mr. ed
Madison, SD (but usually elsewhere)
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Joined: 02/06/2002
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Dr Quick wrote:The fabric is not wrapping up tight, which causes the control latch to be in the wrong position.
If it takes less force to open awning and it does not want to close as quickly, my guess it that the rear spring might be broken, since that appears to be where the fabric looks like it is the loosest. Put a vice grip on the shaft at the rear support and see if you can rotate the shaft. If it moves in both directions easily the spring might be the problem. If the rear checks out, try the front shaft.
Dr. Quick, I don't know what you mean by "rear support". As far as I know there is only one spring at one end of the awning tube (the end with the latch). Are you trying to say there are springs at both ends? Thanks for your help...
Mr. Ed (fulltiming since 1987)
2007 Hitchhiker II LS Model 29.5 LKTG
2007 Dodge Ram 3500/6.7 CTD/QC/4X4/SB/SRW/6-speed man/Big Horn edition
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ExRocketScientist
Laurel, MD
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Joined: 11/11/2010
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mr. ed wrote:Dr Quick wrote:The fabric is not wrapping up tight, which causes the control latch to be in the wrong position.
If it takes less force to open awning and it does not want to close as quickly, my guess it that the rear spring might be broken, since that appears to be where the fabric looks like it is the loosest. Put a vice grip on the shaft at the rear support and see if you can rotate the shaft. If it moves in both directions easily the spring might be the problem. If the rear checks out, try the front shaft.
Dr. Quick, I don't know what you mean by "rear support". As far as I know there is only one spring at one end of the awning tube (the end with the latch). Are you trying to say there are springs at both ends? Thanks for your help...
Yes, there are springs at both ends. The easy way to tighten one is to detach the support arm from the bottom of the camper. Then detach the arm that extends from the top of the camper to the roller tube. Once detached, you lift the bottom of the support arm toward the roof. Continue until you have made one full revolution. That means on the arm toward the front of the camper, you will be turning the arm counter clockwise, on the arm at the rear of the camper you are turning the arm clockwise (unless of course it is an Australian trailer where the awning is on the other side of the camper). When you do this, you do it with the awning fully extended, and you only do one arm at a time -- reconnecting the arms to the camper before proceeding to the other end. When working on an end, you will need to support the roller tube on a ladder -- or use a 2x4 with a notch in the end and get someone to hold the roller tube on the end of the 2x4.
I recommend you only do one turn at a time.
This is the safe way of doing it. Messing around with vice grips, while faster, has resulted in numerous injuries.
ERS
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mr. ed
Madison, SD (but usually elsewhere)
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Joined: 02/06/2002
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ExRocketScientist wrote:mr. ed wrote:Dr Quick wrote:The fabric is not wrapping up tight, which causes the control latch to be in the wrong position.
If it takes less force to open awning and it does not want to close as quickly, my guess it that the rear spring might be broken, since that appears to be where the fabric looks like it is the loosest. Put a vice grip on the shaft at the rear support and see if you can rotate the shaft. If it moves in both directions easily the spring might be the problem. If the rear checks out, try the front shaft.
Dr. Quick, I don't know what you mean by "rear support". As far as I know there is only one spring at one end of the awning tube (the end with the latch). Are you trying to say there are springs at both ends? Thanks for your help...
Yes, there are springs at both ends. The easy way to tighten one is to detach the support arm from the bottom of the camper. Then detach the arm that extends from the top of the camper to the roller tube. Once detached, you lift the bottom of the support arm toward the roof. Continue until you have made one full revolution. That means on the arm toward the front of the camper, you will be turning the arm counter clockwise, on the arm at the rear of the camper you are turning the arm clockwise (unless of course it is an Australian trailer where the awning is on the other side of the camper). When you do this, you do it with the awning fully extended, and you only do one arm at a time -- reconnecting the arms to the camper before proceeding to the other end. When working on an end, you will need to support the roller tube on a ladder -- or use a 2x4 with a notch in the end and get someone to hold the roller tube on the end of the 2x4.
I recommend you only do one turn at a time.
This is the safe way of doing it. Messing around with vice grips, while faster, has resulted in numerous injuries.
Thank you, Rocket Scientist. I spoke to my neighbor (who installed his own awning) and he may try to assist me, although he's more skilled in installation than repair. Your procedure sounds good. I'll run it past him and see if he wants to get involved....
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