I am the second owner of a 2022 Vilano 320GK. When I extended both patio awnings I noticed an 8" tear in the fabric. This causes a sag in the fabric and required two people to close the awning. One to hold the torn piece until it spools up while the other person operates retract on the control panel. While researching this problem on the internet I discovered an NHTSA safety recall that sounds like it might address this issue. I have contacted Tiffin to find out more about this recall. The build date on my Vilano appears to fall into the time period noted in the recall. I don’t want to just replace the fabric if there is a repair issue that needs to be addressed per the recall. Hope to hear from Tiffin soon. Has anyone else experienced a similar problem with their Beacon or Vilano and/or have knowledge of the NHTSA Recall #22V-555
Hi Billou - I had not heard about that recall regarding the awning fabric. I have noticed some sections in the awning fabric on our unit (2020 Beacon) starting to show tiny holes. I’ll probably just use some sort of tape to repair those if they start to look bad.
If your unit falls under the recall, I’d definitely go that route as the awning fabric and replacement can get expensive. I just replaced the three slide toppers due to hail damage and that was a little over $50.
Let us know what you hear back from Tiffin regarding the recall.
Stuart
Heard from Tiffin. The recall did not affect my 320GK. Per their response, it only affected 39 foot and over Vilano’s and Beacon’s built between May 18th and July 21st of 2022. Looks like I am going to be replacing the awnings at my cost. Estimates so far are around $1500 for both. If I stay with Lippert the LED’s can be reattached to the new awnings. If I go with aftermarket I will probably have LED lights installed on the sidewall just below the awning.
Well that’s a bit of bummer that you’ll have to foot the bill. On my 2020 Beacon Vanleigh used Carefree of Colorado as the awning supplier. Sounds like they may have switched suppliers for your 2022 model.
https://www.carefreeofcolorado.com/rv-products/patio-awnings/travelr/
My awning also has the LED lighting in the roller tube, which requires the wiring to be sewed into the seam of the shade fabric. When I first noticed the pin holes in the fabric, I did some research on the replacement cost. I think it was about $750 which included the LED wiring option in the fabric. that sounds about the same pricing if you’re replacing both awning shades.