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MCarby · 10-10-2010, 06:06 PM

I am at a nAtional Park and my awning won't retract. I can hear the motor but it is not engaging and retracting the awning. Any suggestions? Is there a way to retract it manually to get home and to a dealer?
Help- stranded in Jasper

observer · 10-10-2010, 06:28 PM

There are a couple of possibilities. I had a gear break in the drive mechanism and could not retract the awning. I have not heard of this happening too often. The other possibility is that the end cap of the awning the engages the gears has stripped out. The shaft driving the end cap just has a flat along its length and it can start free spinning in the end cap. The end cap on the opposite end is identical and I have read that others have interchanged them and were then able to drive the awning. If you have a tall motorhome the awning is high to work on but it can be done. When my gear broke I had to enlist a couple of repair men to wind up the awning and secure it to the side of the coach.

Max Hubrich · 10-10-2010, 06:44 PM

Several years ago two of us (one MH and one 5th wheel), side by side in Maine had similiar problems -simultaneously. We had both our awnings extended for several months. When we went to retract them, nothing happened. We loosened the end motor cap and water poured out of both our rigs. Then we shot Silikroil into the motor area. We then sealed the wires going into the motor with RTV (silicone).

Haven't had another problem in over three years now

.

Good luck,

MCarby · 10-10-2010, 06:55 PM

Thanks, Dennis- right you are. I Have the cap off with the gear pieces. I will check the other end.

Mike

MCarby · 10-11-2010, 09:00 PM

Thanks for the replies, folks. This is a really friendly site. I was so amazed to post and get replies so quickly.
I did get the awning to retract with the help of a friend. I removed the motor and locked it against the spring with a nail once retracted. Then I tied it down at each end on the roof and got home this afternoon. The good news, I hope, is that it was one broken gear which I should be able to replace quite easily.
Thanks again.