shop said its spring loaded and should be done there. I'm not sure whether to believe him or not. If there is anyone with some experience in this area that could help me,it sure would be great:)

I lost my awning last year and had to replace the fabric. It unrolled from the top with the arms both secured in high wind in Kansas City. They replaced the fabric. When I went camping and tried to use the awning last fall (couldn't use it in the west last summer because of the wind) it would not stay down because the spring was shot. I vote for the rv techs doing it because the the tension on the spring has to be adjust so it rerolls properly!! Just my opinion though.
Groovin Grannie Fernie and Running Bear (Winnebago Warrior)

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Groovin Grannie Fernie and Running Bear (Winnebago Warrior)

Hi, Skylar, Although I've never changed an awning myself, I've read quite a few threads on various RV forums about it. Apparently, the spring tension is such that it can take off fingers if one doesn't know how to handle it. I would vote to spend the $140 to have the RV techs do it.

Over the years, we have had to have two awnings replaced and believe me there is a lot more to it than you might think. I vote for the pros.
One of our awnings tore because of age - the other one the wind took when we attempted to put it up after the wind had already come up. Bad move! When we are in windy areas we use the tie-down straps that hook around each end of the awning roller and are attached to anchors in the ground. These need to be pulled up TIGHTLY but so far, knock on wood, we've gone thru some extremely high winds with no trouble. We also have a couple of deflappers that we attach to each side of the awning to keep it from flapping in the wind.

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Just when the caterpillar thought life was over, she became a butterfly.

I just popped on and read quickly this posting.. regarding Awnings... In the 25+ years of having Awnings I've lost 2.. one in Nevada .. where a sudden sand storm came up and wind unreal ..it was a perfect day before that..and out of no where it flew in...and so did my awning.. although we tried to get it up...nothing sounds more intimidating that to watch it come apart in your hands.... The other one I lost in Elmira, New York. A Thunderstorm came through and gusts of 50mph winds along with it. To make matters worse all 75 rigs that day lost theirs too. Those that haven't had the experience, you are very fortunate. I've also had it unravel while driving down Highway 5 in California.. felt like I was a Sailboat. So I looked into all ways of strapping and tied down systems. Each time my awning was replaced, I had it done by the Techs. I watched them put it on, and no way would I attempt to tackle it. Those who are gifted to be handy, go for it...those not, have it done it's worth the time and effort and fingers to have done. Fernie had posted awhile back about the lock she had put on hers.. here's the web address http://www.coilnwrap.com/awning/awninglock.htm
I went one more step, I had the Electric Awning put on with Wind Guard. It will automatically go up if the wind starts to ruffle it. Also it automatically tilts when it rains, and for me now I no longer can put the Awning up and down myself (due to health ) what I do miss is being able to have it down with the straps and the screen room..but hey I had to make that choice.
Skylar, it's again what is best for you, if you are able to install this go for it !
Welcome again,as I posted to you on the recipe board as well..
Well, folks I just dropped in to see what was what..as I finished up sessions in Heart Chat Group..
God Bless All and Good Night
Barbzeee
PS will see you all in the morning post :) Life is full of surprises, just go with the flow !