Quote:
Originally Posted by robandlora
We wanted to install an awning but just about everyone is telling us it cannot be done due to the fiberglass being so thin and drilling holes in the trailer will creating spider cracks in the trailer.
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1/4 inch thick
fiberglass is quite strong! The 14" x 14" square I cut in the roof for the re-located Fantastic-fan supports 150 lbs. without flexing when laid across a 1 foot space between 2 sawhorses.
The arm attachment points carry the majority of the load. My
Fiber Stream had four 4" x 4" aluminum plates 1/8" thick riveted to the fiberglass that the arms attached to. The awning rail was only riveted to the body. The large rivets spread in a "star" pattern on the inside above the window.
I installed my awning in 2004 soon after buying the trailer. The rail and aluminum plates were already on the trailer. The only repair I have had to do in 12 years is have the rail re-attached after a wind storm. The rivets failed; the fiberglass was not affected.