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Marlicali · 10-19-2021, 06:09 AM

Good morning. I wanted to repaint the end caps over my door because they are no longer black. I took out 3 screws from the right side and 5 from the left side of my Carefree Awning. I didn’t realize at the time that 2 of the 5 on the left side were for the motor. I was able to get the 2 screws back on the left side to reattach the motor to the cap, but now I can’t the cap on the right side back on. Now I can’t get the silver casing that the material is wrapped around to match up with a black cap on the left side. It looks as if both the cap and casing have small notches that need to match up so that the casing fits in the housing attached to the motorhome so I can get the end cap back on. The next problem is getting it retracted so I can travel. We are currently in vacation in Sevierville, TN.

YC1 · 10-19-2021, 07:49 AM

Welcome to the forum:

Download these

https://1drv.ms/u/s!Aqrv2TUdbV6xj3IL...sM68J?e=UDe4ng

I suspect you have moved the motor or the tube and it is now just a bit of out of alignment.

You may already have figured things out but it sounds like you want to hit the road.

Working on this from a ladder or the roof can be tricky and sometimes dangerous.

If you have not discovered you may be able to lift the whole assembly up away from the rv a bit, tilting it up a bit. Then slide it towards the front to remove it. Be careful, it is a bit heavier than you might expect.

You might have to cut the wires and tape them back being careful to not let them retreat into the hole.

Once you can get it on a table it is much easier and safer to work on.

If you have turned the motor so it is not back in the precise location it was it may need to be readjusted if it is like mine. This can be tricky and having the long plastic allen tool really makes things easier but it can be done with a regular one.

You really have to be careful working from a ladder. I said that I know. If you unconnect the thing it can spring outward and knock you off the ladder.

All of this is guessing without a picture.

The symptom of not opening or closing, (either way) sounds like the motor did get turned and now thinks it is at its end of travel.

Marlicali · 10-19-2021, 11:01 AM

Thank you, I will try and send a picture when I get back to the RV., we are out and about right now. I was hoping we could do it without taking it down. We are the second owner and I don’t have the tool you mentioned.

YC1 · 10-19-2021, 11:57 AM

You won't need the tool to get the job done, it is just easier. It is a standard allen wrench.

You don't have to remove it to adjust it either.

I hope the attachments are the right ones for yours. There is an excellent one on adjusting the thing.

Marlicali · 10-19-2021, 12:51 PM

This is the problem we are encountering. Because we can’t get it to fit correctly we aren’t able to screw in the right end cap.

Tha_Rooster · 10-19-2021, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marlicali

This is the problem we are encountering. Because we can’t get it to fit correctly we aren’t able to screw in the right end cap.

Looks like motor needs to go in tube further, wire sure is twisted up also.

YC1 · 10-19-2021, 06:22 PM

Definitely looks like the motor is not fully inserted into the tube.

Looks to be about 1/2 inch off.

eddndee · 10-20-2021, 12:09 AM

OMG! I was working on my awning from atop a ladder. While applying force, I slipped and my weight shifted causing the ladder and I to pitch to the side… just as we were about to pass the point of no return I was able to gain my balance and bring it back to upright.
Had it completed it’s lateral swing I would have gone over a 4ft wall and landed on a row of concrete wire mesh leaning against a wire fence. I would have been hurt badly!
Always have a secure ladder and preferably another person holding it!

YC1 · 10-20-2021, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eddndee

OMG! I was working on my awning from atop a ladder. While applying force, I slipped and my weight shifted causing the ladder and I to pitch to the side… just as we were about to pass the point of no return I was able to gain my balance and bring it back to upright.
Had it completed it’s lateral swing I would have gone over a 4ft wall and landed on a row of concrete wire mesh leaning against a wire fence. I would have been hurt badly!
Always have a secure ladder and preferably another person holding it!

I mentioned this earlier so am glad you chimed in as well.

If the awning decides to unfurl because you remove the motor it has quite a push to it. The manual states to use a rope to keep it safe. A bunjie is not safe to use.

Tha_Rooster · 10-20-2021, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YC1

I mentioned this earlier so am glad you chimed in as well.

If the awning decides to unfurl because you remove the motor it has quite a push to it. The manual states to use a rope to keep it safe. A bunjie is not safe to use.

When my awning shot out like a bat wing on the highway I used a big zip tie.

Marlicali · 10-21-2021, 12:32 PM

Good afternoon to everyone that chimed in. We were able to get the motor positioned just right into the sleeve. We’re extremely thankful
for ALL YOUR ASSISTANCE, and we didn’t have to take it off the bus. My husband will have to get on the ladder once we return home from our trip, to paint the left hand side end cap.