Mighty Dodge Ram
Senior Member
On a Mojave Rd. trip in early June, my Batwing had snapped two of the Delrin hinges after an unexpected strong gust (40+ mph) "origamied" the 270* awning. Last week I was able to repair the awning with the two spare hinges Rhino Rack includes with the awning. Is it thoughtful on the part of the mfg. or an acknowledgment that there is an inherent design problem? I'll leave that to you.
https://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachments/img_0346-jpg.476354/
A shot of where and how the Delrin hinges snapped. It was the two bottom awning spreader poles so this shot angle is reversed of how the awning is actually mounted.
https://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachments/img_0347-jpg.476355/
After removing the set screw, you are left with the portion of the hinge that extends into the spreader pole. Don't bother trying to pull it out...just easily push it into the pole; no harm no foul.
https://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachments/img_0349-jpg.476356/
Insert the new hinge into the pole. The "fork/split" that you can see on the stem of the hinge (at the pole) only allows it to be inserted one way...easy peasy.
Fully seated and you can just see the shiny set screw fully set.
Reinsert the long hinge pin (since the bottom Delrin hinge pieces were broken I didn't have to fully remove the hinge pin), tighten the locking nut snugly, and you're on your way. This is a shot of the awning mounted on the truck after the repair. I actually fixed it off the truck on a set of sawhorses in the driveway.
All in all, the repair was easy and straightforward (a field repair is not out of the question) and I'll be ordering a set of replacement Delrin hinge pieces from Rhino Rack USA just in case. But...it does beg the question, "is this a good solution for such a large awning?" I had the opportunity to look at the 270* awning from AluCab at last weekend's Offroad Expo. The aluminum hinge piece is integral to the spreader pole, the pieces ride on Delrin "spacers/bearings", and the hinge pin slides down in the same manner as on my awning. I believe that the EaziAwn has the same design. At first glance, it seems that this is a stronger design. But what would happen if a really strong gust caught you by surprise and the awning was not guyed down? Where would the bend/break point be in the hinge area? Would it be field repairable if the tubing in the hinge was bent? Is it better to have the hinge pieces break (as did the Delrin) to prevent catastrophic carnage? I'll leave that question to the engineers around here. I do know this: I paid less than half the price for the Rhino Rack unit than I would have for either the AluCab or EaziAwn, which leaves me plenty of money left to buy replacement Delrin pieces. But if I have to replace them often, then the hassle factor comes into play.
Your thoughts?
Edit: just wanted to be clear that this is not a critical review of the RR Batwing. I really like it and look forward to more use.
https://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachments/img_0346-jpg.476354/ A shot of where and how the Delrin hinges snapped. It was the two bottom awning spreader poles so this shot angle is reversed of how the awning is actually mounted.
https://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachments/img_0347-jpg.476355/ After removing the set screw, you are left with the portion of the hinge that extends into the spreader pole. Don't bother trying to pull it out...just easily push it into the pole; no harm no foul.
https://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachments/img_0349-jpg.476356/ Insert the new hinge into the pole. The "fork/split" that you can see on the stem of the hinge (at the pole) only allows it to be inserted one way...easy peasy.
Fully seated and you can just see the shiny set screw fully set.
Reinsert the long hinge pin (since the bottom Delrin hinge pieces were broken I didn't have to fully remove the hinge pin), tighten the locking nut snugly, and you're on your way. This is a shot of the awning mounted on the truck after the repair. I actually fixed it off the truck on a set of sawhorses in the driveway.
All in all, the repair was easy and straightforward (a field repair is not out of the question) and I'll be ordering a set of replacement Delrin hinge pieces from Rhino Rack USA just in case. But...it does beg the question, "is this a good solution for such a large awning?" I had the opportunity to look at the 270* awning from AluCab at last weekend's Offroad Expo. The aluminum hinge piece is integral to the spreader pole, the pieces ride on Delrin "spacers/bearings", and the hinge pin slides down in the same manner as on my awning. I believe that the EaziAwn has the same design. At first glance, it seems that this is a stronger design. But what would happen if a really strong gust caught you by surprise and the awning was not guyed down? Where would the bend/break point be in the hinge area? Would it be field repairable if the tubing in the hinge was bent? Is it better to have the hinge pieces break (as did the Delrin) to prevent catastrophic carnage? I'll leave that question to the engineers around here. I do know this: I paid less than half the price for the Rhino Rack unit than I would have for either the AluCab or EaziAwn, which leaves me plenty of money left to buy replacement Delrin pieces. But if I have to replace them often, then the hassle factor comes into play.
Your thoughts?
Edit: just wanted to be clear that this is not a critical review of the RR Batwing. I really like it and look forward to more use.
