Forum Discussion

garyemunson's avatar
garyemunson
Explorer II
Jul 09, 2020

Dometic awning issue

Who else has had a problem with their Dometic power awning refusing to extend? The motor runs and the top moves out about 6" then the outward motion stops and it just begins unrolling the fabric out while staying stationary. Pulling the bottom out by hand will help the top move out also and once it is out about 18" it will finish extending on it's own (and will retract just fine). Thought it was a weak gas strut so replaced them both. Knew it was going to be a problem while removing the old struts and seeing that they were still strong. Put the new ones on (what a task!), made sure EVERY joint was lubricated and still no change. What am I missing?
Class A
  • schlep1967's avatar
    schlep1967
    Nomad
    Jul 09, 2020
    If it is anything like mine it is basically a gravity operated system. All the motor does is wind the awning onto the tube. With it all the way out take some measurements at the top of the arm measure to the awning fabric on each side. If they are not the same it could be slightly twisting your arms causing things to bind enough that gravity can't overcome the resistance.
  • ocean_bound's avatar
    ocean_bound
    Explorer II
    Jul 11, 2020
    Call the dometic and get a bumper assist kit It’s too round rubber bushings push arms out when they are retracted You get to rubber bushings and rivets I used self tapping screws instead it was easier
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    Jul 11, 2020
    IF I'm not mistaken the Dometic is like my A&E. The awning is pushed out by Gas Shocks one at each end. Sounds like one of two issues (or both)
    Lubricate, Lubricate Every joint you got (Doubtful it is a joint) But also lubricate the shaft of the gas shocks. I will NOT suggest a lube .

    Replace the gas shocks.
  • dougrainer's avatar
    dougrainer
    Nomad
    Jul 11, 2020
    wa8yxm wrote:
    IF I'm not mistaken the Dometic is like my A&E. The awning is pushed out by Gas Shocks one at each end. Sounds like one of two issues (or both)
    Lubricate, Lubricate Every joint you got (Doubtful it is a joint) But also lubricate the shaft of the gas shocks. I will NOT suggest a lube .

    Replace the gas shocks.


    Dometic and A&E are the same exact company. He already has replaced the shocks.
  • crawford's avatar
    crawford
    Explorer
    Jul 20, 2020
    It sounds like a weak motor after it starts it give up. Up top mehind motor head there is a cover follow wires down then unplug them run a direct 12 volt power source neg and pos and reverse them to go other way. I used my 20 volt battery pack off the electric drill work well for a test for me.
  • STBRetired's avatar
    STBRetired
    Explorer
    Jul 20, 2020
    Not weak motor, as the awning retracts fine. Is some kind of binding in the arms between the 6" and 18" deployed positions. I would go over every part of the arms that is touching between 6" and 18" and look for signs of rubbing. If you want to get nuts, take a vernier caliper and start comparing ID and OD of areas that touch where they bind. I would guess that some part of the arms got squeezed or bent and is creating more friction than the gas struts can overcome at that point.
  • dougrainer's avatar
    dougrainer
    Nomad
    Jul 20, 2020
    STBRetired wrote:
    Not weak motor, as the awning retracts fine. Is some kind of binding in the arms between the 6" and 18" deployed positions. I would go over every part of the arms that is touching between 6" and 18" and look for signs of rubbing. If you want to get nuts, take a vernier caliper and start comparing ID and OD of areas that touch where they bind. I would guess that some part of the arms got squeezed or bent and is creating more friction than the gas struts can overcome at that point.


    He needs the TSB arm extension rubber spring tube. There is another post recently showing where to get and the P/n. Doug

    https://forums.motorhome.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/30108359/gotomsg/30108412.cfm#30108412

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