Community Forums

Md shedman · 05-21-2008, 06:10 AM

We just came back from a trip out west and on our first day driving back our bedroom window awning started blowing out (open). It was very windy almost 40-55 mph. Even when we stopped at Walmart it would blow out. The coach handled great for that kind of wind. I duck taped the arms on the awning and that took care of it. Has anbosy else had this problem? This happened out in New Mexico!

Md shedman · 05-21-2008, 06:10 AM

We just came back from a trip out west and on our first day driving back our bedroom window awning started blowing out (open). It was very windy almost 40-55 mph. Even when we stopped at Walmart it would blow out. The coach handled great for that kind of wind. I duck taped the arms on the awning and that took care of it. Has anbosy else had this problem? This happened out in New Mexico!

bellsharbor · 05-21-2008, 06:57 AM

Hope you had a good trip. Yes, I have had my window awnings blow open. If you have the A&E window awnings and if you have your instructions, it will tell you how to put more tension on the springs. You have to be real careful of the spring tension when taking the ends off. Torsions are to be wound with the awning in the near closed position. Open awning just far enough to be able to rotate the top casting. After removing a bolt and lifting the end piece (casting) out of the arm you can wind it a few more turns. I would suggest wearing leather work gloves and checking the instructions as to how many turns A&E recommends. Mine says for awning size 30" to 48" 9 turns--54" 10 turns--60" 11 turns and 66" to 84" 12 turns. When facing the awning the top casting on the right is to be turned counter-clockwise and the left clockwise. Happy Travels-

John

FrontRangeRVer · 05-21-2008, 09:40 AM

Bellsharbor is correct. You don't have near enough tension on the springs. Your window awning should never open up on its own.

SeeTheUSA · 05-21-2008, 10:50 AM

Here's the A&E (Dometic) website file with window awning tensioning instructions (entitled "Winding Torsions").

http://www.dometicusa.com/pdf/3308242.001.pdf

Hope this helps . . .

AFChap · 05-22-2008, 06:25 AM

My window awnings, both on the driver's side, are Carefree. There are no arms to duct tape, unless I taped the one arm there is to the wall of the coach!

I have noticed them opening up to 6" on two trips in the past five years, both times when we had very strong cross winds from the driver's side. Last time it happened, I pulled over and put "pins" in the hole on the left end of the awnings to prevent them from moving. My "pins" were short pieces of clothes hanger, and I secured them with wire ties just to be sure they could not fall out.