| Picking up a new RV, even if it is a new-to-you RV, | | | | you. If you want to read some of the horror tales |
| is always exciting. A good dealer will have an | | | | about such events, search some of the RVer's |
| experienced RVer give you a complete walk-through, | | | | forums, such as the one on RV.net. |
| explaining the function and operation of each part, | | | | I personal friend of mine lost his awning on his first |
| accessory, or gadget as you go. If it's a towable RV, | | | | lengthy trip. To them, it was a near-disaster. I'll spare |
| the session will include a complete hook-up and | | | | you the details, but the total cost to repair his |
| detach demonstration. And possibly even a brief | | | | nearly-new Winnebago was about $12,000. This is |
| driving session, especially if you're new to the game. | | | | extreme, probably because holes were punched in |
| He or she will cover the nitty-gritty of how things in | | | | the roof. But the cost to simply replace an awning |
| an RV really work, as opposed to the quick glossing | | | | can easily be $1,200 and that does not include any |
| over provided by the salesperson. Let's face it, RVs | | | | repair to the coach itself, which is often required. |
| are just like a house which moves and some things | | | | He also should have told you that there are ways to |
| just plain need to have proper attention paid to them. | | | | prevent such an event. Some are "home remedies" |
| Water, sewer, electricity, and cable TV are just | | | | and are totally ineffective. Some are DIY projects |
| some of the things which warranty special attention. | | | | and are effective. Others are commercial products |
| The items just mentioned are pretty much the "set | | | | which are well designed, do not detract from your |
| and forget" variety, in that we all just sort of accept | | | | RV, and, most importantly, are effective. |
| them, like the sunshine and hope they never need | | | | To prevent lose of your A&E awning or your |
| more than the routine attention. | | | | Carefree of Colorado manual awning, something must |
| But how about your patio awning? It is something | | | | be done to prevent the roller tube from turning while |
| that you can enjoy every day when it is sunny or | | | | you are travelling down the road. Period. |
| when it is rainy. During the walk-through, you | | | | If you were told of the problem and you were told |
| probably extended it and retracted it a time or two. | | | | that tying the arms together would prevent the |
| And the demonstrator probably told you that you | | | | awning from unfurling, don't believe it! Tying the arms |
| could buy pretty little strings of lights to slide into the | | | | together does nothing to prevent the problem. |
| slot on the roller tube. Surely colorful little peppers or | | | | Things you should have been told: |
| replicas of beer cans with lights inside would make | | | | - Your awning can blow off while travelling down the |
| your rig more personal and attractive, right? | | | | road. |
| Did he or she also tell you that your awning could | | | | - Devices can be installed which will prevent it from |
| blow off as you were travelling down the road? | | | | happening, and |
| He should have, because it does happen. Not to | | | | - Simply tying the arms together will not prevent it. |
| everyone. Not every day. But it does happen! It | | | | Copyright 2009 Keith A. |
| happened to me, and it might, just might, happen to | | | | |