Community Forums

brandss · 06-13-2021, 06:46 PM

Our slide out awnings have always sagged in the middle and wonder if there is a way to tighten the spring or tension to reduce the amount of sag. If it rains we collect a lot of water so it has become habit to pull the slides in a bit at a time to let the water run off.

Any thoughts appreciated

amosnandy · 06-13-2021, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brandss

Our slide out awnings have always sagged in the middle and wonder if there is a way to tighten the spring or tension to reduce the amount of sag. If it rains we collect a lot of water so it has become habit to pull the slides in a bit at a time to let the water run off.

Any thoughts appreciated

Yes. They can be adjusted. Sounds like maybe yours have stretched a little or the springs are not tight.

Google YouTube on how to replace the. Since your not replacing you will just want to watch the part how they loosen the locking bolts and how they put spring tension on them after replacing. You will follow the same process, just won’t be replacing the fabric. It is a 2 man job with a couple good ladders.

Teamfoxy · 06-15-2021, 05:58 AM

They can be adjusted, but you can easily get them too tight which leads to other issues.

WalkTheWalk · 06-17-2021, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brandss

Our slide out awnings have always sagged in the middle and wonder if there is a way to tighten the spring or tension to reduce the amount of sag. If it rains we collect a lot of water so it has become habit to pull the slides in a bit at a time to let the water run off.

Any thoughts appreciated

We've always used inflatable Beach balls or air mattresses.

US1 · 06-17-2021, 08:54 PM

Just saw a video yesterday on this very subject. The problem is that if you tighten the tension even more, it just makes it tighter at the ends where both are mounted solid on the slide and wall. The middle wont tighten because the long tube just flexes as it has no support. Start at around the 4:30 min mark for clarification.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rDbzNI6Bok

NXR · 06-17-2021, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by US1

Just saw a video yesterday on this very subject. The problem is that if you tighten the tension even more, it just makes it tighter at the ends where both are mounted solid on the slide and wall. The middle wont tighten because the long tube just flexes as it has no support. Start at around the 4:30 min mark for clarification.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rDbzNI6Bok

Thanks for that video. That's the exact toppers we have. And now I won't go and try to tighten the long one that sags...

Ray

Ray,IN · 06-17-2021, 09:50 PM

Before anything else, lubricate the springs. They get wet with every rain then rust prevents the coils from sliding against each other.
I use silicone spray and the tiny extension tube to spray lubricant through a hole in each end-cap once a year.
Your springs may not require adjustment after you get them moving properly.