Opening and closing the awning
Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2011 12:06 pm
The awnings in our campers are pretty simple, and though there are various design changes over the years I think they essentially work the same way.
Here's how I open my awning:
1. Unlock the two latches that keep it closed.
2. Hook the crank handle into the eye and start rotating it a bit to open the awning a few inches.
3. Loosen the thumbscrew on one leg, then push it toward the outside edge of the awning (against the spring), then lower the leg to the ground. Raise the leg so that it's supporting at least some of the weight of the awning. Repeat for the other leg. Note the manual for my awning indicates that this is unnecessary; you should be able to crank the entire awning out then lower the legs. However, I like to avoid putting as much stress on the arms as I can.
4. As I unroll the awning, I occasionally stop and reposition the legs to "walk" the awning out, again, so the arms aren't supporting the entire weight.
5. When the awning reaches full extension, the arms will go almost entirely straight and the fabric will go slack. Crank it back up a little bit to make the fabric taut.
6. Adjust the legs to make the awning approximately level, but you may want to lower one end in case it rains.
7. Technically the awning should either be staked down or the legs should be placed into the holders on the side of the camper if yours has them (mine doesn't).
Contrary to that 6th step I don't recommend leaving the awning open in the rain. Here's why. Yes, that is the remains of one of my awning arms after it collapsed due to the weight of rainwater. Granted it was a pretty nasty storm, but don't risk it - close your awning. (I'm normally pretty careful about closing it but it just didn't occur to me that day.)
To close the awning, I basically do the reverse - cranking it in, stopping occasionally to "walk" the legs back in. When the awning is fully retracted, swing the legs back up into it by loosening the thumbscrews again, making the leg as short as possible, then pushing against the spring to fold the leg in. The feet only fit in one direction, and they will slide into a hole in the other part. One of my legs always pops right in, the other is somewhat balky, so be sure both pop in. Tighten the thumbscrews again to prevent them from loosening and falling out.
How does the awning work?
I'm glad you asked, because I've figured it out (after having mine apart due to the aforementioned collapse) and it's really quite simple. When you turn the crank, there is a gear mechanism up there that rotates the spool, and that's all it does.
The tension that forces the awning to unroll (and roll evenly and tightly) is all provided by the arms, which are spring loaded (quite heavily, mind you - there's a lot of force there) so that they are trying to straighten out. So, essentially, there are four moving parts -- the gear mechanism and spool (which move as one), and the two arms. That's it.
Maintenance
The awnings should not be closed while wet (or, if they are, opened and allowed to dry as soon as possible).
Cleaning is done with a mixture of 1/4 cup of dish soap and 1/4 cup of bleach mixed with 5 gallons of water. Slosh this mixture on to the top of the fabric, then roll it up for 5 minutes to get the bottom of the fabric. Roll it back out, hose off with fresh water, repeat if necessary, and allow the awning to dry before rolling it back up.
Lubricate the rafter arms and support arms using paraffin wax or silicone spray. Also lube the threads on the knobs.
Small Window Awning
If you have the optional awning over the street side large window, to open this just unroll it using the ribbon and hook it on the provided hook below the window. I've given up worrying about this one being wet when I close it - it gets wet when it rains even while closed.
This awning relies on springs in the roller that are set so that the awning is always trying to roll up (much like 'normal' RV awnings work). If this awning should come off the camper, be careful - the roller springs in them have a lot of tension that will want to spin the arms around unexpectedly.
Here's how I open my awning:
1. Unlock the two latches that keep it closed.
2. Hook the crank handle into the eye and start rotating it a bit to open the awning a few inches.
3. Loosen the thumbscrew on one leg, then push it toward the outside edge of the awning (against the spring), then lower the leg to the ground. Raise the leg so that it's supporting at least some of the weight of the awning. Repeat for the other leg. Note the manual for my awning indicates that this is unnecessary; you should be able to crank the entire awning out then lower the legs. However, I like to avoid putting as much stress on the arms as I can.
4. As I unroll the awning, I occasionally stop and reposition the legs to "walk" the awning out, again, so the arms aren't supporting the entire weight.
5. When the awning reaches full extension, the arms will go almost entirely straight and the fabric will go slack. Crank it back up a little bit to make the fabric taut.
6. Adjust the legs to make the awning approximately level, but you may want to lower one end in case it rains.
7. Technically the awning should either be staked down or the legs should be placed into the holders on the side of the camper if yours has them (mine doesn't).
Contrary to that 6th step I don't recommend leaving the awning open in the rain. Here's why. Yes, that is the remains of one of my awning arms after it collapsed due to the weight of rainwater. Granted it was a pretty nasty storm, but don't risk it - close your awning. (I'm normally pretty careful about closing it but it just didn't occur to me that day.)
To close the awning, I basically do the reverse - cranking it in, stopping occasionally to "walk" the legs back in. When the awning is fully retracted, swing the legs back up into it by loosening the thumbscrews again, making the leg as short as possible, then pushing against the spring to fold the leg in. The feet only fit in one direction, and they will slide into a hole in the other part. One of my legs always pops right in, the other is somewhat balky, so be sure both pop in. Tighten the thumbscrews again to prevent them from loosening and falling out.
How does the awning work?
I'm glad you asked, because I've figured it out (after having mine apart due to the aforementioned collapse) and it's really quite simple. When you turn the crank, there is a gear mechanism up there that rotates the spool, and that's all it does.
The tension that forces the awning to unroll (and roll evenly and tightly) is all provided by the arms, which are spring loaded (quite heavily, mind you - there's a lot of force there) so that they are trying to straighten out. So, essentially, there are four moving parts -- the gear mechanism and spool (which move as one), and the two arms. That's it.
Maintenance
The awnings should not be closed while wet (or, if they are, opened and allowed to dry as soon as possible).
Cleaning is done with a mixture of 1/4 cup of dish soap and 1/4 cup of bleach mixed with 5 gallons of water. Slosh this mixture on to the top of the fabric, then roll it up for 5 minutes to get the bottom of the fabric. Roll it back out, hose off with fresh water, repeat if necessary, and allow the awning to dry before rolling it back up.
Lubricate the rafter arms and support arms using paraffin wax or silicone spray. Also lube the threads on the knobs.
Small Window Awning
If you have the optional awning over the street side large window, to open this just unroll it using the ribbon and hook it on the provided hook below the window. I've given up worrying about this one being wet when I close it - it gets wet when it rains even while closed.
This awning relies on springs in the roller that are set so that the awning is always trying to roll up (much like 'normal' RV awnings work). If this awning should come off the camper, be careful - the roller springs in them have a lot of tension that will want to spin the arms around unexpectedly.