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Rhino Rack Batwing Repair


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#1 Mighty Dodge Ram

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Posted 05 October 2018 - 09:19 PM

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.


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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.

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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.

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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.

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Fully seated and you can just see the shiny set screw fully set.

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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.

Edited by Mighty Dodge Ram, 06 October 2018 - 03:45 PM.

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Richard
1996 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4, lightly lifted, ARB bumper/Warn winch, BFG AT/KO2, Snugtop shell. SOLD! But not forgotten!
2002 Chevy 2500HD XC LB 6.0L 4X4, Leer Hi-Rise shell, completely stock...for now!

#2 jimjxsn

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Posted 18 October 2018 - 08:56 PM

Richard, Nice write-up on the repair.

 

I copied this from my "New Pantheris born" thread in "ATC Camper Discussions"...

 

 

 

Wouldn't you know it, the first trip with the Rhino Rack Foxwing/Batwing awning and it breaks...

 

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Wow, much more carnage than my experience I posted about in camping section. How big was the gust of wind? This leads me to believe that rather than an intentionally engineered design it may be a serious flaw. My pole didn’t bend like yours so the fix was easy. Good luck with the repairs.

We got in a really quick storm, camping with family and had way more items to hang on to than hands available.

 

I repaired it right away, it really wasn't too bad.  The hardest thing was rounding up the parts needed.

 

I think the main design flaw is that the tarp can pull off the top of the upright poles pretty easily.  The pole hinge and horizontal pole that broke was the only one where the tarp grommet pulled off of the vertical pole.

 

It would help to upgrade to upright poles that can lock onto the tarp grommet and that have stake loops on the bottom so that they stay in place better.


Edited by jimjxsn, 28 January 2022 - 04:49 PM.

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~Jim
2000 Tundra AC- 2000 FWC Ranger

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#3 Mighty Dodge Ram

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Posted 19 October 2018 - 04:09 PM

Good to hear you were able to repair it. I picked up extra hinges from etrailer.com, from whom I bought the awning. I know RR has their US facility somewhere in CO so perhaps other parts are available directly through them.

The breakage has slightly altered the original mission for which I bought the awning...quick, short-term deployment for a snack, lunch, etc. In the future I’ll be keenly observant, hopefully not overly worried, about possible wind conditions. I really don’t want to have to guy the awning for quick stops but...whatever it takes.
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Richard
1996 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4, lightly lifted, ARB bumper/Warn winch, BFG AT/KO2, Snugtop shell. SOLD! But not forgotten!
2002 Chevy 2500HD XC LB 6.0L 4X4, Leer Hi-Rise shell, completely stock...for now!




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