Roadfrog
Chilliwack, BC Canada
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Joined: 04/27/2001
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I just picked up our new (to us) Itasca 29N which came with everything but an awning. When I proceeded to an RV shop to have an estimate done, the guy says "I don't know if we can put one on, the rail is mounted right at the roofline." he indicated that the rail is normally installed about an inch down from the roof to allow the "C" mounting brackets to go around the rail. While I understand what he means, is it an issue? For those with factory awnings, how is it mounted? The awning I want is an A&E 8500. Did Winnebago install them too high or intend them for a different style of awning?
Cheers
Chris
1999 Winnebago Itasca Spirit 29N
1988 Campion Allante 195
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maddog348
Bakersfield,CA
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Joined: 04/08/2008
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2oo7 Itasca factory A&E -- have been outside staring at it for about 20 min trying to figure out problem as stated above. Of course awning is rolled up so can't see a lot. Awning rail (both sides) just about(2"below) where roof rolls over and becoms wall.(If you put heel of hand on rail fingers would fit over top curve - about like holding soda can) Nothing above or below rail. Upper arm attachments/brackts abut bottom edge of rail. Cannot picture the rail being 'on the curve'. Do you have another dealer in area for 2nd opinion???. Sorry cannot be of any help. GoodLuck
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Roadfrog
Chilliwack, BC Canada
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Sounds like yours is OK. Mine is right at the roof edge. Most I've seen are like yours - about an inch or more down from the very top edge. Thanks for the input!
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kaagee
Burlington Ontario
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Joined: 06/24/2005
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We have a 1999 Minnie Winnie 29N with a A&E 8500 awing.
The awing was installed when new at the selling dealership..
The front top bracket is about 1 inch below the roof line.
The rear one is about 1/2 inch below.
Both bottom brackets are at floor level.
If the guy you went to isn't too sure!!!
take it to another dealer.
Have fun with your 29N
Ken
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maddog348
Bakersfield,CA
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OOPS!! Just looked at picture of Spirit. Didn't think to see what Itasca you had. Sorry and Good Luck, K
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Im_an_EE
West Allis, Wisconsin
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Joined: 01/25/2008
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You don't say how old your rig is. How does the roof look? Is it reasonably new? Maybe somone replaced the roof and re-installed the awning rail too high. As you know, the rail holds down the rubber roof.
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kaagee
Burlington Ontario
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Im_an_EE wrote:You don't say how old your rig is. How does the roof look? Is it reasonably new? Maybe somone replaced the roof and re-installed the awning rail too high. As you know, the rail holds down the rubber roof.
The heading reads 1999 Itasca... which has a fiberglass roof. 
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tatest
Oklahoma
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Joined: 05/14/2005
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You don't have an awning rail, strictly speaking. What is at the top of the wall is the extruded channel that is the frame header of the side wall. This is welded into the wall, and interlocks with the side frame rails of the roof.
This extrusion is supposed to serve as awning header and gutter, in addition to being a structural member. Winnebago doesn't install a conventional awning rail in addition to this. The awning manufacturers may have a Winnebago-specific installation kit.
My factory installed A&E 8500 goes into this rail. Upper-arm attachments are screwed through the sidewall covering into this header. Lower attachments are similarly screwed through the sidewall covering into the aluminum tube footer, which is just above floor level.
If your RV shop doesn't know how awnings are installed on a Winnebago, you might consider asking at a Winnebago dealer, or another shop that has some experience with the brand and knows the motorhome structure.
Tom Test
Itasca Spirit 29B
2001 Ranger Edge
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Kamphiker
South Florida (this 'aint paridise anymore)
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tatest wrote:You don't have an awning rail, strictly speaking. What is at the top of the wall is the extruded channel that is the frame header of the side wall. This is welded into the wall, and interlocks with the side frame rails of the roof.
This extrusion is supposed to serve as awning header and gutter, in addition to being a structural member. Winnebago doesn't install a conventional awning rail in addition to this. The awning manufacturers may have a Winnebago-specific installation kit.
My factory installed A&E 8500 goes into this rail. Upper-arm attachments are screwed through the sidewall covering into this header. Lower attachments are similarly screwed through the sidewall covering into the aluminum tube footer, which is just above floor level.
If your RV shop doesn't know how awnings are installed on a Winnebago, you might consider asking at a Winnebago dealer, or another shop that has some experience with the brand and knows the motorhome structure.
Good description, I was wondering my self about this since I have been looking at Winnebago products for our next RV. It really makes sense now. Download this 2005 model year brochure 2005 Minnie series literature and scroll to the last page (page 12) down in the lower right hand corner is a picture of the awning channel (extruded aluminum side wall structural member) and how it is all tied into the roof rafters, sidewalls and roof sheeting.
I can also see why you would not want someoe who does not know how to install a awning on a winnebago trying to install one.
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Bubby's RV
CA
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Joined: 07/22/2003
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tatest is correct. On my 2004 Minnie, the interlocking aluminum extrusion provides an awning rail about 4" down from the "top", and that's where the awning is attached. My wall/roof joint is rounded instead of a sharp corner.
John, Winnebago Minnie 24V
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