Hello from Central Florida

[Cejay]

Just got home from first trip with our NTU 1993 Sunline Solaris, so much nicer than our old popup. Only bug we still have to work out is to find a replacement strut for our awning. So far no luck finding one. Any suggestions where to look?

 

[Sunline Fan]

Congrats on your Sunline! Can you describe what type of strut you're talking about? Full size patio awnings don't have a typical gas strut like used on a car hood. The front rock guard uses an aluminum channel thing too.

Or are you by chance referring to the coil spring inside the awning tube that helps it roll back up?

 

[Cejay]

It is the large strut with the coil that helps roll back and supports awning. Will have to ask husband in the morning for exact description.

 

[Cejay]

Okay, the part is made by A & E Systems by Domestic, part #3108392.121. Thanks for any help you can provide in finding this part.

 

[JohnGB]

If your awning like this?

http://www.dometic.com/badf027a-1055-499f-bad5-adc4f90a7fa2.fodoc

If so that looks like the newer power awnings with the auto dump feature. Someone upgraded your awning from original. And yes, that would be a gas strut.

PPL has a part site that is pretty good. Go into the part catalog, then select awnings, A & E then find you model. You may want to call then and confirm the part number,

RV Awning Repair Parts Online Catalog - PPL Motor Homes

A web search might turn up that part as other RV sales places. I cannot get a direct hit on it.

Congrats on your new camper and hope this helps

John

 

[Sunline Fan]

Wow, if it's a Two Step, that's a very nice awning! Unfortunately it won't work on most Sunlines because the awnings mount in front of a window on either the front or back, and it needs a solid surface. A Two Step would definitely have a gas strut.

Google doesn't have much help for that part. You've got two options:

1) Go to your local RV dealer and ask if they can order that part right from Dometic/A&E.

2) See if you can find printing/stamping on the strut tube itself that shows a weight rating. It may be like 75#, or I suppose it could be more like 125#. Go to your local auto parts store (preferably with the old strut) and see if you can find one that both matches the weight capacity and the overall open/closed dimensions. The weight is definitely most important, but the open and closed lengths also matter so that it fits in there.

These gas struts are essentially the same as what's used on the rear hatch door of an SUV, and should have a similar weight capacity, so an auto parts store should have it unless Dometic used an odd size.

 

[Cejay]

So far Google no help except provided the part number. Our local Auton Zone is out of stock of what may be a strut that will work. My John still looking.

 

[Cejay]

strut fixed by using a strut from autozone. The one for our camper is no longer being made.

Just got back from camping in the cold at Tomoka State Park while we attended classes in Daytona for our FEMA disaster work. We are liking it more every time out. So much better than popup on our old bodies.

Next trip out is the weekend of the 22nd joining our old popup buddies at Highland Hammock for a weekend. Should be nice an warm then, no heater needed.

 

[Split-SUN]

Welcome

GOOD DEAL C.J. : Thats a good hint to try Auto Zone for cross over parts.
My sone use to live around Daytoona & believe we went to that Tomoka
one time.. We did the Daytona Bike week , around this Mid March before.
Prior Melbourne residents, now north Chattanooga, Tn.
AGAIN WELCOME.. May meet ya next Jan & Feb. :grin:

 

[Cejay]

Split, we are in Palm Bay. Small world. Bike week is this week and we are having an unusually cold spell. Normally in 80's except yesterday and today has been mostly 60's for a week.