Manual Awning Question

lagman · 07-17-2013, 03:55 PM

I have the manual awning and I think I must be doing something wrong when rolling it up. Standing on the right side, I move the clutch from the "down" to the "up" position.. At this point it wants to roll up on me but I need to slide the fabric pull handle (for lack of a better term) to the middle before letting that happen (at least that's what I remember being told during the walk-through).. There is too much force put on the pull handle when I do this.. Last time the handle broke and the DW had to sew it back onto the plastic piece that keeps it in the groove. There must be a more intelligent way to get the pull handle to the middle without needing to support the spring loaded awning that is trying to roll up. Hopefully that makes sense. Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Dan

Grumpygp · 07-17-2013, 04:02 PM

Pull it to the middle before you switch the lever.Move the lever, Once it releases hold on to the awning drum with your hand to keep it from rolling up until you can grab the strap.

lx22f/c · 07-17-2013, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grumpygp

Pull it to the middle before you switch the lever.Move the lever, Once it releases hold on to the awning drum with your hand to keep it from rolling up until you can grab the strap.

X2

**norty1** · 07-17-2013, 05:57 PM

X3. Walk down to the middle holding the roller from turning until you can get your hands on the strap. I used to have the strap extension either in the loop or close enough that I could reach it.

Sounds like your roller tension may be a bit tight.

ktbarrentine · 07-17-2013, 06:34 PM

Ok...so what is the reason for having to have the pull strap in the midlde? I have had my pull strap near the end of the awning (about three feet in) so I can easily grab it and use it to retract the awning after actuating the retract lever )solo operation). Have not had any issues using this way....ever. If someone gives me a good logical reason to do otherwise (besides tribal knowledge), then I'll consider it.

The other recourse is to have someone else (DW?) hold the strap while you actuate the retract lever.

Doug · 07-17-2013, 07:50 PM

Agree with all the responses.
Yep, It doesn't have to be in the center. Just as far as you can reach will be fine.

Doug

bigbird · 07-17-2013, 07:53 PM

When we did our walk through I asked the fellow if he didn't mind if I did a video. I could tell he wasn't comfortable about it so I didn't bother. The awning has been tricky for us to and we've only put it out a couple of times. I believe the strap in the middle helps to roll up evenly. They have a video for just about everything maybe there's one on the awning also.

lagman · 07-17-2013, 09:51 PM

Thanks for all the helpful responses!

steveb285rks · 07-18-2013, 05:39 AM

I always hold the tube and slide the strap to the middle. The awning is 20' long and the far end does not release easily if the strap is offset. In the middle there are no issues. If it is a relatively short awning then offset should work.

Jayco 228 · 07-18-2013, 07:52 PM

We have an electric awning now but our old trailer had a Manual awning and I use to slide the strap over to the right side of the tube so I could release the awning and hold it back. I would then slide it over to the middle as it rolled up. Always seemed to work for me?

**Snake Plissken** · 07-18-2013, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grumpygp

Pull it to the middle before you switch the lever.Move the lever, Once it releases hold on to the awning drum with your hand to keep it from rolling up until you can grab the strap.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lx22f/c

X2

Quote:

Originally Posted by norty1

X3. Walk down to the middle holding the roller from turning until you can get your hands on the strap. I used to have the strap extension either in the loop or close enough that I could reach it.

Sounds like your roller tension may be a bit tight.

x4

newrvguy68 · 07-22-2013, 02:42 PM

Not sure why the need to hold the strap in the middle of the awning either, as I always slide mine to the same end as the release, then I have one hand on the strap and the other I use to release the awning and can slowly guide it up into position, including the use of the long handle that hooks into the strap loop for the final 2-3 feet of retraction. I have yet to have a problem with folding in the awning by doing it this way.

DocBrown · 07-23-2013, 07:40 AM

I'm not convinced that you can do the strap on one end for every awning. Our old Kiwi had a Carefree of Colorado awning that worked flawlessly for ten years. We never closed it with the strap in the middle. Always toward the end close to the lever.

Our new awning is a Dometic. I was doing it the same way and started to have trouble from day 1 with the poles not lining up while closing. I'd have to force them to snap in and couldn't get them out easy. Now I do the strap from the middle and no troubles. I've read a few posts on RV.net from people who have had similar experiences.

Also, it can be pretty hard to hold that strap with your hand. Try holding it down with your foot instead.

ExLoonBoarder · 08-20-2013, 04:40 PM

How to open a Carefree awning:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHCmIy8s14w

How to close a Carefree awning:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02vDXAU-8LI

Not mine; I found these when I was having some trouble remembering the processes...

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