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Old 09-29-2011, 01:28 PM   #1
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Smile Electric Awning Mod Kit

My TT came with an electric awning (Carefree) that goes straight out horizontally. It is very high up there when deployed, and it is "non-pitchable" and cannot be tilted. While it is easy to deploy and retract, this awning is quite inconvenient to use in a number of ways.

One thing that I found particularly frustrating is the fact that it is a lot more difficult to clean or wash in camparison to the manual one on my previous 2007 Jayco. Since I have a medical problem with my neck, it becomes very challenging for me to properly clean/wash this high and flat awning after my trips. Because I am unable to raise my head and bend my neck at an awkward angle continously for an extended period of time, I often just have to forgo the cleaning. As a result, my awning now looks dirty and ugly with many grey and yellow spots after only a short time of use. I guess this awning is designed for people who have the access to a fire truck.

I understand that there's a retrofit arm kit one can get to make the awning "pitchable" and "tiltable". Has anyone bought that and done the conversion? How much does it cost and is it easy to do? Thanks!
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Old 09-29-2011, 01:41 PM   #2
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I can see where that would be a real problem, I like to drop my awning some if the sun is in my face, or for cleaning, etc. Maybe no help but here is an extensive discussion on electric awnings.

http://www.jaycoowners.com/showthrea...lectric+awning
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Old 09-29-2011, 02:02 PM   #3
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I have the pitchable awning. I don't think it will help with cleaning. It will dump rain that collects but I don't see any way to lower it as with the old manual one?
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Old 09-29-2011, 09:38 PM   #4
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I have the pitchable awning. I don't think it will help with cleaning. It will dump rain that collects but I don't see any way to lower it as with the old manual one?

X 2. It will adjust down but not enough to make washing it easier.
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Old 09-30-2011, 05:00 AM   #5
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Take some ropes and put around the main roller at each end. Then throw the ropes over the TT and tie to the other side stabilizers. This will keep the roller against the TT while you push the button and unroll the awning. You can then unroll the awning and with the top side of the fabric outside the roller you can wash 1/2 of the fabric against the TT. Slowly roll the fabric up and you can progressively get all of the top of the fabric.

Do the same thing again with the fabric between the roller and the TT and you can get the underside of the awning and never have to be under the awning and getting wet or dripped on.

You can also get great pressure on the fabric for scrubbing or getting off stains.

I do this in storage where i only have 4 feet of space between the TT and my garage.
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Old 09-30-2011, 01:12 PM   #6
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Wow, I never thought of doing that.
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Old 09-30-2011, 01:49 PM   #7
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Take some ropes and put around the main roller at each end. Then throw the ropes over the TT and tie to the other side stabilizers. This will keep the roller against the TT while you push the button and unroll the awning. You can then unroll the awning and with the top side of the fabric outside the roller you can wash 1/2 of the fabric against the TT. Slowly roll the fabric up and you can progressively get all of the top of the fabric.

Do the same thing again with the fabric between the roller and the TT and you can get the underside of the awning and never have to be under the awning and getting wet or dripped on.

You can also get great pressure on the fabric for scrubbing or getting
I do this in storage where i only have 4 feet of space between the TT and my garage.
Very interesting idea, this is the first time that I've heard about this technique, thanks! Just a quick question, is there any concern about damaging something such as the motor or gear when the movement of the arms is restricted?
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Old 09-30-2011, 02:38 PM   #8
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The arms only are restricted. The only force keeping the arms extended are the gas filled shocks. The motor in my awning is in the head at the end of the roller. You can test yours by pushing on the roller and trying to move it into the retracted position and you can then see what really happens.

Don't put the ropes tight on the roller tube. It needs to be able to move.

I first noticed this when a gust of wind moved my roller up.

Be careful getting into and out of the trailer when rolling the awning up. This is actually a better way that the old 'carport' type of awnings since you needed to be under them to do the underside. Now it is just a ladder and bucket.

Remember to close the door before using the hose on the awning.

Used this to patch a pinhole and am able to inspect the awning better this way.
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Old 09-30-2011, 06:02 PM   #9
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Our new 2011 Jayfeather 24T comes with an electric awning that can be adjusted so it can be angled down for the sun and cleaning as well. "Carefree" awnings first made one that was horizontal only. My son has a 2009 model that is hard to clean as well and comes straight out like that. He inquired about refitting his original with the new slotted arms but the cost was prohibitive.

Hope this helps you a bit.


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Old 09-30-2011, 06:21 PM   #10
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dalenoel, Thanks for the tip. I'll try it next week when we bring the camper home to prepare for our next trip.
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Old 09-30-2011, 06:31 PM   #11
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The arms only are restricted. The only force keeping the arms extended are the gas filled shocks. The motor in my awning is in the head at the end of the roller. You can test yours by pushing on the roller and trying to move it into the retracted position and you can then see what really happens.
Excellent, thanks much!
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Old 09-30-2011, 06:32 PM   #12
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dalenoel, Thanks for the tip. I'll try it next week when we bring the camper home to prepare for our next trip.
Please report back on how this works for you. Thanks!
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Old 10-03-2011, 07:57 PM   #13
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dalenoel, Thanks for the tip. I'll try it next week when we bring the camper home to prepare for our next trip.
Did it work for you?
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Old 10-03-2011, 08:21 PM   #14
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Did it work for you?
I'll be bringing it home Wednesday. I'll be sure to let you know.
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Old 10-04-2011, 04:58 PM   #15
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I'll be bringing it home Wednesday. I'll be sure to let you know.
Great, we look forward to hearing from you.
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Old 10-05-2011, 02:38 PM   #16
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Great, we look forward to hearing from you.
Okay, as promised, I tried tying the awning arms. I did not use the rope method, but rather used a couple short bungee cords. There are a couple small holes about halfway down the channel that is bolted to the camper. I used those small holes to hook the bungee cords and wrapped one time around and hooked to the other hole. Worked great, that let the arms come out about 1 foot at the top.

Now the bad news. I could only get 1/2 of each side. I found that just a little bit of wind is a real pain also. I did scrub the 1/2 of each side from a ladder and didn't find it that much easier than just getting wet and scrubbing with the awning out.

Will I do it again? I duhno.
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Old 10-06-2011, 05:32 AM   #17
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With the awning flat against the trailer, not letting it be a foot out, keeps you dry and only working on a vertical piece of awning.

I agree you can initially only get 1/2 of the side. Then go in the trailer and roll the awning up 1/2 way and you can get an additional 1/4 of the awning. Repeat by rolling it up 1/2 of what is left and you will get an additional 1/8 and one more repeat and you have done all but 1/16 of the awning.

A repeat of this for the other side gets both sides.

Sorry this did not work for you but I do love it as I can get all of it and only get dripped on when going into the trailer to roll the awning up at each section.

I'll do a video the next time I clean mine. Might be a couple of weeks.
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