2015 DSDP 4369: How to manually retract awning?

[MikeGriffin]

We put out our rear awning today - without checking clearance with a nearby tree. The front half went out. The cloth crumpled up a bit. We move the coach forward. I was able to extend it fully. The cloth straightened out. I started retracting it, but it stopped about halfway. Now it won't move in or out.

The mechanics (arms, etc) look fine. But now we're stuck with it halfway out.

Suggestions? Anyone know how to manually retract it?

Thanks!

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[MikeGriffin]

So get this...

After trying to get it in many times, I opened the fuse bay and removed a fuse labeled Awn Lckout. Put in back in. Nothing happened.

So I thought I'd check out the awning controls in the bay just in front of the pegboard. I opened the door, pulled something out, and sat in the bay. As soon as I sat down, I heard the awning coming in! It came in all the way!

My only conclusion is that, by bending, I inadvertently pressed the awning remote control that was in my pocket - and still set to the same channel as the awning that was stuck. But why would it work then when it didn't work before? Very strange....but I'll guarantee that we're leaving it in for the rest of our trip!

Wow.

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[deaton]

Mike -

Glad to hear you got it to come in. Awnings spook me out. I have a bad history with them. I did learn long ago not to carry awning remotes in my pocket. I’m so paranoid about an accidental deployment while driving (yes, I’ve had one of those) I pull the plugs in the basement when on the road.

Check it out carefully when you get home. Sometimes an arm can be bent when it looks ok.

The only awning on my DS that has a manual retract socket is the door awning. Newmar included a tool to wind that one in. I asked the dealer why the manual retract on that one and he said, “They fail all the time”. Sounded right, on my two previous coaches I had two door awnings fail.

I would guess on a big one like that, you would need two guys, two ladders, and tools.

[ghaynes754]

And someplace you have a manual crank. Painted white, fairly long, kind of like a car jack crank.