Care Free Awning Motor

[JML5281]

I have a 2006 HR Scepter with Care Free of Colorado awnings. The main awning moter goes out but has trouble pulling in the awning. I need to pull down on the arms to help it in. My campsight neighbor tells me I need a new awning motor. I've tried WD-40 and then Silicon spray and they do not seem to help. How do I know if it is the motor? Is this something I can replace myself or is it more of a two man job?

[Ledawg]

I have the same problem. Mine will start going in but will stop. If you wait a few seconds it will start working again. The motor seems weak. I have tried adding a shade screen on my awning, it wont even pull in the awning with the short 10" section of the shade that is suppose to stay on the awning. I would love to know if the motor is the problem. With that being said I will be following what everyone has to say.

[Camp CA]

You did not say what Carefree model generally on a tag on the awning roller. Suggest a stepwise troubleshooting including checking motor voltage. In the meantime, you might find this article on Carefree awning motor replacement helpful: https://www.irv2.com/forums/f112/car...nt-388060.html.

[jacwjames]

Mine use to do the same thing, become really weak/slow and and at times wouldn't work at all.
I have/had a bayonet type wire connector mounted on the outside of the coach. You twist and the pull it apart. Tow small contacts on the inside that would get a little corroded.

~2015 we were camping, left the awning out a couple feet, went to bed and a thunderstorm popped up, awning was billowing but would not come in. Had to crawl up on the rood during the storm, undo the connector, plug it back in, and the awning worked.

That was the last straw. Called Carefree hoping they had a new part or an upgrade, NOPE. Asked what they do now and they just go straight through the outside wall and put the connection on the inside using wire nuts and then caulk around the wire. They didn't even sell a different part like this and I couldn't find one like it. Others out there but didn't want to go that route.

I got creative, took the two part connector off, drilled a large hole through the whole thing, pushed the wire through the outside portion and then used wire butt connectors to attach the wires. I used the outside portion of the wiring connector as a screw on type compression fitting, used rubber tape and a little silicon on that and screwed it onto the assembly. It was a tight compression fit so no problem with water.

I have not had ONE problem with the awning since, works much faster and always works in and out.

Here's a picture of the connector, it is located under the awning toward the front arms.

[Dick1142]

Replacement on mine was very easy, and I suspect yours may be the same since we are similar year. Actually pulled mine and went to an auto store....it is nothing but a power window motor. Much cheaper than same item at RV dealer.

[Arch Hoagland]

Mine does the same thing.

When it was installed they tapped the 12 volt power from a nearby ceiling light. If I turn off all the lights then it comes in fine.

So for mine power was the problem.

[tc914-8]

During my post winter maintenance I unscrew the connector and flush it with WD-40. My connector Showed signs of corrosion on a couple of the terminals. Ever since flushing it with WD-40, I have not seen the corrosion return, nor do I have any problems with it retracting.

[Crabbyjerry]

Originally Posted by jacwjames

Mine use to do the same thing, become really weak/slow and and at times wouldn't work at all.
I have/had a bayonet type wire connector mounted on the outside of the coach. You twist and the pull it apart. Tow small contacts on the inside that would get a little corroded.

~2015 we were camping, left the awning out a couple feet, went to bed and a thunderstorm popped up, awning was billowing but would not come in. Had to crawl up on the rood during the storm, undo the connector, plug it back in, and the awning worked.

That was the last straw. Called Carefree hoping they had a new part or an upgrade, NOPE. Asked what they do now and they just go straight through the outside wall and put the connection on the inside using wire nuts and then caulk around the wire. They didn't even sell a different part like this and I couldn't find one like it. Others out there but didn't want to go that route.

I got creative, took the two part connector off, drilled a large hole through the whole thing, pushed the wire through the outside portion and then used wire butt connectors to attach the wires. I used the outside portion of the wiring connector as a screw on type compression fitting, used rubber tape and a little silicon on that and screwed it onto the assembly. It was a tight compression fit so no problem with water.

I have not had ONE problem with the awning since, works much faster and always works in and out.

Here's a picture of the connector, it is located under the awning toward the front arms.

I’ve had same issue. Goes out ok, but needs my assistance pulling arm back on way in. I was told awhile ago that it was the absorbers on the arms. They would have to be drilled out and I never got around to it. I’ve changed out motor which is a dumb design because if awning is against coach you have to break the cover off since screws are on inside. Carefree themselves said it was dumb. It would be great if it’s just corrosion at that plug and I’ve been dealing with it like that for awhile. I’m not near coach to check but it’s now on my list. Thanks for the heads up

[153stars]

My Carefree One Touch has hole in cover to Allan head screw that will move awning very slowly by hand or just fine with a cordless drill. Possibly yours has similar. Also a set of jumper studs to motor.

[Drifter]

Easy fix, push the awning back to closed position. Roll the awning out about 10 inches and tie the arms with rope to hold from moving back out and remove the end cap from the awning tube
Drill a 1/4" hole in the cup edge that sides on the tube
This hole will give you room to drill a 1/8" hole into the cup and shaft of the motor. Insert a Roll pin in the hole and reinstall to tub. Know it's pinned

[jmfixitman]

I had the same problem, it wasn't the arms or struts. Depending on your model there may be a relay in the passenger console behind the switch panel. It's either that, the external switch if you have one, or the wiring connector on the side of the bus. I tried the motor first...

[Fishar]

Originally Posted by JML5281

I have a 2006 HR Scepter with Care Free of Colorado awnings. The main awning moter goes out but has trouble pulling in the awning. I need to pull down on the arms to help it in. My campsight neighbor tells me I need a new awning motor. I've tried WD-40 and then Silicon spray and they do not seem to help. How do I know if it is the motor? Is this something I can replace myself or is it more of a two man job?

I put a new motor on my awning and it's less powerful than the old one so don't believe your neighbor.

[Crabbyjerry]

Originally Posted by Fishar

I put a new motor on my awning and it's less powerful than the old one so don't believe your neighbor.

Does it pull the awning back in without your assistance ?

[JML5281]

Comes in very slowly and I need to help it by pulling down on the arms with the awning stick.