Awning support support

[MarkB]

Re the awning on my '89 32 footer, where the support meets the shell was getting pretty damaged so here is what I did. Using .063 T6061, I used as a plate to go between the arms and shell, there are structural pieces at the junctures that can be tied into, which I'd suggest if possible. The rivets are self sealing so they won't leak, 3/16" and the reach was something like 1/8-.375". The plates need to be bent slightly, I used bags of shot with a bridge, that came pretty close. The lower supports are only held on with two lag bolts into the edge of plywood, I really don't think that is a good idea. I used a piece across the bottom to act as a shelf for the aluminum bridge to sit on. That bridge is cast and really can't take a lot of compression from the bolts that hold it on. Oh, yeah, lots of clear silicone rtv. I also used rivnuts in the bottom aluminum plates to hold the 1/4" bolts, and I think I used rivnuts for all the threaded fasteners, screws just don't work in sheet aluminum.

[Razorback]

Nice job! That ain't going anywhere except with the trailer!

[KYAvion]

Nice job. Do you have a link to the rivets you used?

[MarkB]

Can’t link at the moment, from mcmastercarr used these two part numbers for most of the riveting.

Sealing blind rivets

97524a149
97524a033

Either would work, one is 5/32 the other 3/16 and probably overkill.