Extra track on my Care Free......Awning El !

[Renden]

Trying to add a 18X10 ' shade at 45 degree angle from my Carefree of Colorado Awning - have to remove the head and even then, it is difficult to insert a track (PVC or the shade itself) - 1st installation I left the 2 foot by 18 foot shade piece on and when I tried to bring the awning to close, had to push it manually and this did change the mechanics of the roller when I would put it out - The electric motor works like a slave I removed the shade and Awning comes in and out accordingly, and slowly as usual since I got the Coach in June (2006) - Bought from Camping World some PVC inserts (double track) but still have to remove the Head to insert the 6 pieces (3 footers) - Well - This is giving me some Thanks

[GaryKD]

Hi Renden,
You are correct in being frustrated. I had the same problem and gave up. It was too much hassle. I could find no solution to make the installation work first time every time.

[Renden]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaryKD Hi Renden, You are correct in being frustrated. I had the same problem and gave up. It was too much hassle. I could find no solution to make the installation work first time every time.

Thanks for your response - I thought other Newmar owners with same Carefree Awning would give their experiences - my title must have been non attractive or nobody uses shades on their Awnings to shield some UV rays

["007"]

Renden you probably got these instructions with Awning which seem simple enough.
If you didn't have the access hole to track in roller bar maybe you have to drill or make one larger.

Also Side Blocker

[Renden]

Thanks 007

I did read your links on their Website - The problemo is that I have huge plastic heads at each end of the Awning and even removing one to access the track, the metal portion underneath is even giving me a hard time, unless I drill a hole in it and that leaves me with an uncovered end or Head - it takes some work and flexibility to remove the screws of one Head - and since I cannot leave a 18 ' X 10 ' shade on permanently (because wind will damage the Awning) - this is a complicated task - I tried some tracks sold by Camping World (3' X 6 pieces) and the task is not easier - still have to remove one Head, etc. etc. etc. - so.......frustration has given me time to rethink the whole process - and I have a nice piece of shade in a box

["007"]

Here is a system that has what you want I do not see where Carefree makes such a system.
Looking at Carefree's different awnings hardware the only utility roller is what section 1- pg 40 has with large slot in diagram that is also used for lighting bar.
The metal end caps you have will present a problem.

[GaryKD]

Even if the mounting was no problem, there is the forever problem of the strain on the motor during opening/closing. This is what was the final straw for me. I've already replaced one awning motor. There is no "heavy duty" motor available.

[Renden]

Thanks 007 and GaryKD - The Girard apparatus is nice but cannot be adapted (I think) to a Carefree of Colorado Awning like mine - Gary is right about the motor and the fact that if you leave a piece of shade on and roll it up- it will strain the motor and also change the dynamics of the roller as it is put out - I have tried all normal ways to insert a track or the Shade piece directly in the available track (head off) -

Now I am trying to see if I can adapt a seperate temporary piece that would carry the Shade and be held at the end of the open Awning..like a poll that would carry the shade and would sit on the end of the awning prior to the Heads ?...

[Renden]

Yes, there exists an opening (on top of the head of the Carefree Awing) to insert my Shade (2X18 ft) and I siliconed every bit of the Awning and it is 50% more efficient......now in the event of trouble (winds) I remove the big piece of Shade and roll in the 2X18 with a little help from my wyfe