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Old 07-17-2011, 02:19 PM   #1
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Carefree Patio Awning Opens on I-70

There I was traveling along I-70 East from Great Basin N.P. to Arches N.P. when suddenly my Carefree patio awning decides it time to open. I can understand using the wind for better gas mileage, but the wind was at my three o'clock and the wind was gusting at 40-50 knots. I guess my first mistake was I assumed that the awning incorporated some kind of catch to keep this from happening. My wrong! I initially thought I had a blown tire, but my Tire-safeguard was still showing green. My wife looked out the window to confirm it was the awning. Do you know how hard it is to try and hold the awning arm up during 40-50 knot winds? You can’t imagine! I would like to give a big “shout out” to Mark & Susie Taylor-Beauchamp for stopping to aid us with our problem. Mark is an RV repairman from Quartzsite and was extremely helpful as well as Susie and my wife Kathy who helped get control of the awning. Bottom line is I had to razor the material at the top and bottom just to be able to get the awning rails to collapse. I used two straps to tie the awning and hold it in place till I could get to Moab UT our next destination.
The irony of it all is I rarely use this awning. It’s not that great for providing shade since it’s installed so high up on the side of the coach. You can only make minor adjustments at best. Anyway, my wife and I just zip tied the awning today to try and get us back to Indiana where I can determine the extent of the damage.
Again, Susie and Mark if you read this post, I thank you again for stopping to help us out and you have my word I will pay it forward to help someone else in despair.
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Old 07-17-2011, 02:50 PM   #2
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I think they all open like that unless you get a lock

We put one of these on ours to prevent that happening. The install was easy and it is easy to operate.

Save Your RV Awning with an RV Awning Travel Lock!

Glad to hear you got some help with it.

Michelle
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Old 07-17-2011, 03:46 PM   #3
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I`m surprised you & Kathy didn`t break out your sewing machine & make another awning at the next rest area -- Bill Willard
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Old 07-17-2011, 05:25 PM   #4
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Dave & Kathy, I can tell you that this is another problem that Carefree has with there products. Most likely you will find that the end cup that the motor shaft fits into and then into the awning tube, that has a D shaped hole has failed. Carefree has designed a new motor and has been somewhat liberal with warranty, but as a company of today has not totally stood behind there products. The best way to fix it is to pin the shaft to the cup and make a permanent strap to hold the awning in place. This stuff drives me nuts, Sharon and I were just taking about the problems that we have had with our Carefree awnings and that we have had to repair everyone of ours. Just Nuts.
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Old 07-17-2011, 05:37 PM   #5
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I purchased an awning lock directly from Keith Williams down around Corpus Christie a few years ago. We had the same thing happen on a 5th wheel. For some reason side winds are notorious for getting up under an awning and billowing it out. It just keeps loosening and ratcheting it out. Mine came out about 4 feet. We stopped for fuel and DW said, "The awning is shredded." I had to borrow a step ladder from the fuel station and cut it off. Once it has unfurled in that manner it is about impossible to do anything with it. The Weather Pro seems to be able to hold up better in the side winds.

Good luck.
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Old 07-17-2011, 06:03 PM   #6
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Bill, I was not a happy camper because I know Carefree is not going to do anything about it. I'll hear "Sorry it’s out of Warranty." Don’t know if the motor or gears are stripped. I was hanging on with one arm. It lifted me right off the ground. Not impressed with Carefree. I might consider another brand of awning.
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Old 07-17-2011, 06:42 PM   #7
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Traveling with our friends there carefree awning came out on I-5 and I was behind them. We pulled over and tied it up and used gorilla tape on top to hold it. We called Carefree and as usual they were no help. I have had issues with Carefree toppers to loose on my Dip since new and when I called them they told me that they were cut to spec and that they cannot do anything.....How are they still in business ?
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Old 07-17-2011, 08:17 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Drifter View Post
Dave & Kathy, I can tell you that this is another problem that Carefree has with there products. Most likely you will find that the end cup that the motor shaft fits into and then into the awning tube, that has a D shaped hole has failed. Carefree has designed a new motor and has been somewhat liberal with warranty, but as a company of today has not totally stood behind there products. The best way to fix it is to pin the shaft to the cup and make a permanent strap to hold the awning in place. This stuff drives me nuts, Sharon and I were just taking about the problems that we have had with our Carefree awnings and that we have had to repair everyone of ours. Just Nuts.

Funny you mention this. I put out my awning to air it out yestreday and it wouldn't retract. Shaft was spinning in the end cap. Took it down and pinned it. Good thing I was home at the time. The end cap is just cheap cast aluminum. The D shaped hole is now round.

It's like you were watching me.
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Old 07-17-2011, 08:25 PM   #9
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Loranimal, For a fast and temporary fix you can exchange one end cup for other.
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Old 07-17-2011, 08:34 PM   #10
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micd----Thanks for sharing that lock. I don't think it will work on a Carefree but it will on mine. I now have a lock but it is cumbersome and this one looks simple and will do away with the problems associated with my old one. I also wrap velcro on the ends before I travel as an extra hold.

I had my awning take a fly in the middle of Nevada, same deal cross winds and no shoulder on the HWY. I was assisted by a really nice person who much to my suprised pulled in behind me in his dp. As soon as we were done he dissappeared, never got his name but I remember. I vowed then that anytime I can I will stop and aid a fellow RV'r.
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Old 07-17-2011, 08:50 PM   #11
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Quote:
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Loranimal, For a fast and temporary fix you can exchange one end cup for other.
I thought about checking that one out, but the wind was picking up and I wantd to get it back together
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Old 07-18-2011, 09:09 AM   #12
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Is there a thread that shows me how to "pin" my awning on my 08 Camelot-Carefree Eclipse?
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Old 07-18-2011, 09:15 AM   #13
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Had our Carefree open on the road last year. Tied it closed until we could get to CG and call mobile tech, who knew the problem on the phone as soon as I mentioned Carefree and opened. Had it pinned. Also, had to replace a slide topper from Carefree where the thread rottted away. Coach is 2007 and in both cases Carefree was no help at all. May be another area to ask about when purchasing a new coach.
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Old 07-18-2011, 09:34 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by loranimal View Post
Funny you mention this. I put out my awning to air it out yestreday and it wouldn't retract. Shaft was spinning in the end cap. Took it down and pinned it. Good thing I was home at the time. The end cap is just cheap cast aluminum. The D shaped hole is now round.

It's like you were watching me.
Would there be something "in there" that we need to lubricate, or is it just the components that all of a sudden gives up? We have had problems with the "not so Carefree awnings" but until now it has been the stitches in the fabric disintegrating.
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