Replacing entry door awning

[bevandtomH]

2014 Aspire.
The material in the powered entry door awning is showing signs of wear.
Has anyone done that themselves?
I’ve replaced all our window awnings but those are manual and pretty simple.
If so, are there any specific things I should be aware of before attempting? Besides shutting off power.
Thanks.

[brobox]

Originally Posted by bevandtomH

2014 Aspire.
The material in the powered entry door awning is showing signs of wear.
Has anyone done that themselves?
I’ve replaced all our window awnings but those are manual and pretty simple.
If so, are there any specific things I should be aware of before attempting? Besides shutting off power.
Thanks.

The door awing on my 14 was a Carefree. They had excellent "how to" on their website with good illustrations.

[bevandtomH]

Hello Chuck, mine is as well. Just was wondering about any tricks to ensure I don’t mess it up. Their website is hit or miss on stuff. I’ll check it again.
I want to replace this one then tackle the larger awning.
As many folks on here have sworn by other manufacturers for replacement, I decided to go with C Of CO. For the replacements. Sending them the serial numbers from the awning roller made it easy, no measuring and hoping I got it right. Plus, if they didn’t fit, it was on their nickel and not mine.
We got 9 years on the OEM ones.
Thanks.

[oneknight]

I've replaced the motor in a couple carefree eclipse door awnings.

The trick is to open it only until you can see the arms, then wire the arms elbows together as tightly as you can.

Have a helper hit the extend switch while you (on a ladder) make sure nothing bad happens.

The fabric will be loose and the wired arms will hold the headrail in.

Unscrew the front end cap, and you can slide the fabric out the front.

Sent from my moto z3 using iRV2 - RV Forum mobile app

[bevandtomH]

Jim, thanks for that tip!
I was wondering how to get slack into the material.
I haven’t yet located the serial number but guessing it’s still in wrapped and hiding on the roller arm somewhere.

[bevandtomH]

Just wanted to follow up.
Replacement awning is done.
Jim’s suggestion worked out perfectly.
Again, Jim, thanks for the tip!
Next job, main awning…..

[mike625]

Originally Posted by bevandtomH

Next job, main awning…..

Please take some pics. I will also need to replace one this spring or summer. I've had the one side caps off to adjust and does not look too bad to change, wonder if it is a two person job?

[bevandtomH]

Hello Mike;

All my awnings are Carefree, aren’t yours all Girard?
Glad to take photos if your’s are Carefree too.
Let me know.

[mike625]

Originally Posted by bevandtomH

they are Girard

So your pic will not match - but thanks for the offer.

[jmorse1]

Originally Posted by bevandtomH

Hello Mike;

All my awnings are Carefree, aren’t yours all Girard?
Glad to take photos if your’s are Carefree too.
Let me know.

Not Mike here...but I for one would like to see pictures and follow your progress. Many of us have older carefree awnings at about the same age as yours and are going to be looking at replacement.

Thanks!
John
2015 44b

[bevandtomH]

Hello John; I will take photos and some guidelines for replacing on the ones I’ve done so far.
Windows and entry awnings are pretty straight forward.
I will post in a few days, we are getting rain,cold, and cloudy skies in Phoenix this week. Keep you posted.

[bevandtomH]

John, and anyone with a Classic with Carefree of Colorado Awnings.
Big thanks to Jim (Oneknight) for the suggestion on how to secure the Entry Awning!

I chose to replace my awnings with Carefree of Co. Versus another brand. I know many recommend Others but I chose Carefree for two reasons; 1) as long as I had the serial numbers, any issues with the replacements would be on their nickel. 2) the originals lasted over eight years. They will still be in good shape when we sell in a few years.

Tools needed: probably two people, Phillips and #2 Square head drivers(that’s what I had securing the end caps). Wire cutter. Flat Blade screwdriver. Pliers. Maybe Silicone Spray.


Entry Awning:

1) Secure The Arms.
Person #1 will extend awning while Person #2 is on a ladder. Extend Awning as shown in photo. I used one of my favorite tools(coat hanger)…but any HD wire will do. Goal is to not have the arms move when person #1 extends the arms. They will move a bit but that is ok.

