Therefore, make sure that the ladder has a fairly sturdy construction. It should have no problem carrying the weight of an average-sized adult. Search for stepladders made of aluminum or fiberglass as these materials tend to outshine others in terms of durability.
You may also buy steel ladders, although these options tend to be more expensive than other models. Other tools : Aside from the awning kit and stepladder, you need to have the right handheld tools for the project. Some of the equipment that this task requires are:. Otherwise, it is also a good idea to have someone nearby to give you the items when needed.
Before you start, make sure that you have the items nearby and accounted for the job. Check if you need additional screws for the job. Otherwise, you may need to return to the hardware store to buy extra screws. After that, you can start with the installation process. Make sure to follow each step accordingly. Avoid getting worked up and hurrying each step. Otherwise, you might commit some costly mistakes. Mounting the brackets is the first step to install an RV slide-out awning properly.
The surface where the mount will go should have enough framing or thickness for the brackets and screws to adhere to. Do not skip this inspection first because aluminum or fiberglass skins must hold well onto the mounting hardware. Coat the surface with your preferred sealant. But pay attention to the mounting holes.
Consider sealing these areas after you put in the screws to avoid water leaking into them during rainfall. Also, you may need to use a stepladder for this step. Large campers, motorhomes, and fifth wheels tend to have a height of 10 feet or over.
However, if you have a smaller travel trailer, a stepladder might not be necessary. With the help of a flat-head screwdriver, open one end of the rail slightly. This usually happens whenever the slide-outs are retracted. To prevent this kind of problem, you need to study how to install RV slide-out awning. The great thing about slide-out awnings, aside from keeping dirt and debris out, is that they are also easy to install.
You just need a couple of basic tools and a couple of hours of your free time. The components that come with your RV slide-out awning will largely depend on the maker of your choosing, but the following are the basic instructions that you usually need to install most of the awnings that are available these days. Furthermore, they usually do not differ that much in terms of design.
Here are the basic components that you will need:. To install the slide-out awnings, you need to learn how to mount the brackets first. Here are some steps involved in mounting the brackets:. Step 1 — First, make sure that the surface you will be mounting the awnings on has enough framing or is thick enough to give the brackets and screws something to hold onto. Aluminum or fiberglass skins are insufficient unless you fabricate a mounting frame underneath them.
Step 3 — Coat the mounting surface with silicone sealant. Pay extra attention to the edges of the mounting holes.
This will prevent water from leaking into the RV from the drilled holes. Step 4 — Load Tek screws into your drill and use them to mount the brackets onto the exterior of the RV. It is also crucial to learn how to install the awning rail. The first step, in this case, is to measure the rail to find out its center point.
Mark this point using a marker. Spread silicone sealant all over the back of the awning rail to prevent water from seeping into them once mounted.
Using the center point mark, align the awning rail until it is centered between the brackets. Use the flat-head screws to connect the pin tab attachment to the centerline. Position it so that the slot points downward. Another important step in installing slide-out awnings is to mount the roller tube. Step 1 — Use a flat-head screwdriver to slightly open up one end of the awning rail.
This will promote ease in sliding the awnings into them. Before installing the awning, clean the end of the rail and spray the insides with silicone lubricant.
Step 3 — Unroll some of the awning fabric from the roller tube and slide it into the awning rail. Make sure to center the fabric. Step 5 — Insert the end-cap into the right side of the roller tube. You will also need a sealant for the screws, preventing water ingress through these fasteners. A drill and the correct bits are also necessary. You will also find a pencil necessary for this project.
Motorhomes have different slide out room dimensions. That is why it would be best to start the RV slide out awning installation by measuring the depth and width of a fully extended slide out room. With the slide out room extended, measure the width from the left flange to the right flange. Note the measurements because you will need them in ordering the correct size of slide toppers for RVs. Use the measurements in Step 1 to order an RV slide awning kit. Some manufacturers have ready-to-use RV slide out covers for certain motorhome brands and models.
All you need is to choose the design best suited for your RV. Other manufacturers offer customized slide toppers, allowing RV owners to install an awning more specific to their vehicles. Always inspect the product you ordered before starting with the RV slide topper installation. Check the number of holes in the awning kit and count the quantity of the accompanying hardware.
In some instances, the screws do not match the number of holes for securing the awning. In such cases, you might want to buy additional hardware before proceeding to the next step. Ask an assistant to hold the slide out awning rail on the RV and inspect its placement. Once satisfied, you can place a mark on the slideout with a pencil to serve as a guide during installation. Align the awning rail with the marks and centerline you created in Step 4.
You can add holes to the left or right of the center fastener, applying sealant before securing the screws. Be patient during this step because most awning rails have many holes for securing the structure. Read the instructions on how to install the mounting brackets for the travel trailer slide out awning. Position the brackets on the slide out room and mark the area for drilling pilot holes. Add rubber sealant to the holes before securing them with screws.
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