A and E awning, left side won't release

Different setup than mine, but appreciate the update. More knowledge is better than none.

Hikerdogs wrote:
I replaced the spring and latch mechanism myself. It's a little tricky, but not difficult. The biggest concern is to make sure you carefully release all the pressure on the old springs before removing it, and carefully apply the proper amount of pressure on the new system when installing it.

The springs are smaller versions of the torsion springs on a garage door. The manual gives the proper procedure. Be sure to follow it. The last thing you want is for the springs to unwind and het hit in the head with a wrench or screw driver.

Before you order anything get the model and serial number from your current awning. Ours was on a sticker on the right side of the tube. The awning had to be completely extended to see the sticker. The people at A&E can then tell you which design spring and lock assembly you have.

If you do replace the unit yourself read the manual thoroughly before you start and have all the necessary tools readily available. The instructions for ours said the new springs needed 12 - 14 turns for the proper tension. Originally I tried 12 turns, but the awning would barely retract. I removed the spring lock rivet a second time and added another couple turns. Then it retracted smoothly without assistance.

Thank you

I replaced the spring and latch mechanism myself. It's a little tricky, but not difficult. The biggest concern is to make sure you carefully release all the pressure on the old springs before removing it, and carefully apply the proper amount of pressure on the new system when installing it.

The springs are smaller versions of the torsion springs on a garage door. The manual gives the proper procedure. Be sure to follow it. The last thing you want is for the springs to unwind and get hit in the head with a wrench or screw driver.

Before you order anything get the model and serial number from your current awning. Ours was on a sticker on the right side of the tube. The awning had to be completely extended to see the sticker. The people at A&E can then tell you which design spring and lock assembly you have.

If you do replace the unit yourself read the manual thoroughly before you start and have all the necessary tools readily available. The instructions for ours said the new springs needed 12 - 14 turns for the proper tension. Originally I tried 12 turns, but the awning would barely retract. I removed the spring lock rivet a second time and added another couple turns. Then it retracted smoothly without assistance.

"My unit is an 06 Damen Daybreak.
Your post sounds like my problem. I asked if the latch on the right side released something on the left.
Can you tell me more about the replacement mechanism. Did you replace it yourself? Was it hard or any special tools? Thanks "

No - there is only one ratchet mechanism and it is on the right side.

Hikerdogs wrote:
You didn't say what year your coach and awning are. There have been a couple different awning lock designs over the years. The older ones are more prone to sticking and refusing to unlatch.

There are 2 wind up springs (one on each end) on a shaft that runs through the center of the tube. The lock mechanism falls into a detent on the right end of the shaft. The older locks were similar to a ratchet assembly. The spike had a tendency to dig into the locking gear and stick in place. Even though you could move the exterior lever the lock sometimes wouldn't fully release. To complicate things the spring would tend to relax on the lock end of the shaft while the one on the other end stayed taught. The right end of the awning had less tension allowing it to extend easier. The left end had a tendency to bind since it had more tension.

A&E came out with a new design sometime around 2003. It had a much better locking assembly, larger diameter internal shaft, and better springs.



We replaced the original spring and lock assembly with the new design on our 2001 Winnebago Adventurer. At the time ours was still under warranty so they sent us the replacement parts at no charge.

If yours is similar in age you might be better off to replace the entire assembly. We eventually replaced our original awning when it got caught in a storm in 2008. We purchased an A&E 8500 awning from Camping World when it was on sale. It was a direct fit so no new holes were required. It also had a rain dump feature and fabric that was more sun and mildew resistant, and dried faster.

Hikerdog
My unit is an 06 Damen Daybreak.
Your post sounds like my problem. I asked if the latch on the right side released something on the left.
Can you tell me more about the replacement mechanism. Did you replace it yourself? Was it hard or any special tools? Thanks

You didn't say what year your coach and awning are. There have been a couple different awning lock designs over the years. The older ones are more prone to sticking and refusing to unlatch.

There are 2 wind up springs (one on each end) on a shaft that runs through the center of the tube. The lock mechanism falls into a detent on the right end of the shaft. The older locks were similar to a ratchet assembly. The spike had a tendency to dig into the locking gear and stick in place. Even though you could move the exterior lever the lock sometimes wouldn't fully release. To complicate things the spring would tend to relax on the lock end of the shaft while the one on the other end stayed taught. The right end of the awning had less tension allowing it to extend easier. The left end had a tendency to bind since it had more tension.

A&E came out with a new design sometime around 2003. It had a much better locking assembly, larger diameter internal shaft, and better springs.

We replaced the original spring and lock assembly with the new design on our 2001 Winnebago Adventurer. At the time ours was still under warranty so they sent us the replacement parts at no charge.

If yours is similar in age you might be better off to replace the entire assembly. We eventually replaced our original awning when it got caught in a storm in 2008. We purchased an A&E 8500 awning from Camping World when it was on sale. It was a direct fit so no new holes were required. It also had a rain dump feature and fabric that was more sun and mildew resistant, and dried faster.

The most common cause and the easiest to check/fix is exactly what old-biscuit said. If the awning shifts on the tube even a little it can cause exactly what you are seeing. When you get it extended measure the distance from the fabric to the end of the tube. It should be the same on both sides. If not have one person hold the short side while another tugs on the fabric until the sides are equal then drive a sheet metal screw (stainless is best) into the plastic cord at each end. It is often caused if you have been camping in high winds.

powderman426 wrote:

mmbyers wrote:
Has anybody ever replaced the canves thenselves? I am thinking about one with the weather cover if it will fit.

As far as I know you cannot buy the canvas with the weather protector. All I ever found was Complete new awning. If anyone knows differently, I would appreciate knowing about it.

I had the vinyl fabric on my A&E 8500 (no weather guard)replaced with acrylic fabric with a metal weather guard. It was done at Gamblers in Quartzsite.

I think Old Biscuit got it right; exactly what happened to mine, several years ago.

If the fabric shifts slightly off center on the roller tube, when the awning is retracted, it will pull awning to one side, causing the arm to jam.

Before I got mine readjusted, I found that I pulled to the left with the strap while rolling it up helped sometimes. We also had someone push to the left on one or both arms. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't. If you can, try Old-Biscuit's advice also. You might be able to fix it yourself, but remember that the springs inside are loaded, and can be KILLERS (literally). Be careful!