Aluminum Camper Forum

 

The kitchen window is the only one that had one support arm. The rest have 2. Thus the window could pivot and fall off the small window ledge built in to the outside of the trailer. It happened to us also. Tern Overland has a 300 x 500 window that fits perfectly in there and is easy to replace. I actually like it better than the OEM windows. It is however pricey at over $500 delivered.

Quote from: RV Squirrel on September 17, 2022, 10:02:52 PMThe supports for the awning in our Camplite 14DBS travel trailer block the window on the front right side.  Unless we have the awning extended, we can't open the window! 

I was recently on a short trip when the wind picked up just before nightfall... I closed the awning, which meant that I had to close the window as well. This really cut down on the cross-breeze, because the tiny kitchen window is the only thing left on that side, and it doesn't open all of the way.

I'm wondering if I can "shorten" the fabric roller tube, and move the offending awning support so that it sits just behind the window, and just in front of the wheel well.  At first I was concerned that I'd have to mount the support where a vertical aluminum beam goes up the side of the trailer, but after looking at it, I noticed that the support is mounted with big (#14?) hex-head sheet metal screws at the top and bottom of the trailer.  So instead of drilling new mounting holes into vertical posts, I'd be drilling them into the horizontal beams that run along the top and bottom of the trailer.

Ideally, I'd like to move the front support 18 to 22.5 inches to the back.  The current fabric is 9' wide.  I think that I can buy new fabric that is 7.2' wide.  I think that the roller spring assemblies are only 42" long, so I'd have enough space for both roller spring assemblies even if I removed 22" from the roller tube.  I know that I'd have to move the light fixture.  Here is what I was thinking:
- remove fabric roller tube from trailer (carefully so as to not get injured from uncoiling spring mechanism)
- remove roller spring assembly from one side
- remove around 22" of the roller tube
- move awning support 22" to the back of the trailer (which would put it around one-half inch from the front of the wheel well)
- install narrower awning fabric on roller tube, and reinstall roller spring assembly
- replace fabric roller tube on trailer

Has anyone ever done this and lived to talk about it?  Or are there newer/better options available nowadays?  I just looked for Dometic awning parts, and it seemed like there weren't many available online.

Yes. I did exactly as you laid out. It worked out great. I carefully cut 24 inches off of mine. I then matched the exact hole pattern in the end (drilling ,filing as necessary) and purchased a 2 foot shorter awning and reinstalled. Awning arm now cleared window and stayed just in front of wheel well. I also may have moved the rear awning mount forward a few inches but I can't remember. 
I did enclose the dimensions and pictures of the cut tube.
Unfortunately I sold the trailer (14DB) and can't get more pictures.

   
The spring assembly was not scary at all

Camper has sold

            2014 Livin Lite Camplite 14DB

We are reluctantly selling this great camper.
All alumuminum construction. There is no wood to rot anywhere in this camper.
2800 lbs dry weight. Real queen bed 64 x 80. Aluminum one piece roof, aluminum plank floorng, aluminum exterior side walls with automotive paint.
Aluminum side wall framing with block foam solid insulation, interior cabinetry all aluminum framed with composite cabinetry.
Convection microwave, Air conditioning, TV, stereo, porcelain toilet in separate dry bath. Large shower, large 3 way fridge with freezer.
Acrylic double paned awning windows with up/down privacy shades and integral bug screens.
Dual axle provides much better stability and safety. Brand new 8 foot awning fabric, modified 10 foot awning down to 8 foot to allow bedroom window to open without awning deployed.
Furnace, 2 burner propane stove, sink w hot/cold water, 6 gallon water heater, outdoor shower.
Installed new Maxxair Deluxe fan with 10 speeds, thermostat and reversing for either exhaust or intake.
Jackknife sofa, Lots of storage, aircraft style cabinet latches, LED lighting, dual propane tanks.
2 small dings on the exterior neither of which penetrated the skin other wise in great condition

Asking $14900.
One catch. Unit will not be available until after Aug. 1st.

Bob

Not sure why my images got rotated, but you can see where my awning leg ended up/ Used to be right in the center of the window.

Well I just finished my awning mod. I actually modified the existing 10 foot awning and made it an 8 foot awning.
I disassembled the existing one and carefully cut exactly 2 feet off of the aluminum roller tube.  I then transferred the rivet and hole pattern on the end of my cut down roller. Reinstalled the torsion spring assemblies on both ends of the roller. Project cost me just $138 for the fabric.
I moved the rear mounts for the awning 6 inches forward towards the entry door and moved the front awning mounting brackets 18 inches backwards towards the rear of the trailer. I could not go from the existing 10 foot awning to a 12 foot awning because the underneath storage door would not have opened on my fairly short ,14 foot trailer.

I looked at the r pods and went in some before buying my used 2014 14db. No comparison in material quality The rpods I went in were not 8 ft wide and in fact were only 6ft 6 wide and I could not get comfortable across the bed being 6' 2". Are you sure your not measuring across the wheels which I think make them 8 ft wide total. I have close to the full 7 ft width inside of the livinlite.

Thanks DIversteve.

This is what I was just looking into. We just bought a used 2014 14db and though we love it so far I don't like the rooftop AC. It is too loud, hangs down too low(I am 6ft 2) and sticks up too far on the roof.
I a researching alternatives and yours is definitely on my list. Just replaced the center single sped vent fan with a MAxxair 6200k 10 speed ,reversible and so much quieter

Quote from: GrampaKilt on June 15, 2018, 12:50:26 PM
Finnski, I have the same trailer and that cabinet fell off. See my post 'Why the cabinet fell' under the link below. I also referenced a promotional LL youtube video that showcased a 16DB frame. It gives a good idea where there is framing (and where there is not!). Perhaps the best thing I did for cabinet security was to install a wood backing along the roof wall corner. PM me if you need further help. GK

https://aluminumcamperforum.com/index.php?topic=861.0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZtOIbisE4M

Thank you very much that frame video may help. Haven't got back to the trailer lately to fix this

HI all,

Just bought a used 2014 14db.
I have one side of the cabinet above the jacknife sofa where the cabinet is pulling away slightly from the wall.  I believe there is aluminum framing somewhere near there but can't figure out a great way to locate it. Anybody run into this and have any suggestions?
Thanks