"SUPER ROD" for tall awnings

[Greywolf]

I made myself one of these for a whole whopping $2.99 at the old shop for reaching awnings on ALFA and other real tall fifth wheel campers. Bluntly, what I did was go get a six foot length of quarter inch diameter steel rod at a hardware store, bend a loop at one end, and bend a one inch long hook at the other. The result is an awning rod that looks like it came from a factory somewhere, that will allow the average five foot six individual to reach an awning that is thirteen or so feet off the ground without a stepladder - and it still fits in a front compartment! I've suggested that we sell these at the dealer I work at in the parts store. Since a normal length one is $7.99, I figured $14.99 and management is very interested in the idea... Now I'm telling YOU before these appear that you can make one yourself for a lot less than that. -And you saw it first right here at FTE!!! ~Wolfie

[Greywolf]

Err...

I looked again, and a short one (stock) is $11.99 at the dealers.

It don't look to me like it's worth all of that - it's a steel rod with a hook, Y'know?

Look that way to you?

[alchymist]

Originally Posted by Greywolf

I made myself one of these for a whole whopping $2.99 at the old shop for reaching awnings on ALFA and other real tall fifth wheel campers.

Bluntly, what I did was go get a six foot length of quarter inch diameter steel rod at a hardware store, bend a loop at one end, and bend a one inch long hook at the other. The result is an awning rod that looks like it came from a factory somewhere, that will allow the average five foot six individual to reach an awning that is thirteen or so feet off the ground without a stepladder - and it still fits in a front compartment!

I've suggested that we sell these at the dealer I work at in the parts store. Since a normal length one is $7.99, I figured $14.99 and management is very interested in the idea...

Now I'm telling YOU before these appear that you can make one yourself for a lot less than that.

-And you saw it first right here at FTE!!!


~Wolfie

I can reach the awning - but I still need the step ladder. Our Gulfstream has the awning so high up that I need the ladder to set the top braces ......how high can you reach?

[Greywolf]

Six feet, plus six feet, plus the length of an arm is what?

About fifteen?

[nubeee1]

Is your awning all the way out.? It looks like the same setup as I have. But I know what you mean about being to tall, I alway need something to stand on to tighten up the side supports.!!

Btw, Wolfie, I will be making me a longer one..Thanks.!

[alchymist]

Yeah, it's all the way out, picture was taken while I was looking for somethig to stand on to put up the side rails ........

[rvpuller]

Originally Posted by alchymist

Yeah, it's all the way out, picture was taken while I was looking for somethig to stand on to put up the side rails ........

Being vertically challenged I carry a 2 ft step ladder just for that purpose . I also have to stretch as far as I can to release the awning with the rod.

Denny

[Greywolf]

*NOTE: The simplest way to bend a loop in the rod is to get a six inch length of 1/2 or 3/4 inch pipe, drill a hole as close to the end of it as you can, and hammer the other end flat.

Clamp the flattened end in a vice, then insert one end of the rod into the hole you drilled and bend it around the pipe. The hole needs to be close to the end so you can slip the rod and loop off of the pipe. The loop can be closed tighter using the vice jaws.

(work smarter, not harder)

PS: Beautiful rig, Nubee1. I hope you didn't waste money and space on a washer/dryer stack...

[Greywolf]

More thoughts on the construction of it -

I found a source of twenty foot cold rolled 1/4 inch round rod, and was told it would not take a bend without snapping at the bend.

POPPYCOCK! I bent it, hammered it, looped it, no trouble at all.

A common vice and a 5 pound sledge was all I needed, tomorrow I will have six brand new ones. The twenty foot length was $8.50, and cut (with a bolt cutter) into 3 six foot eight rods (about three bucks each). They are well within the capacity of a belly storage compartment in the front of a fifth wheel.

Stag Parkway has extended length rods, but I doubt they are this long. They ARE however painted or powder coated. So MY NEXT IDEA is to look at Stainless Steel!!!

I'll check on availability and price of stainless rod tomorrow sometime.

My reasoning is that paint or any other coating must scratch eventually and look worse than bare steel. What is wanted is a thing that can be got out, used, and chucked back in the RV without a thought, or even left outside in the rain - and always look good.

Stainless steel - if it is priced within reason - would be absolutely PRIMO!

[alchymist]

If price were no object - go for titanium - much lighter, and no corrosion problems. I just bought 2- 33" lengths of 1/4" for some clock work - $24.00 and change. Course this was surplus......

[Greywolf]

Yikes...

I think that would have to be a class "A" diesel pusher option.