Forum Discussion

DraginRat's avatar
DraginRat
Explorer
Oct 23, 2014

power awning problem

I've been looking, but haven't been able to find anything near my problem.

We are buying a 2002 Holiday Rambler Imperial. Most everything on this unit works just fine, with the exception of the power awning. Pushing the switch by the entry door will cause the awning to deploy about 3 or 4 feet, and then is just slowly stops. I know absolutely nothing about power awnings, but if that is the only issue with this motor home, at the price we are paying, it is still a steal.

Anyway, the awning is not covered, (it is a consignment sale), and I will be stuck with it.

Seems like the motor(s) work just fine for a short while, and something may be out of adjustment.

Wondering if anyone out there has had similar issues with theirs, and what they did to fix it.

Thanks

Ken Gasbarri
Class A
  • EckE's avatar
    EckE
    Explorer
    Oct 23, 2014
    Make sure your chassis battery is fully charged.
  • Ivylog's avatar
    Ivylog
    Explorer III
    Oct 23, 2014
    There are several different power awnings... Girrard, Oasis, Carefree. Girrard is a lateral arm awning and most of the last two are motorized roll-up awnings. It would help to know which one you have.
  • dverstra's avatar
    dverstra
    Explorer
    Oct 23, 2014
    Ken
    Check to see if the arms are slightly bent. It can happen in a good wind. Like previously mentioned, check the batteries too.

    Also curious about the price, since I have the same year and model.
  • dougrainer's avatar
    dougrainer
    Nomad
    Oct 23, 2014
    HR, the odds are it is one of the original Dometic WeatherPro awnings. From the description, the motor is old and weak. The BAD news is, IF it is the original motor and arms, you cannot get just the motor. Dometic discontinued the style motor and arms about 10 years ago. You must purchase a complete new set of awning arms and a NEW style motor. Dometic upgraded both the Hardware(arms) and the motors after the first few years of the WeatherPro. They found the original arms and motor put too much torque on the system and would fail prematurely. If Carefree, then finding a motor also may be a problem for a 12 year old awning. Doug
  • T_bone1's avatar
    T_bone1
    Explorer II
    Oct 23, 2014
    Be sure to hold the switch down for three seconds and let go of switch and the awning should extend or retract automatically.Dont keep holding the switch!!That is the way my A&E works.
  • dougrainer's avatar
    dougrainer
    Nomad
    Oct 23, 2014
    T bone wrote:
    Be sure to hold the switch down for three seconds and let go of switch and the awning should extend or retract automatically.Dont keep holding the switch!!That is the way my A&E works.


    Holding the switch will cause no problems on the Dometic's that have the auto feature. Doug
  • koda55's avatar
    koda55
    Explorer
    Oct 23, 2014
    On ours, when you put the awning out or in it will stop a few times in either direction. We just release the switch, wait a minute, and press it again. The awning moves again for some distance and then it will stop. This mostly happens when we bring it in. Motors on these awning are weak.
  • BigSkyBob's avatar
    BigSkyBob
    Explorer
    Oct 23, 2014
    I recently fixed the same problem with my Carefree Patio awning. The 12 VDC feed to the outside connector was corroded and wouldn't pass battery voltage to the awning motor. I did a work around with a new 12 VDC feed wire and that fixed the problem. If you have a Carefree motor there are two external terminals at the motor where you can check the voltage being fed to the motor. If less than battery voltage, provided the batteries are at full charge, that could be your issue.
  • DSDP_Don's avatar
    DSDP_Don
    Explorer
    Oct 24, 2014
    DraginRat.....Near the front of the awning, just under it, there should be a cable and plug that plugs into the side of the motor home. Remove the plug and clean the terminals. Try the awning again with the coach either plugged in or the generator running.
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    Oct 24, 2014
    You may need to adjust the spring tension (yes there is a re-wind spring) however though I have done it myself.. I do not recommend you try this yourself unless you are experienced which you are not.

    ALso lubrication is your friend.. on my A&E I have a gas strut that gives me fits if I do not lube it from time to time.

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