Dometic Oasis Elite Door Awning Stuck Open

[talquin1]

I have a 2005 Itasca 40' motorhome with a Dometic A&E door awning that is stuck in the open position. I can push the extend or retract buttons but the awning does not move. When I extended the awning there was a loud thump when it reached the full open point. Now the motor still sounds like it is working but the roller does not turn and the arms don't move. Can't move the motorhome with the awning out so I need to find out how to get it back in so I can have it serviced. If there is a solution in buying parts to fix this, I will not be moving again for 9 days. Please help.

[GaryKD]

Hi talquin1,
Welcome to iRV2. Do not feel alone. This awning is notorious for doing this. Repair of the awning will require the motor to be removed and a mating part be replaced. If you plan to do this yourself, consider removing the awning from the coach (cut two wires and remove about 4 screws). Slide the awning forward until it slides out of its' track. If you plan to have a shop fix it, purchase some long plastic wire ties. You might be able to feed the wire ties behind the awning enough to hold it closed.

What happened is the motor shaft is mated to the awning roller tube via a hub with a key that fits between the two parts (motor shaft and mating hub). This key is made of soft metal and will wear out over a period of opening an closing the awning. The awning is spring loaded to the out position.

To see the mating part (awning clutch go to Door Awning Clutch - iRV2.com RV Photo Gallery
and
Door Awning Clutch - iRV2.com RV Photo Gallery
there is a short narrative at the bottom of this photo.

If you are handy, do not through out the part. I drilled/tapped for a #2 thread. Went to the local hardware store and got two very short #2 set screws. Now I have a spare for when the new part wear out again. Once the part with the set screws is installed, this problem should never happen again.

[talquin1]

GaryKD thank you for responding to the thread. You gave me valuable information especially with the photos. Not sure if I'm going to attempt to repair it myself. You mentioned using long wire ties to hold the awning in so I would have the ability to move the coach. My question is can I push the awning back in like it is now or do I have to remove the caps and turn the roller by hand to get the awning back in place. Thank again, talquin1

[GaryKD]

Hi talquin1,
One can manually push the awning into the closed position. It will not be tight, but closed. The wire ties will hold it in place. It is easiest to do this with a helper. The awning tube can be rolled with one's fingers as the awning is pushed in to the closed position.

Before doing this have the wire ties already positioned behind the awning cover so they can be fastened and tightened quickly. The closer the awning gets to the closed position more strength is required to keep it there.

[Tha_Rooster]

Mine shot out going down the freeway I pushed it in and held it while my son zip tied it on each end. It was really not a bad do it yourself project. probably a $150 to $200 plus parts repair.

[gedwards]

Had the same problem with ours. We used zip ties as well to keep it closed, and drove it to DaysRV. They said that some screws that hold the motor came loose, so that the gears would not stay engaged. They fixed it for $20!

[dickers1]

dickers1
I would like to comment on all the information my wife found on irv2. We had the door awning pop out two days ago. Fortunatley we are in South Padre Island KOA and are not going anywhere for a few months. We called a local RV repair guy, by the time he got out here my wife had done a search on her Android and determined the problem before the reapir guy arrived. Great job done by all of the responders in the Thread. I sat down and joined irv2 within a few minutes. What a great resource.

[SarahW]

Welcome Dickers1! You're right, this is a great resource for all kinds of info!

[mschwartz]

Much like Talquin1 the oasis elite door awning on my Itasca motorhome failed to retract. Since we had a travel day planned, I looped a thin rope with a slip knot around the two hinged support arms. My wife slowly pulled down on the loose end causing the arms to retract. Once fully retracted, several strips of duct tape were applied to both ends which held securely for the rest of our trip; nine days and 900 miles including wide temperature ranges and high winds. Once home I followed GaryKB’s repair suggestions, I used a 1/8th Allen set screw to secure the drive shaft with blue Loctite™. Additionally, I drilled the lower rim of the plastic housing to allow my Allen wrench to tighten the set screw after the awning was reinstalled. Should the set screw ever loosen, this hole will allow access to tighten it by just removing the motor cover. Finally, Dometic does still sell a replacement part under a new stock number 3310300.000. I would like to thank you all for your posts as they helped make my trip and the repairs a success. Keep that RV spirit alive.