Community Forums

Jupiter · 06-23-2013, 09:57 PM

I had a minor "touch" with a tree branch while backing in a State Park site this weekend and broke this slide cover part. I have an idea or two on what this piece does for the slide cover, but I'm far from being confident about my thoughts

Furthermore, I'm hoping I can buy just the broken piece without having to buy an entire assembly.

one photo of a slide cover with the part; and one photo of the slide cover with the missing broken part. Appreciate any and all comments!

cheers,
Joopy

bdpreece · 06-23-2013, 10:03 PM

It is called an anti billow arm. I found this one one on Ebay but it is white. You could always buy a can of spray paint and try to match the original.

A E Anti Billow Hardware White 3109252001B | eBay

It is supposed to keep your awning from unfurling while driving down the road.

Jupiter · 06-23-2013, 10:08 PM

Thanks for the response and the link, Brian. Any idea how this piece works?

Joopy

rlyons · 06-23-2013, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jupiter

Thanks for the response and the link, Brian. Any idea how this piece works?

Joopy

If the awning trys to unroll that arm will hit the motorhome and stop it.

bdpreece · 06-23-2013, 10:44 PM

rlyons is correct. Have you ever been driving in a heavy wind and heard a very loud bang from the upper area of your motorhome? That would be the anti billow arm swinging around and hitting the side of the motorhome and keeping the awning from deploying. I do believe they are adjustable but don't quote me on that.

Jupiter · 06-23-2013, 11:02 PM

Thanks guys. Once you mentioned that it was an "anti-billowing" device, I did a search on this site and learned quite a bit more. I'm always so impressed with the amount and the quality of information on this site.

Thanks again for the advice.

cheers,
Joopy

Walter5555 · 06-23-2013, 11:52 PM

Acording to your first picture it looks like it was installed about 165 degrees from the wall.

The extended arm with the rubber end should be up against the wall of your rig when the awning is rolled up against the wall.

Take a look at some of the other R.V.'s and see the way the arm should be when the awning is closed up, there is a stopper on the wall for just that reason, it is easy to install a new one, I think that there are just a couple of screws holding it up there.

Just a thought.

Walter5555 · 06-24-2013, 12:06 AM

Acording to your first picture it looks like it was installed about 165 degrees from the wall.
The extended arm with the rubber end should be up against the sice wall of your rig.
Take a look at some of the other R.V.'s and see how that arm should be when the awning is closed up.
Just a thought.

speed racer · 06-24-2013, 06:16 AM

It is installed correctly in the pick. It has to be a little bit away so when it roles out it doesn't hit the wall.

UsualSuspect · 06-24-2013, 08:59 PM

The billow arm should be at the 1 o'clock position. If it is not, to adjust it, you need to drill new screw holes where you need them.

Mr_D · 06-24-2013, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terry Walter

Acording to your first picture it looks like it was installed about 165 degrees from the wall.

The extended arm with the rubber end should be up against the wall of your rig when the awning is rolled up against the wall.

Take a look at some of the other R.V.'s and see the way the arm should be when the awning is closed up, there is a stopper on the wall for just that reason, it is easy to install a new one, I think that there are just a couple of screws holding it up there.

Just a thought.

Incorrect info, according to the factory install instructions they should be just as in the picture.

murraymcleod · 10-02-2019, 05:51 PM

What's the downside if this anti-billowing arm is set at about the the 4 or 5 o'clock position rather than at the 1 o'clock position as shown? Seems that would be better for those of us that use a cover on the RV, as the upwards position is just a hole in the cover waiting to happen! I guess the cover could unfurl more before the lever hits a stop position?

Also, are these even needed on my Newmar, since it has those metal articulated cover shields...? Sorry for resurrecting this old thread, but couldn't I find the answer to these questions anywhere!

Skip426 · 10-03-2019, 12:55 AM

Downside , would be the run that the arm would get before getting to the stop, possibly enough force built up to snap the arm off .
The further the awning extends before the arm hits the stop , the greater the area of awning exposed to the wind and the more force the arm will have to ; try to ; control .

I've had my main awning ( aluminum wrapped ) blow open when I was hit with what I figured was a 40 mph cross wind, bent the stops on both arms . I travel with the arms zip tied now .

To protect your cover , cut a hole in a tennis ball , and cover the arm.

murraymcleod · 10-03-2019, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skip426

I've had my main awning ( aluminum wrapped ) blow open when I was hit with what I figured was a 40 mph cross wind, bent the stops on both arms . I travel with the arms zip tied now .

My main awning has no ant-billowing device, but is an automatic motor-driven awning. Is the motor "lock mechanism" enough to be wind resistant?

On my old RV with manual awning, I used velcro straps to prevent unfurling while traveling, but the motorized awning doesn't seem to allow that as the supports are mounted flush to the side of the coach so there's no where for a strap to go (at least where I can easily reach!)....