Awning

[zipp]

I have a 2002 Dolphin 5356. MY Problem--- I had the grandkids for a cook out this weekend, it was around 91 degrees out so decided to open the patio awning of the RV. I had a hard time getting the release latch to stay down so I could pull it out, so Mighty Wife got on the roof and used a screw driver to push it down farther so I could pull it down. Once I unrolled it all the way it locked in like it's supposed to. The problem I have now is I can't get the release latch to lock once it's rolled up. It kind of locks but the latch is pointing horizontal not straight up like it always did in the past- and you can still pull the awning about 4 or 5 inches away from the side also. Any Ideas? PS I tried the kind of hard slam when your about a foot or 2 away from the side. Thanks

[Kahoona]

I have had the same problem. If it is the same it just gets tight and hard to move. I did several things that are maintenance things ant it improved. Don't know which it was but my guess is with the spray grease.


I got it to open by getting up there and twisting on the roller tube to release tension while banging on the lever. Prob. same as you did. Once open I made sure that the awning fabric was centered on the roller tube, it slides best if wet. T got a popsicle stick if white lithium grease and greased every moving joint. Spray grease won't get enough grease in there. Wait to wipe it off until you extend and retract it a couple of times. While it is extended and lowered as much as possible spray a can of white lithium spray grease onto the holes in the tube on the lever side. Cover everything you can reach on the inside. Use a lot. Only a 20th of what comes will remain. A lot will run out so keep the fabric out of the way. When the drip stops then run it in and out most of the way few times and see how it works.

I did this routine as part of spring maintenance after that.

[zipp]

Originally Posted by Kahoona

I have had the same problem. If it is the same it just gets tight and hard to move. I did several things that are maintenance things ant it improved. Don't know which it was but my guess is with the spray grease.


I got it to open by getting up there and twisting on the roller tube to release tension while banging on the lever. Prob. same as you did. Once open I made sure that the awning fabric was centered on the roller tube, it slides best if wet. T got a popsicle stick if white lithium grease and greased every moving joint. Spray grease won't get enough grease in there. Wait to wipe it off until you extend and retract it a couple of times. While it is extended and lowered as much as possible spray a can of white lithium spray grease onto the holes in the tube on the lever side. Cover everything you can reach on the inside. Use a lot. Only a 20th of what comes will remain. A lot will run out so keep the fabric out of the way. When the drip stops then run it in and out most of the way few times and see how it works.

I did this routine as part of spring maintenance after that.

I think your onto something, because I haven't used the awning in 4 0r 5 years. I'll give it a try. Thanks.

[zipp]

Well I greased it up good ,now the thing won't lock when I pull it out! I called an RV service and there like 6 weeks out for service! I guess I'll keep on working on it. Is the latch supposed to be straight up when locked or more like a horizontal position?