Carefree Slide Awning Covers

[hardy1000]

We were spending the night on the road and we heard what sounded like helecopters landing on top of us. I got out of bed to see what was going on and to see where the choppers were landing....well.... after getting dressed and going outside to see where they were landing, I discovered that there were no helecopters it was the wind blowing through my awning's and the covers were flapping violently. I called Carefree the next day and they told me that they were cut to the correct length and thats that...no help no suggestions nothing. This is the second time I have had trouble with Carefree and I will never purchase anything from them ever again. Does anyone have a solution or know of a product that would correct this? (except the summit system from Carefree). I have seen other people that put styrofoam to take up the slack, but then you have to get on a ladder and remove it when you leave.

[Pusherpilot]

Flapping slide covers are a universal problem I'm afraid. I've seen folks jam basket balls or maybe they were soccer balls under them with a line attached to pull them out when leaving. I had our Carefree covers replaced last spring (5 yrs old) because they were pulling away from the coach. that stopped the flapping for now but I fully expect it to be back. I asked the tech about it and he said some of them weren't wound tight enough but I wouldn't know how to do that.

[MrMudstud]

If they are not torn or pulled away for the awning itself, then I believe that the spring needs to be tighten up to have tension on the material. Maybe a turn or two should do it. If you don't know how, read up on the process. It will take two people to do it so the awning doesn't get away from you and knock you silly, if you know wheat I mean. If that sounds like more than you can handle, take it to a repair shop and they should be able to fix you up............Good Luck

[AFChap]

Ours only make a lot of noise if the wind if just right from end to end. I replaced the fabric on mine a couple of years ago -- it wouldn't be too difficult to increase the tension a revolution or two. It would require pinning the left end of the roller, taking it loose, rolling it a revolutino or two, then moving the slide in enough to re-attach it. Of course, there is a limit to how tight the spring can be -- I think mine could easily take one or two more revolutions of the roller, but proceed at your own risk!!! As far as stabilizing the fabric a bit in wind, if you don't want to put some inflatable item under the fabric (I am not interested in that option), you can throw a rope across the slide from end to end and tie it around the slide just tight enough to put tension on the fabric. That not only secures the topper, it also channels any rain water down the rope. I haven't done this yet, but have been tempted!!

[hardy1000]

Thanks everyone, I appriciate your input.