Community Forums

brad03ca · 02-15-2009, 01:10 AM

How do I go about increasing the tension on my slide out topper? Seems the constant wind at the Gulf has loosened it to the point where it flaps just enough to be very irritating. Thanks...Brad

RV Wizard · 02-15-2009, 01:50 AM

Brad, I'll take it that you have A&E slide out toppers installed. I do not know of your mechanical skills, so I will let you decided as to weather you can safely do this with some help from a friend.
It will take two ladders and two people comfortable with high spring tension on the roller tube to remove it, make adjustments and reinstall.
There are holes in the roller tube end cap that can be aligned with holes in the shaft of the roller tube. Once aligned, a carter pin, small screw driver or nail can be slid through the end cap holes and the shaft. This will pin any tension in the awning from moving.
Next step is to remove the bracket tube from the end cap of the roller tube.
A pair of large locking type pliers; clamped onto the end cap attachment point, will allow control to wind up the tension of the spring.
One person must hold the tube while the other has a good firm grip on the pliers, pulls the spring tension retaining pin out and rotate the spring in the direction that will turn the spring from the top, coach side, out and down to the coach side (clockwise on the front side) and counterclockwise on the rear spring.
2 to maximum 4 turns at each end. If you find one end does not have any tension you will need a torsion spring assmy.

Another way this can be done is to have the room out. Pin and take the awning tube loose, lay the awning on the roof, run the room in, wind the fabric onto the tube and reattach to brackets. Be sure to un-pin the end caps before extending the room.

If you or your helper do not feel comfortable in doing this, by all means DON'T TRY IT. This can hurt the unexperienced and I have seen the experienced injured do to a slip. Good luck and be careful.

brad03ca · 02-15-2009, 02:16 AM

OK Thanks Mike. Somehow I knew you would reply.

As the wife isn't machanically inclined, I don't have two ladders, and I do like meals regularly, I'll probably look around for some help from other campers or call someone in to fix it. I could "probably" fix it...but just when I think I can....thats when everything usually goes wrong......
Thanks Again Mike.

Chickadee · 02-15-2009, 04:07 AM

brad03ca: Were you referring to the tension on the roll out "awning", or the little roll out covers protecting the top of the slideouts?? Adjustments can be different and much simpler for the small slideout covers than for the large awning. Also, which brand do you have?? Steve