awning rail

ClubMemberF125896FF9

hi, we bought a senator wyoming last year and have found that the awning has to be threaded right from the bottom of the rail. all the other vans we have owned had a opening a few feet up the rail which made it fairly easy to thread the awning through .
i have to erect the awning on my own, because my wife is disabled and cant help me. would it be possible to make an opening in the rail, or would it damage it. what do you think. thanks in advance ray.