Safety Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only. Awning systems involve tensioned springs, electrical components, and structural mounting hardware. Always consult a certified RV technician for safety-critical repairs or any work involving spring assemblies, motor wiring, or wall-mount hardware.
Key Takeaways
- Keystone RVs — including the Cougar, Montana, Alpine, Bullet, Sprinter, and Passport — use Lippert-branded awning hardware (formerly marketed under Carefree and Dometic nameplates), meaning Lippert part numbers apply directly to Keystone replacement parts.
- Correct part identification requires the awning model plate (typically located on the roller tube end cap or arm casting) and, for fabric replacement, a direct measurement of the roller tube length — not the awning opening width.
- Manual and power awning systems share some hardware (arms, end caps, mounting brackets) but differ significantly in spring assemblies, rafter arms, and idler/gear mechanisms — confirm the drive type before ordering.
- Spring assemblies store significant tension and are considered safety-critical components; RollingRambles’ certified technicians recommend professional service for any spring replacement or adjustment.
- Mounting hardware, including rivet specifications and torque values for arm bolts, follows Lippert Component Installation (LCI) service guidelines — deviating from published specs may void the awning warranty and compromise structural integrity.
What Brand of Awning Parts Do Keystone RVs Actually Use?
According to RollingRambles’ certified technicians, one of the most common points of confusion for Keystone owners is the apparent mismatch between the coach brand and the awning brand stamped on the hardware. Keystone RV Company does not manufacture its own awning systems. Instead, virtually all Keystone travel trailers and fifth wheels — including the Cougar, Montana, Alpine, Bullet, Sprinter, and Passport lines — are factory-fitted with awning assemblies supplied by Lippert Components, Inc. (LCI).
Lippert acquired the Carefree of Colorado awning line and has also produced components under the Solera and Dometic-compatible product families. Owners will find the Lippert or Solera name stamped on the roller tube casting, motor housing, or arm extrusion — not the Keystone name. This matters for parts sourcing: searching “Keystone awning parts” at a dealer parts counter will ultimately resolve to a Lippert or Solera part number. RVIA-certified service professionals recommend confirming the exact LCI part number from the awning’s model plate before placing any order.
How Are Keystone RV Awning Arms and Roller Tube Assemblies Identified?
Awning Arms (Upper and Lower)
Keystone RV awning arms are telescoping two-piece assemblies consisting of an upper (rafter) arm and a lower (pitch) arm. The upper arm connects to the roller tube end casting; the lower arm mounts to the coach sidewall bracket. RollingRambles’ RV maintenance team notes that arm length is critical — a 31.5-inch pitch arm is not interchangeable with a 30-inch arm even if the mounting holes appear similar, as the difference affects fabric tension and water run-off angle.
Arm assemblies are stamped with a casting number on the lower extrusion. For Solera Regal 69-inch assemblies, a direct-fit 31.5-inch pitch arm replacement is available as an aftermarket component. For owners replacing a full arm kit on a manual Solera system, the Solera 3000 Short Universal RV Awning Arm Kit (LCI part reference 2023052355) is a verified-compatible replacement for many Keystone manual awning configurations.
Owners sourcing replacement arms should note whether their awning is a manual or power configuration. Power awning arms do not include a manual ratchet pawl mechanism and are not interchangeable with manual arm sets.
Roller Tube Assembly
The roller tube is the horizontal aluminum extrusion around which the awning fabric winds. On Keystone RVs, the roller tube assembly includes the tube itself, the idler end (non-drive end), and the drive end casting. According to RollingRambles’ certified technicians, the roller tube length determines the correct fabric replacement length and must be measured directly — from inside shoulder to inside shoulder of the end castings — rather than estimated from the coach opening width.
What Keystone RV Awning Fabric Parts Are Available and How Are They Measured?
Fabric Rolls (by Length and Color)
Awning fabric is a consumable component and one of the most frequently replaced keystone awning parts. RVIA-certified service professionals recommend measuring the roller tube length (not the opening width) to determine the correct fabric size. A standard rule: the fabric roll length equals the roller tube length, which is typically 6 to 8 inches shorter than the awning opening measurement quoted in coach specifications.
For a 15-foot awning opening on models such as the Cougar or Bullet, the roller tube measurement typically corresponds to a fabric roll in the 14-foot 2-inch to 14-foot 8-inch range. Fabric weight is also a specification — RollingRambles’ RV maintenance team recommends a minimum of 15 oz/sq yd acrylic or vinyl-laminated fabric for UV resistance in four-season use environments; 19.5 oz/sq yd fabric offers greater durability in high-wind or high-UV climates.
Replacement fabrics are available in a range of colorways including gray fade and solid black, among others. Owners should confirm the fabric’s hem configuration (bolt rope vs. flat hem) matches their roller tube slot type before ordering.
