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path1's avatar
path1
Explorer
Mar 07, 2017

poly cord in awning question

My poly cord on my Carefree awning keeps sliding. It slides to the rear. Usually I can pull back in place with needle nose pliers. But I guess I didn't keep close enough track of it. The end of the poly cord is now about inch and 1/2 from the end. I've tried about every tool I have to get ahold of it but can't get good enough grip to pull back in place. I tried pushing from other end, but pushing the poly cord is like pushing a string, just binds up in groove.

2 questions...

1. Any idea of what tool to use to pull it with, without messing up fabric?

2 Any ideas of how to keep in place, once I get it back again? Maybe mine wasn't done right at manufacture? Mine is just lay'd in the groove, with awning material providing tension I believe. Not secured in any way that I can see other than tension of awning material and size of groove.

14 Replies

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  • CA_Traveler's avatar
    CA_Traveler
    Explorer III
    Mar 08, 2017
    Use a screw in each end of the current poly cord. Insert a short poly cord in the remaining fabric and secure it with a third screw.
  • ford_truck_guy's avatar
    ford_truck_guy
    Nomad
    Mar 08, 2017
    Take tension off the fabric, pull the awning back in the track, once in square, place a small screw threw the cord into the track... that will stop the cord from sliding again... sounds like someone missed that step when installing your awning..
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    Mar 07, 2017
    Had that issue myself.. Finally decided to say SCREW IT.. So I drilled a small hole through he canvas, Small enough not to sever the cord (I did both ends by the way) and inserted a screw Flush head type so it is "Smooth" where it joines the roller. Nothing sticks up.
  • path1's avatar
    path1
    Explorer
    Mar 07, 2017
    OP here again...Questions in the reply's shows how much I've been paying attention. I never noticed before that there are 2 poly cords little alone the sizes of them. I'm going to have to look later this week. So for now, let this thread die a natural death and I'll repost in a new thread at a later date. Even though the TT is in my back yard, my batteries are out as I'm painting some of the frame. And then more drizzle came in (Seattle).

    Thanks for all the reply's and after I get the batteries back I'll be able to open the awning and be able to answer questions in postings.

    I never knew there was so much to a poly cord. MY Mistake!

    Thanks again
  • Chris_Bryant's avatar
    Chris_Bryant
    Explorer II
    Mar 07, 2017
    Most awnings use 3/16 poly at the tube, 1/4" at the awning rail on the rig.
  • rhagfo's avatar
    rhagfo
    Explorer III
    Mar 07, 2017
    I fought awing walk for four years!! when out the awing would move in the tube end causing misalignment when rolling up.
    Well when we replace this year we made sure the cord went all the way to the end caps on front and back, problem solved!!!
  • enblethen's avatar
    enblethen
    Nomad
    Mar 07, 2017
    Could you clarify which cord? There is two on mine. One is inside the awning rail on the rig and the other is on the outside inside the roller.
    Mine has screws holding it in place at both locations. The screws on the roller end is just ouside the fabric, where as the one on the awning rail goes through the fabric.
  • doxiemom11's avatar
    doxiemom11
    Explorer II
    Mar 07, 2017
    We removed our 14' slide awning to repair it and that cord did not want to slide. When putting it back up, we sprayed the little track with silicone and it made it much easier. Getting ahold of it- tweezers? After you get it back in place, if it's like ours, the track it slides in is aluminum. Just pinch the aluminum track a little bit at each end to keep it from moving.
  • enblethen's avatar
    enblethen
    Nomad
    Mar 07, 2017
    My cord is in about one inch! There is a small screw through the fabric and cord on each end.

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