Power awning rain dump?

CA-Texas · 09-29-2017, 05:14 PM

We have a Carefree power awning on our 2018 Greyhawk 29MV but aren't sure if it has the auto dump feature for rain. When it's lightly raining, water will occasionally drain from one side. But we're not sure if this is intentional on the awning's part, or if that side is heavier from the weight of the rain.

We don't notice any movement from the awning arms adjusting.

I've searched posts and looked thru our owner's manual but don't find any info on this feature.

Any info you can share is appreciated! Thanks!

bluie5 · 09-30-2017, 12:09 PM

Ours needed a lot of water on it before it dumped. Can you pull the awning down on the corners? If you can and it goes back up when you let go it will dump.

SkyBound · 10-01-2017, 06:24 AM

NEVER rely on the auto dump feature. Tilt your awning appropriately or bring it in. That feature is meant to be a last resort failsafe before your awning gets damaged or ripped off your rig.

ShawnR · 10-01-2017, 06:40 AM

Grab the lowest arm where it braces against your coach and pull down against the tension created by the strut. The arm will fold somewhat and the awning fabric will go slack so water can run off...right at where you're standing. It takes a lot of water to dump itself. Not a good idea to let that much water accumulate.

Witt74 · 10-01-2017, 06:51 AM

I always tilt my awing for water runoff. Don't trust the auto dump feature. But then again, I'm a little gun shy as I have lost one awing due to water buildup.

**norty1** · 10-01-2017, 08:28 AM

Mine has the Auto Dump feature but no way to set the awning at an angle like my old manual one. I still prefer it and have just changed my routine. The camper is never left for long w/o bringing it in part way. If it's raining, I will bring it in a little and let it dump. I have seen it dump but don't want that much weight on it beforehand.

NCMFFD · 10-01-2017, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkyBound

NEVER rely on the auto dump feature. Tilt your awning appropriately or bring it in. That feature is meant to be a last resort failsafe before your awning gets damaged or ripped off your rig.

We've always brought the awning in during rainy and windy weather or when we're away from camp.

Learned that lesson a couple years ago when a sudden thunderstorm in Grand Junction literally came out of nowhere a and nearly ripped off the awning the TT while trying to get it retracted.

vcbice · 10-02-2017, 05:50 AM

Yep, don't rely on the 'auto' dump. Mine pulled the awning mount strip away from the trailer.

29BHS ECO · 10-02-2017, 08:56 AM

My auto dump works great--- Sunday of labor day weekend we, in Maine, got over an inch of rain and it dumped as it should. Even in minor rain events it works great. Larry ps the trailer is a 2008 19h, awning is original.

CA-Texas · 10-02-2017, 09:44 AM

You've all convinced us ... don't rely solely on auto dump ... tilt our awning in the rain or retract it. It's just that on those lazy campground days when it's lightly sprinkling out, it's nice to sit out and enjoy the outdoors. Will see if hubby can figure out how to manually tilt our power awning a bit. Thanks for the info ... and for saving us the cost of a replacement awning.

bankr63 · 10-02-2017, 10:53 AM

Adjusting pitch for a Carefree:

For our Carefree, there are 3 or 4 holes in the outer arm, with a spring pin on the inner arm. Adjust the pitch by pushing in the pin and sliding the arm to the next position. I have never been able to do this with the awning deployed (too much tension), but it is quite east to move before deploying. Carefree does not recommend retracting/storing it with any more than 1 notch difference between the two sides.

Also note that if yours auto-dumps it will have an air strut (like on a hatchback) that provides the tension and return for the auto-dump. If you don't have the struts, I'm fairly certain it's not an auto-dump model.

ETA: I rely on our autodump when camping, and we have been through some gullywashers. I'll bring it in for strong winds (tornado warnings in area), but never have for rain.

bdreinv · 10-02-2017, 11:16 AM

Does my 16 Eagle have auto dump feature? Usually just adjust one side lower in the rain. If you for get to unloosen. I think it will bow out the short strut eventually when you retract!Generally not that much rain in Arizona. Thanks

CA-Texas · 10-03-2017, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bankr63

Adjusting pitch for a Carefree:

For our Carefree, there are 3 or 4 holes in the outer arm, with a spring pin on the inner arm. Adjust the pitch by pushing in the pin and sliding the arm to the next position. I have never been able to do this with the awning deployed (too much tension), but it is quite east to move before deploying. Carefree does not recommend retracting/storing it with any more than 1 notch difference between the two sides.

Also note that if yours auto-dumps it will have an air strut (like on a hatchback) that provides the tension and return for the auto-dump. If you don't have the struts, I'm fairly certain it's not an auto-dump model.

ETA: I rely on our autodump when camping, and we have been through some gullywashers. I'll bring it in for strong winds (tornado warnings in area), but never have for rain.

Ours has the strut and the awning was set at the most elevated position and was practically horizontal ... we moved the pin to the next hole in the outer arm and the awning is now at a slight angle and any water should naturally drain. We won't leave it extended during a downpur, but it will be nice to sit under it during a light misty sprinkling.

Thanks again for taking the time to explain this ... appreciate it!!!

29BHS ECO · 07-24-2018, 08:21 PM

While I bragged about the auto-dump on the 19H (13 FT AWNING) working great, the "08 29BHS ( 20 ft awning), we now own ,had one of the arms twisted to h--- during a heavy rain here at home. It was covered by Ins. I now have an adjustable arm on the left end (non motorized). I guess the longer awnings accumulate to much water in the middle and only dump when one of the arms gets destroyed.

Tunce the traveler · 07-24-2018, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bankr63

Adjusting pitch for a Carefree:

For our Carefree, I rely on our autodump when camping, and we have been through some gullywashers. I'll bring it in for strong winds (tornado warnings in area), but never have for rain.

X2

michael.g · 07-25-2018, 01:11 PM

Our 2009 Greyhawk 31FS had a Colorado Carefree Electric Awning. It had the auto dump feature and it worked. Unfortunately, when we were parked on dirt or grass, the dumping of water would cause a mess and sometimes carve holes in the ground.

Our awning had 6 positions like bankr63 described in his post above. I had a hard time changing the pitch. It took a lot of effort to get the button pushed in enough to get the arm to move. I did find that if the awning was not in the same position on both arms, then the awning would not always retract. It would get slower and slower and then usually stop before fully retracting.

We usually left our awning in the lowest position for the steepest pitch. It wasn't as steep as a manual awning, but water never pooled on it.

-Michael

29BHS ECO · 07-25-2018, 03:10 PM

Michael.g I believe the directions for the adj arms says that you should have more than 3 holes of pitch when you retract.

bluegill1 · 07-25-2018, 04:08 PM

Have had two auto dump awnings, never an issue. Current one (2016) is better than the older one (2009), but both have been just fine. Wind....well that’s a whole different story. She always comes in on heavy winds.

DB Family · 07-26-2018, 06:01 AM

I have an electric Dometic Awning with the auto dump feature. If the wind is light you can adjust the tilt however if the a strong gust of wind hits the titled awning it will bend the arms. I had to replace the left assy last year; I no longer tilt the awning.

29BHS ECO · 07-28-2018, 02:58 PM

I mean you SHOULDN'T have more than a 3 adjustment difference between the 2 arms when you retract.

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