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Post by william davey on Nov 8, 2013 14:41:38 GMT -5
Wanted to share my (bad) experience with the Carefree electric awning on my 2013 KZ Stoneridge Sportster. While pulling the awning in for the night I heard snap, crackle, pop. When I looked out the door, 2 of the arms on the front and the gas strut were all bent to s**t. The strut apparently froze in the fully extended position so when the motor started rolling up the awning the weak links began to bend. Carefree will not warranty this because the trailer is now 13.5 months old. Parts alone are nearly $900 from Carefree - we're on the road, so shopping around isn't really an option. I did find that CW sells the complete arms (both ends) and motor for about what the parts alone cost from Carefree, but none in stock within driving distance and shipping is at least a week. The awning manual has no instructions for lubrication or maintenance, but I have sprayed all the moving parts with silicone a few times in the last year. I plan to fight with Carefree when we reach our destination, but for now I WISH I HAD A PLAIN OLD MANUAL/SIMPLE AWNING. As another recommendation, if you think you want the LED strip lights that fit in the channel of the awning roller - pass them up! When new, they were so bright as to be annoying. Now a year later about 75% of the LED's don't work and they're too dim to be usable.
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wi1dbi11
Weekender RV’er
2010 Durango 2013 Chevy 2500
Posts: 64 
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Post by wi1dbi11 on Nov 8, 2013 19:39:54 GMT -5
That's a real bummer, knowing the care and pride you take with your rig. Did the strut freeze up due to cold weather or did it just fail? I was measuring your linkage compared to our Durango at the Rally. There are different lenghts to the arms as ours goes almost straight were your had a decent slope to it. Haven't had time to research why that is. Just a heads up when you order the replacement parts.
Frankly, I really wish I had the AE manual awning like our old 5'r
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bluegrass
Seasonal RV’er
2019 1500Durango 259rdd
Posts: 177
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Post by bluegrass on Nov 8, 2013 19:53:15 GMT -5
Bummer!!! Hope you get it some satisfaction after your battle with CareFree. Glad we have the manual awning.
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Post by shortlance on Nov 8, 2013 20:25:34 GMT -5
We are on our second 5er with a carefree awning and have had no problems yet so I can't say anything bad. Your dealer should go to bat for you with carefree--I know our's would do everything in his power to help us in a situation like yours. I hope everything works out for you.
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Post by william davey on Nov 10, 2013 19:42:55 GMT -5
UPDATE- The parts arrived and it seems that Carefree no longer makes the fixed slope electric awning. So they sent me the complete arms/motor assemblies for both ends to convert the awning to adjustable pitch. Took the RV repair guy and I about 4 hours to replace the whole works. Everything works except the crappy LED's. I'll keep a very close watch and listen for any unusual noise or jerky motions from now on and lubricate everything at least monthly. Again my recommendation - if you have a choice between a manual or electric awning, choose the manual.
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bluegrass
Seasonal RV’er
2019 1500Durango 259rdd
Posts: 177
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Post by bluegrass on Nov 11, 2013 21:43:06 GMT -5
Glad you are back in business. Hope you have a great winter...see you at one or both of the next rallies
Doug and Lamae
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Post by william davey on Nov 23, 2013 11:06:14 GMT -5
LATEST UPDATE- Camping World Ft. Myers Beach would not help me file a claim with Carefree so I emailed Carefree directly. Carefree's response was to tell me what I already knew - that my awning was 52 days beyond the 1 year warranty. On my now 14 month old trailer the Carefree Power awning has failed, the Carefree LED's in the awning roller are 75% shot, and 2 out of 3 slide toppers had to be replaced because the leading edge of the fabric was tearing. I will never buy another Carefree product!!!
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wi1dbi11
Weekender RV’er
2010 Durango 2013 Chevy 2500
Posts: 64
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Post by wi1dbi11 on Nov 27, 2013 19:14:28 GMT -5
Sorry to hear Carefree wouldn't do anying for you..These days with all the extended warranty they sell( Which by the way is BS) they can get away with that crap.. Says a lot when a company won't stand behind their product.
Wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving
Bill
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Post by Helper on Feb 12, 2014 12:50:58 GMT -5
Carefree may only give a 1 year warranty but KZ gives a 2 year warranty... you should contact your dealer.
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Post by lynnmor on Feb 12, 2014 16:27:00 GMT -5
Carefree may only give a 1 year warranty but KZ gives a 2 year warranty... you should contact your dealer. Read the warranty and you will see that KZ is resposible for just the "white box" That said, it is worth a try because KZ installed it and the installation may have caused the problem. |
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Stephen
Weekender RV’er
Retired and enjoying it
Posts: 70
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Post by Stephen on Mar 2, 2014 7:15:23 GMT -5
Contact KZ directly they have a 2 year warranty for sprees
Are you a Good Sam member if so write them they might be able to help you too
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Post by whichway on Mar 11, 2014 11:24:26 GMT -5
I agree I try.callin KZ factory direct let them know your problem usually KZ stand behind our warranty issues for 2 year; keep me posted because I'm thinking about buying a new KZ Stonebridge like to know if they still stand behind their warranty like they did seven years ago when I purchased my new vision.
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Post by JorgeB on Jan 5, 2018 20:40:56 GMT -5
Hi. Does any One know where can I purchase a replacement awning vinyl I ripped some at the par king lot and need to replace or patch
It’s for KZ VISIONw V19RB thank you
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Post by Chuck on Jan 6, 2018 11:07:17 GMT -5
JorgeB Call Kz Customer Service 866-472-5460, they may be able to steer you in the right direction, make sure you have your VIN # ready along with make an model of your trailer ... Also I hate to say it but Camping World may have what you want, as well any RV dealer or repair shop may be able to help you ... Since the awning was ripped in a parking lot most likely it would not be cover under your warranty, but it may be worth a try, that is of course if your TT is still covered under warranty, you never know  Good Luck an safe travels, think about the Kz national rally this summer in August  Chuck |
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Post by capemayal on Jan 6, 2018 11:29:16 GMT -5
Word of caution about Camping World - at least mine in Swedesboro/Bridgeport, NJ. If they order arms, there is normally one shorter than the other, and they're ordered separately. In my case they ordered 2 long instead of 1 of each. Then when it came in, it was the wrong color! The store is about 70 miles from my home, with no other "reputable" dealer in between. So, it took 3 trips to get there. The 1st trip on me. I demanded fuel refund, not a store credit, from CW. After about a month and half they gave in and received a pre-paid Visa debit card. Each time I went its because they called and said the parts were in. They were, but the wrong ones. Apparently, when parts come in no one opens the boxes to make sure its the right part, which is totally ridiculous. So, again, tread with caution, and ensure they physically check the box contents before you make the trip there. Honestly, I would say to do that before you go anywhere for service.
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Post by Chuck on Jan 6, 2018 11:57:27 GMT -5
I have been told more than once that Camping World is the training ground for new RV tech's wanting to get experience repairing RV's  If you look over on the Good Sam Open Roads Forum ( forums.goodsamclub.com/ ) you can see some but not all the comments on different Camping Worlds, some good an other pretty bad  Safe Travels Chuck |
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Post by capemayal on Jan 6, 2018 12:56:36 GMT -5
Camping world and Good Sam = brother and sister? LOL. Seems they're the same company.
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Post by lynnmor on Jan 6, 2018 13:11:20 GMT -5
Just Google "rv awning replacement fabric" there are tons of places to get the fabric. PPL is a good one.
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Post by rvdude on Jan 6, 2018 19:02:54 GMT -5
PPL (in Houston) is a good place for purchasing parts, or buying or selling an rv. I bought my 5th wheel there, they sold my old KZ for me when I bought the new one, and I have bought parts there.
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Post by capemayal on Jan 6, 2018 22:50:48 GMT -5
2x PPL
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