Awning Problem

Hello, I havent posted in a while, just reading posts and now I jave a problem.

I was getting the TT ready for the season and when I went to extend the awning it would stop after I extended it about 90%, seemed like it was binding up, thinking that it might need to be lubed or gunk might be in there (I admit I not 100% on awning knoledge) I pulled real hard and got it out all the way when I did that I heard a lound "Clank" inside the tube

Once out I can hear something rolling around the tube about 4 feet from the end and now when I go to roll it in the tension for rolling it in is about half of what it was, when I move the lever to roll the awning in it does go in and it does seem to lock just not the same tension as before

Is the spring broken?

I have a weekend trip planned for next week, less than 20 miles that does include driving on the highway, is it safe to drive until I get it fixed? Will the awning un roll driving down the road? Is there something temporarily can do to prevent the awning from unrolling?

The awning is a Dometic Sunchaser Awning and all the mechanical parts are OEM from when the TT was new, I only replaced the fabric


Thanks in advance,

Chris