Replacing an awning arm

[BJR]

Today I replaced the idler awning arm on our 2016 287BHSW. The awning is a Carefree Longitude.

Time:
2 - 3 hours

Tools:
8' ladder and 6' ladder
Flat blade screw driver
3/8" socket and driver
Caulk and caulk gun
Velcro strap
3/8" driver extensions

Dissassembly
First things first, with the arm closed, remove the caps and bolts you can access through the collapsed arm. Then extend the awning and put the 8' ladder near the tube. Pop off the covers on the head (optional) and/or pop the small cover near the tube. There's a retainer clip in there that pulls out and releases the arm from the tube. The trickiest part of this whole thing is the tube wants to pull back towards the camper once it's free of the arm. See the pictures. Once the arm is free of the tube, you simply have to unbolt it from the camper.

Installation
Begin by unboxing the arm and parts. You can put the velcro strap around the arm before you cut the cable ties. The arm will want to expand under the pressure of the strut. Fill the holes and area with caulk before mounting the arm.

Use the two mounting bolts you can access through the arm to mount it to the camper. Don't do the top one too snug until you take off your velcro strap. It will expand out towards the tube. Slide the end of the tube into the arm and pop in the retaining clip. There are two grooves in the end of the tube, make sure it's out far enough to see the narrow one. Pop the covers on and install the rest of the lag bolts. Install the two covers on the bolt holes and adjust the arm for pitch. All done.