Community Forums

rhusak · 04-10-2017, 12:49 PM

Hi all..
Well we are still at Lake Havasu enjoying the sun and temperature... Moved to our current spot Tuesday.. Getting some quality Pontoon Time and sun!
But now for my question.. A couple of days ago I noted that the awning roller was not level! I have a sun shade on it and it was obvious..
My back is really sore so I had to wait till my curiosity bothered me more than my bad back.. Well today is the day!
I got up on the ladder and looked at the rear arms... They were not level like the front ones are.. Well I then noted that the rear arm was subtly retracting on itself. I grabbed ahold of the arm and it slides onto itself.. There is a slot on the arm! There is what appears to be a roll pin that goes through the outside of arm (the part that is visible) that goes trough the arm that goes to the inside of the other... I can see no obvious way of tightening these arms.. It obviously needs to be tightened so it cant move and go uneven.
I hope you understand what I am asking.. Should be simple but I don't see it..
Any observations?
Thanks in advance for your help..
Ron

Mr_D · 04-10-2017, 01:03 PM

Some of the awnings have an "autodump" feature. When they get too much rain the back arm will partly collapse and dump the excess water. Maybe that's what you have. I've never had an awning like that so I don't know if there's some kind of spring in there or not.

rhusak · 04-10-2017, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_D

Some of the awnings have an "autodump" feature. When they get too much rain the back arm will partly collapse and dump the excess water. Maybe that's what you have. I've never had an awning like that so I don't know if there's some kind of spring in there or not.

Mr D..
I bet you are right! I have never noticed it before. I have one of those sun screen deals that zip to the12 inches of screen that stay permanently on the awning roller.. We had this installed last year while we were here.. Only the 2nd or third time we have used it.. I stake the bottom of the screen with Bungee cords to allow for some wind.. Maybe I did that tighter than before and that is when I noted it! Mor tension pulled that corner down!
Thanks for your insight...
Ron

RKins · 04-10-2017, 01:51 PM

Another thing you can do is write down the A&E model number and call dometic (google the #) and ask them to email you or point you to the install sheets for that model. They helped me a lot.

USMCRET · 04-10-2017, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhusak

Mr D..
I bet you are right! I have never noticed it before. I have one of those sun screen deals that zip to the12 inches of screen that stay permanently on the awning roller.. We had this installed last year while we were here.. Only the 2nd or third time we have used it.. I stake the bottom of the screen with Bungee cords to allow for some wind.. Maybe I did that tighter than before and that is when I noted it! Mor tension pulled that corner down!
Thanks for your insight...
Ron

That is exactly what the issue is. Any time you stake that awning down, that is likely to occur. In fact, it's quite a trick to stake it without it occurring.

Sheriffbubba · 04-10-2017, 07:35 PM

My awning is a Carefree but it has this water dump feature also. It also has a gas strut at each end that keeps the tension and brings the awning back where it should be after dumping water or if it moves a little bit in the breeze... you might need to check your gas struts, if you have them... might need to be replaced.

paintergirl2 · 08-22-2017, 06:50 AM

I have a s&a dometic model 85097cq.108? That has worn out both end caps. I have dissambled and cleaned the slide cover and replaced the fabric with heavy duty sunbrella. The end caps, part 521 and 522 are worn and the Dometic website says they are no longer available. Does anybody else know where I can get some, or am I into repair mode? Many thanks, Ric