Spring Assemblies
The spring assembly on a manual Keystone awning is housed inside the roller tube at the drive end and provides the retraction tension. This is a safety-critical component. According to RollingRambles’ certified technicians, improperly tensioned or incorrectly installed spring assemblies can cause sudden uncontrolled roller rotation, which poses a serious injury risk. Professional service is strongly recommended for any spring replacement or re-tensioning procedure. Technicians should reference the applicable Lippert/Solera service bulletin for spring wind count specifications, which vary by awning length.
End Caps and Travel Locks
End caps seal the roller tube ends and house the arm pivot points. On Keystone RVs, end caps are model-specific — Solera and Carefree end caps are not cross-compatible even when they appear dimensionally similar. Travel locks, also called transit locks or arm clips, secure the awning arms in the closed position during travel. RollingRambles’ RV maintenance team notes that missing or broken travel locks are a leading cause of arm damage at highway speeds and should be replaced immediately if found to be cracked or deformed.
What Are the Key Differences Between Manual and Power Keystone Awning Parts?
Rafter Arms and Power Awning Motor/Gear Mechanisms
Power awning configurations found on higher-trim Keystone models (Montana High Country, Cougar Carbon, Alpine) replace the manual rafter arm and spring assembly with an electric motor unit mounted at the drive end of the roller tube, along with a dedicated idler casting at the opposite end. The motor unit on Lippert/Solera power awnings is a 12V DC gear-drive assembly; RollingRambles’ RV maintenance team notes that motor replacement requires disconnecting the coach 12V supply and verifying polarity on the two-wire connector before reinstallation.
Power awning pitch arms differ from manual pitch arms in that they do not include a ratchet or manual-extension pawl. Owners of power awnings requiring a pitch arm replacement for a Dometic 9100-compatible system should confirm arm length — 30-inch adjustable pitch arms are the most common specification for mid-length awnings on Keystone fifth wheels in this category.
Mounting Hardware and Rivets
Wall-mount brackets on Keystone RVs are fastened through the aluminum sidewall extrusion using a combination of machine screws and aluminum or stainless steel rivets. LCI service guidelines specify 3/16-inch diameter aluminum pop rivets for standard arm bracket applications, with machine screw torque values typically in the 25–35 in-lb range for bracket-to-wall fasteners. RollingRambles’ certified technicians caution that over-torquing wall-mount fasteners can deform the sidewall extrusion and compromise the weather seal. A calibrated inch-pound torque screwdriver should be used when reinstalling mounting brackets.
Recommended Keystone RV Awning Parts and Tools
Based on technician recommendations and verified compatibility, the following parts meet RollingRambles’ standards for quality and fitment on common Keystone RV awning systems:
- 31.5″ RV Awning Pitch Arm — Solera Regal 69″ Compatible ($99.99): A direct-fit lower pitch arm for Solera Regal assemblies commonly found on Cougar and Bullet models. Confirm casting number on existing arm before ordering. View on Amazon
- Solera 3000 Short Universal RV Awning Arm Kit, Black — 2023052355 ($799.95): A complete manual arm kit for Solera 3000 short-roller configurations. Suitable for full arm assembly replacement on qualifying Keystone manual awning setups. View on Amazon
- AUTOVIC Adjustable Pitch Arm 30″ — Dometic 9100 Power Awning Compatible ($125.99): An adjustable pitch arm for power awning configurations using Dometic 9100-compatible hardware, found on select Montana and Alpine power awning setups. View on Amazon
- 15 FT RV Awning Fabric Replacement — Gray Fade, 19.5 oz, 14’2″ Fabric ($80.99): A 19.5 oz/sq yd replacement fabric for 15-foot awning openings. Gray fade colorway. Measure roller tube length before ordering to confirm fit. View on Amazon
- Kohree RV Awning Fabric Replacement — Black, 15’2″ Fabric ($77.99): A solid black replacement fabric for 15-foot-class awning openings with a 15’2″ roll. Verify bolt rope hem compatibility with your roller tube slot prior to installation. View on Amazon
About This Article
This Keystone RV awning parts guide was researched and written by RollingRambles’ RV maintenance team, which includes RVIA-certified service professionals with hands-on experience servicing Lippert, Solera, Carefree, and Dometic awning systems on Keystone fifth wheels and travel trailers. Part compatibility notes are based on LCI published documentation and verified technician field experience. This guide is reviewed periodically for accuracy as manufacturer part numbers and product availability change. For model-specific repair procedures, owners should consult the Lippert Components service portal or an authorized Keystone warranty service center.
Affiliate Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, RollingRambles earns from qualifying purchases. Product recommendations are editorially independent and reflect technician-verified compatibility guidance.
