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Post by rvdude on Apr 22, 2018 21:01:08 GMT -5
The Durango Golds and other models that use the Solera Smart Arm awning system could have an issue with moisture running down the awning arm and getting into the awning wiring harness causing the awning not to work. Lippert does have a technical bulletin on this problem. Just wanted to let everybody know that there is a possibility you will have awning problems and what to expect. See the link below. Lippert Technical Bulletin on Solera Smart Arm Awnings |
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Post by Edd505 on Apr 22, 2018 21:15:39 GMT -5
Thanks for the heads up. Down loaded the bulletin and will check when I get home.
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Post by crazycpa on Apr 29, 2018 5:15:41 GMT -5
Thanks! I am taking delivery to a new Gold 385FLF this week and it has the smart awning. I will take care of that as soon as I bring it home.
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Post by Chuck on Apr 29, 2018 11:30:13 GMT -5
I won't wait till you get the trailer home, I would look at it at the dealer (open an close the awning) an if needed repair have them do it at the dealer right then an there ... As well since it's only a 0.5 hour repair if the awning is working have them doing it an thus it's on them if the awning stops working since they did the repair not you ... I would also take the bulletin in with you when you pick up the trailer an show them such  One never knows when you get it home an the awning is not working you may not get it back into the dealer for a few months, thus opening an making sure it works at the dealer your ahead of the game .... Also if the awning is not working having them fix such before excepting such forces them to fix it then not two or three months down the road ... As well if not working since you already have it home getting back in to fix such you may not have an awning for a few months, that would be a bummer  Safe Travels, welcome to the form an the Kz family Chuck |
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Post by rvdude on Apr 29, 2018 21:07:15 GMT -5
I agree with Chuck... if you are spending a lot of money with a dealer, and there is a known issue such as this, make them take care of it before you take delivery. You don't want to be somewhere getting ready to leave and can't put your awning in. The ONLY way I knew about this problem is that one of the awnings on the one I'm buying was out about 5 inches from the trailer. I was wondering why it was out and when I started playing with things while looking at the trailer, it would not go in or out. Then the salesman did some checking (as if he probably didn't already know) about the problem. He then told me they have several with parts on order. Good luck and congratulations on your trailer.
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Post by rvdude on Jun 19, 2018 16:21:46 GMT -5
RECALL ON THESE AWNINGS: I got a letter from KZ today stating that there is a recall on the Solera Smart Arm awnings because they can open while in motion. If you have any trailer with these awnings and you may have moved or changed addresses, be sure you talk to your dealer or KZ about getting yours modified.
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Post by kathyed on Jun 19, 2018 17:10:57 GMT -5
We got our recall notice today as well.
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Post by rvdude on Jun 19, 2018 17:43:39 GMT -5
I just hope this is NOT one of those times where the parts will be here in 10 or 12 months. I hope the parts are readily available for the fix. I can just see my awning in the mirror somewhere between Texas and Indiana this summer ripping my trailer apart and covering the car behind me so they can't see.
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Post by Chuck on Jun 20, 2018 13:51:56 GMT -5
I ordered a back ladder for my 384 (not under warranty repair)an it came in 2 weeks. lets hope that Kz or LCI since it's their awning ships a number of the parts to fix such to dealers across the country ... Also anyone heard more on the recall of the couch's an if it's cross the board on all Golds or just some models .... Safe travels an happy Glamping Chuck |
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Post by laknox on Jun 20, 2018 13:54:18 GMT -5
I just hope this is NOT one of those times where the parts will be here in 10 or 12 months. I hope the parts are readily available for the fix. I can just see my awning in the mirror somewhere between Texas and Indiana this summer ripping my trailer apart and covering the car behind me so they can't see. When the engine in my '11 Sonata let go, the total repair time was 5 days. It took 3 MONTHS to get a short block from Korea on the recall. Just f'n =stupid=. Hyundai builds decent cars, but the =company= leaves a lot to be desired. Lyle |
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Post by rtreptow7 on Aug 1, 2018 15:19:59 GMT -5
I have Durango fifth wheel with 2 solera smart arm controllers. Both have failed due to water intrusion. I received the recall and had the new updated module installed. Dealer only had a handful of them as stock is limited. I don't see how the new module is going to prevent the problem from happening again? Water runs down the wires into the connector and the pins on the controller and connector corrode and eventually break off. One of my smart arms had 2 pins that were corroded off and the other had 4 pins corroded completely off. One of the wiring harnesses itself has lots of corrosion in it too. I'm not confident in this fix. I see the water will continue to get into this connection and cause corrosion leading to problems. I certainly will be keeping a very close eye on these controllers and removing them occasionally to inspect for any water intrusion. I don't think my dealer has confidence in this "fix" presented by Lippert either. They did put a bunch of dialectic grease in there to help too.
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Post by rvdude on Aug 1, 2018 17:20:36 GMT -5
My dealer said Lippert had sent them 170 of the recall parts. I got 2 of them, that's all that matters.
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Post by rtreptow7 on Aug 6, 2018 14:38:02 GMT -5
So we had a couple good rainfalls since the new modules were installed. I took them both off the awning and they both had water in the module by the connection pins. I'm drying them out good and trying to get the harness dried out. Also adding liquid tape to where the wires go into the wiring harness to prevent water from getting in the module again....hopefully.
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Post by rtreptow7 on Aug 28, 2018 13:01:12 GMT -5
Update. Back at dealer already. Both awning smart arms malfunctioning already. Used lots of dielectric grease and even tried sealing the top of the connector with liquid tape to prevent water from getting in. Lights are blinking on the controller arm. LED speaker lights came on by themselves. Can't turn awning lights on from switches inside.
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Post by rvdude on Aug 29, 2018 21:01:17 GMT -5
DITTO... had awning problems since before purchase. My dealer replaced the modules under the recall in July before vacation. While at the KZ service center after the rally, they put a new wiring harness on the front one and a new module as it had the blinking green light as well as plenty of the dielectric grease. I left KZ with both working from the inside control panel as well as from the outside. I got home and both of the awnings had the blinking green lights and could not be operated from the inside control panel or the phone. I did have a bunch of rain on the way home. The design of these awnings is NOT GOOD AT ALL and Lippert needs to come up with a better solution to keep them working.
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Post by laknox on Aug 30, 2018 12:23:27 GMT -5
Sounds to me like KZ needs to bite the bullet and see if another, non-LCI, company can come up with a solution.
Lyle
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Post by mdcamper on Oct 6, 2018 14:01:51 GMT -5
For anyone that is interested...
We just ordered a new Durango Half-Ton and I was told that this feature is no longer being installed on new coaches because of all of the problems with the outside controller.
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Post by rvdude on Oct 6, 2018 22:13:02 GMT -5
The problems with these awnings (as I am having anyway) is with the inside control panel. While they do not work from the inside control panel, they will work from the outside at the module at the bottom of the awning arm. I'm glad they quit using the "not so smart arm" awnings because they were a bad design from the beginning.
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Post by mdcamper on Oct 7, 2018 12:38:42 GMT -5
Interesting that the problem was with the inside control panel. We were told that the new one will still be a power awning just no speaker controls, wind sensing or ability to open and close from outside etc.
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Post by rvdude on Oct 7, 2018 17:25:59 GMT -5
That would probably be better. The more electronic junk they put on these things, the more likely there will be problems.
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