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Motor7 · 01-05-2015, 04:23 PM

I have owned a few. Never had this problem, maybe someone here can figure this out. My new to me class A has a vintage 1996 18' awning. Initially I could not see the release arm, you know the one you flip with the end of the "awning wand" to release it to unwind. I discovered that it is turned inward towards the RV and very difficult to get at. Anyhoo, my question is how do I turn the end cap so that the release lever is facing out where is it supposed to be???

Gary RVRoamer · 01-05-2015, 05:03 PM

What brand of awning? A&E, Carefree, Girard, etc.?

Generally the end caps are riveted in, so you have to drill the rivet out. rotate, and then screw or rivet again.

In some brands the roller tube has more than one slot for the lower end of the awning. You could slip the awning out and into the other slot, which would change the untimate rolled-up position of the tube. But you might have to drill to open the slot of get the awning out, so maybe nothing to be gained by that method.

Grey Ghost I · 01-05-2015, 06:15 PM

Before you take anything loose on that awning, be sure to get advice from someone who works on them. There is tremendous tension stored in the rewind spring and it will bite you terribly.

Myssdragn · 01-05-2015, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grey Ghost I

Before you take anything loose on that awning, be sure to get advice from someone who works on them. There is tremendous tension stored in the rewind spring and it will bite you terribly.

X2 springs are 4 feet long and under A LOT of tension!

2003 Georgie Boy Cruisemaster-F53 Chassis towing 1998 Tracker

MikeandClaudia · 01-05-2015, 09:55 PM

My MH had the same style. I finally drilled a small hole in the arm that you move, made a loop of wire that I could grab with the awning hook, then flopped it over toward the outside, so I could pull it down. A few years later my insurance (payments) co. bought me a NEW awning and the hook was on the correct side with it.

adamfolger · 01-05-2015, 10:11 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfpM-op0dkU

How to release spring tension with locking pliers. BE CAREFUL !!! Worked for me and I've done 3 for others.

Motor7 · 01-06-2015, 07:48 AM

Thanks for the responses....I shoot a picture of it today for y'all. I have put new fabric in one and am aware they have a stout spring.

I worked on it for 3 hours yesterday after finding that one of the secondary rafter rivet holes was torn up at the top causing it to jam in the closed position. After finally getting the awning open, I drilled out the rivet, removed the rafter and cut 1" off of it. I then cut the slots back in it with a dremel and drilled new mounting holes. I had to make a rivet out of a SS bolt, washer and cotter pin.

It's all back together now, but that darn "open/close" lever jammed towards the motorhome drives me nuts.

Gary I see those rivets on the end cap and I won't touch them unless it's the only way to fix this.

Mike, a wire loop would help, but the thing is jammed against the awning rail when closed which actually keeps the top bracket from completely closing. I might cut the lever off about a half an inch and then put a wire loop on it, that way it will be free to move in both directions.

Watching the video now Adam....

Motor7 · 01-06-2015, 08:08 AM

After watching the video...Gary it looks like you were right. Release tension, drill out the 3 rivets, rotate the end cap and re-rivet. Apparently this fabric was replaced in the past and whoever did it did not set the end cap back in the proper location.

wa8yxm · 01-06-2015, 08:24 AM

On paper at least it is easier than you think...

First, the tube has 3 slots running the length of the tube, MARK the one that is vacant (The one where you hang lights or sun screens or such) with some kind of marker (a light hanger will do).

Next on the rear end of the unit is a locking method so the thing can be removed from the arms without unwinding the spring inisde it, LOCK it.

Remove the tube and then slide the fabric off (you may need to remove a screw).

Reinstall the fabric, this time using the slot that used to be vacant

Re-assemble and remove locking pin

Thats all, you have just rotated it 120 degrees.

mel s · 01-06-2015, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Motor7

I have owned a few. Never had this problem, maybe someone here can figure this out. My new to me class A has a vintage 1996 18' awning. Initially I could not see the release arm, you know the one you flip with the end of the "awning wand" to release it to unwind. I discovered that it is turned inward towards the RV and very difficult to get at. Anyhoo, my question is how do I turn the end cap so that the release lever is facing out where is it supposed to be???

Motor7
IF it's a Carefree awning this service manual my be helpful:
http://www.e-carefree.com/documentat...e%20Manual.pdf
Mel
'96 Safari (16' Carefree Fiesta awning)