LarryJM wrote:
robatthelake wrote:
Every Pull Down Awning that I have seen comes complete with the best locking device ever as standard equipment!
The pull down Rod is in itself the locking device!
The only thing that they forgot to include is a pair of Bungee Cords to keep it from falling off!
Insert the straight L into the accessory hole on the trailing end of the Awning Roller. bungee the Loop end to the Rafter so that it won't drop off and You are good to go!
That sounds good on the surface, but I'm not sure how effective it would be in an actual situation. The typical awning rod "L" section is only about 1" long and quite a bit smaller than the awing rail slot so there will be a lot of slop and play. I sure would want to test it out by installing it and then flipping the unroll lock and give the roller end opposite the supposed locked end some good jerks, giggles, and turns to see if the awning rod stays positioned. Also, what prevents the awning from unfurling is having the rod that is in the awing slot stick out long enough so as it rotates it jams up agains the awing arm and thus prevents the awning from rotating any more. I just don't see how what you are proposing to do is going to be that effective real world.
My awning lock consisting of a 8" 5/16" dia "BOLT" that I attached to one of the large umbrella arms and then inserted that into the tube about 4" with 6" still outside the awing tube and then secured the umbrella rod to the awning arm. Below are the pics of my homemade lock:
Larry
I have in fact tested the Original Pull Down Rod with the Ratchet Lock released! It worked fine !
We were near Catavina on the Baja when Our Awning Let go on a Brand New Rig.
Had to roll it back up by hand as the Springs inside broke along with the Pawl on the Lock/Release device.
It remained closed and tight all the way Home to Canada.
I learned this Trick from a fellow RVer who pulled over to help!
