Securing power awning while in transit

This can indeed happen if the motor's built in brake fails. When that happens, there's nothing to stop the roller from turning. Tying down the arms will not help.

There are many aftermarket solutions and a few DIY ones as well. This one looks good, and it can be released without climbing a ladder or getting on the roof.

Awning Lock

I installed 3 of the awning locks shown on travel trailers with manual awnings. On all 3 the hole and pin wound up in a different position (not lining up) each time awning was closed leaving them useless. I contacted the manufacturer several times and got no response.

Esacnj wrote:
I installed 3 of the awning locks shown on travel trailers with manual awnings. On all 3 the hole and pin wound up in a different position (not lining up) each time awning was closed leaving them useless. I contacted the manufacturer several times and got no response.

Did you offset the hole location? From the company FAQ:

The instructions for installing the RV Awning Travel Lock say that the hole in the end cap should be drilled 1/8" clockwise from the location of the pin. Why the offset?

As much as we would like it to happen, the awning will not roll up and stop at exactly the same position each time. There are simply too many variables which can effect the position, among them strap position, procedure used, temperature, moisture, wind, and spring tension.

If the hole were at the exact location where we thought or hoped the pin would be, if it were off a little bit in one direction it would not fall into place. By offsetting the hole a little bit (1/8"), the pin can usually be seated with just a gentle tug on the awning strap if off in that direction.

To summarize, the offset increases the chances that the pin will fall into the hole either directly or with a small tug on the strap.

Not saying you did it wrong. I'm considering purchasing one of these things, but if they're a problem to install...

I followed the instructions exactly. Sometimes I could force the roller by hand and get the pin to fall in but most often it would be too far off. As said, frustrating part was that I could get no response from supplier.

Esacnj wrote:
I followed the instructions exactly. Sometimes I could force the roller by hand and get the pin to fall in but most often it would be too far off. As said, frustrating part was that I could get no response from supplier.

Good to know. Thanks.

whats wrong with using the gadget that looks like a plastic chain that goes around the center of the awning and ties it to the wall.

billyboy wrote:
whats wrong with using the gadget that looks like a plastic chain that goes around the center of the awning and ties it to the wall.

Does it prevent the roller from turning? If not, it won't work.

Yes, ours did unfurl on its own. Well maybe the 50 or 60 MPH gust that hit that side might have been part of the problem. I know nothing about the electric awnings so maybe my answer doesn't apply.

I used a piece of steel rod, 3/8" I believe and bent about 5" on a right angle, that goes in the tube and the other end wraps part way around the arms.Velcro holds it firmly in place and it can be removed easily.

Not pretty but effective. My awning has the metal sungard on it.

I thought about the Awning Lock that IAMICHABOD posted but didn't have time to sit and wait for delivery while on the road. I still may do it.

My Careless power awning started to unwind one day on the interstate. The problem was the very cheap pot metal end cap stripped on the motor shaft flat spot.

Fortunately I saw it - something about checking the rear view mirrors every 7 seconds - pulled over and secured in with ropes. Later it was removed, drilled and pinned. I did find a vendor part with a double flat spot but chose to modify mine.

The awning has a metal cover and as such I believe it's fairly wind resistant to unwinding unless there is a failure like above.

However when parked and extended it has almost no wind resistance. Basically Careless junk.

drsteve wrote:

billyboy wrote:
whats wrong with using the gadget that looks like a plastic chain that goes around the center of the awning and ties it to the wall.

Does it prevent the roller from turning? If not, it won't work.

It does indeed work, it's available in black or white, and can be latched/unlatched from the ground using your standard awning rod. It also doesn't matter if the awning rolls up a bit tighter or looser, or a bit to one side or the other.

After almost losing an awing 20 years ago when a high wind coming in at about 2:00 overcame the cam mechanism and started unrolling my awning (even though the legs were locked against the side of the RV), I made a similar unit out of metal. The downside was that I had to get up on the roof to latch/unlatch it, but at least it worked. With my current RV, I bought the Camco unit, so I can now latch/unlatch it from the ground. After going through the first "near loss", I will never again drive an RV without the wrap-around type latch; it's cheap and easy insurance vs a very expensive alternative.