Dometic awning needs adjusting

[janieD]

Our powered Dometic Weatherpro awning doesn't roll up straight on the tube. By the time it gets to the fully retracted position against the side of the 5th wheel, the canopy is displaced by an inch or so, enough to pull the support structure out of line with the rails attached to the side of the rig. I can force it back into alignment by climbing a ladder and pulling on it, enough to tow with anyway, but it's a hassle. I can't see any adjustment that might correct this problem. The manual for this awning doesn't mention it in their list of things that might go wrong, but I did learn I don't have a strap that was supposed to come with it that's used to relieve tension on the tube when forcing a retraction without power.
- John

[drfife]

On my previous manual Dometic awning, I occasionally needed to loosen the retaining screws on the awning fabric on the rail on trailer. Align the awning fabric, run it in and out to verify, then re-tighten the screws.

Hopefully this helps.....

[wa8yxm]

On mine the fabric is free to slide forward or backward in the roller tube

LIFT it a bit with the roller locked (if it is a power type it is locked so just lift) you may need to pin the roller to lock it (One end has a hole you can stick a pin in to lock it, use a very high grade pin)

With tension off the fabric work the fabric forward or rearward on the tube (If the tube is too far forward work the fabric forward)

Forward is the front end as you go down the road (not that it matters)

[janieD]

Originally Posted by wa8yxm

With tension off the fabric work the fabric forward or rearward on the tube (If the tube is too far forward work the fabric forward)

Finally got some time to try this, and it worked great! With some help from the wife, and some patience, I was able to scootch the fabric rearward on the tube about an inch or so. When I rolled the awning back up, it walked a little forward but then started rolling up straight, so by the time it reached the top rail (in the stored position) everything looked fine. What a difference an inch made.

Thanks for the tip.

- John