2) Extend the Arms.
Person #2, while on ladder will need to help guide the material out as Person #1 extends the arm fully. Let the excess material lay.

3) Remove Roller End Cap and Extension Arm End Plate. Remove Cast Aluminum End Piece that holds the Roller Casing and Motor in place. Let it rest in place.
Note: Try to replace screws back in the same position. There are one or two longer ones for a reason.

CAUTION: Do Not pull the Roller Casing off.

Using a Flat Blade screwdriver, open the end of the end of the Extension Arm End where the spline of the awning is. It may or may not be pinched shut allowing the material to slide out.

Note, photograph, or mark the position of how the awning material wraps around the casing. You will want to insert the new awning material on the roller the same way. Mine went back on with a 3/4 wrap over the roller.

CAUTION: do not pull on the aluminum roller casing! Best to keep one hand on the aluminum casing and use your other hand to work the material out. Not the end of the world if the casing comes off, but try not to have that happen. If the old material won’t slide out, use the silicone spray. Slowly work both ends of the material out of their respective grooves.

4) Clean out any debris. Insert the new material. Align material to have the same amount of reveal on each end(both the roller and in the extension arm). Cut any spline flush to material. Replace aluminum roller piece.
Using Pliers, pinch end of spline in the Extension Arm. Re-install both the end cap pieces.

5) Person #1 can retract the awning while Person #2 guides the material around the roller.
When material is taught, remove your coat hanger or wire. Fully retract. Run awning out and retract to ensure there are no issues.

[Mwoodofd]

Thanks for the detail Tom. I have replaced 3 of my slide toppers, and #4 will need to be done this spring, and I'm sure the door awning, like yours, will also need replaced.

[bevandtomH]

Carefree of Colorado Window Awning Replacement.
This is a lot easier than the Entry Awning.

Tools: Two Ladders, Phillips or #2 Square head screwdrivers, Flat Blade screwdriver, Pliers, Wire Cutters, Silicone Spray, Two People.

You can find the Carefree of Colorado ID sticker under the material still on the roller.

Easiest way to do this is to pull your Roller Awning out as normal and attach the tether to the clip on the coach as you normally do.
Grab the roller Tube and twist/extend/unroll it further and it will expose the C of C label. Each of your awnings have one in the same place.

Awning Material Removal:
Leave your Awning out and attached as normal.

1) Unscrew one end of the Aluminum Awning Cover that attaches to the Awning Material(the part that attaches to the coach above the window). You may have to pry the aluminum groove open a bit if it is pinched shut with a Flat Blade screwdriver.

2) Two Person part of the job:

NOTE: IT’S IMPORTANT FOR THE PERSON HOLDING THE ROLLER AWNING TO NOT LET GO. IT’S SPRING LOADED.

Have the second person twist the Roller around until the Awning Material(the part with the spline) and the groove in the Awning Arm are aligned. With the top free, the awning material should pull right out. If not, give it a spray with the silicone.

2) Install the new awning the same way. (When I pulled the old one out, I had the second one on my shoulder ready to go).
Align the new awning (top and bottom),and center left to right on the roller and roller cover.
Cut off any extra spline with cutters.
Pinch the groove end of the awning cover a bit.
Replace screw in the groove.
Attachment 383604Attachment 383605

Again, I found it easier to go back to Carefree of Colorado to order new material knowing the new material would fit perfectly.

If, for some reason the roller accidentally unloads (someone let it go), you will have to “re-roll it to load up the spring. You will know if you need to either; add a revolution, or remove one by either having slack in the material or it’s too taught and doesn’t extend down as far as before. Easy fix though.

If anyone has questions on this feel free to PM me.

Mark, IIRC, I was inspired to do this based on your replacement of the slide toppers. Thanks!

These were good DH and DW jobs or you and a friend.
Cost of replacement materials was just under $200/window or door. My labor was a bout two beers.