Awning

[jdog]

Is an awning really needed? I rarely use mine.

[EMD360]

We use the awning to shade the refrigerator when parked in the sun, even if we don't unfurl it all the way. I read that the fridge has to work way too hard if the hot sun is baking its rear so we try to protect it from direct sunlight.

[IAMICHABOD]

Having had one unfurl I opted for the Awning Lock

It will gurantee that it wont unfurl while driveing !

[Old-Biscuit]

Francesca Knowles wrote:

Old-Biscuit wrote:

Does it lock the roller or just arm?
The intent of the awning rod being stuck in groove on roller is to keep roller from unwinding should OEM roller lock slip.

It locks the roller itself, in much the way you describe above. Here's a pic of the replacement part- it's a flexible cable sorta like a plumber's snake- being inside the arm keeps it straight. The "loop" on the end sticks out at the top and the lock lever on the roller fits inside it. See page six at This Carefree Manuals Link.

Appears that it is just a 'remote' operator for the locking lever on roller.....if the pawl/gears inside roller should break the roller can unwind and the fabric unfurl.
The awning rod on other end of roller acts as a secondary/backup lock on roller helping prevent it from unwinding and fabric unfurling should the OEM break.
The pawl just sits against a notched gear held in place by the awning spring tension......stripped/worn gear face and whirlllllllll----whap/whap/whap :B

[Francesca_Knowl]

Old-Biscuit wrote:

Does it lock the roller or just arm?
The intent of the awning rod being stuck in groove on roller is to keep roller from unwinding should OEM roller lock slip.

It locks the roller itself, in much the way you describe above. Here's a pic of the replacement part- it's a flexible cable sorta like a plumber's snake- being inside the arm keeps it straight. The "loop" on the end sticks out at the top and the lock lever on the roller fits inside it. See page six at This Carefree Manuals Link.

[Old-Biscuit]

Francesca Knowles wrote:
Great pic, Old-Biscuit!

Interestingly, that's pretty much how the "remote lock" on my Fiesta works, only the "wand" part is internal. Here's a pic of the latch/unlatch point on the awning arm.

The red arrow points down for locked position, and the arm-retaining clip visible in the picture has to be opened before one can slide up to unlock position.





Source

Does it lock the roller or just arm?
The intent of the awning rod being stuck in groove on roller is to keep roller from unwinding should OEM roller lock slip.

Seen several awnings unfurl with arms still securely latched/closed because the OEM roller lock pawl/gears broke.
Nothing more unsettling than seeing an awning fabric billowing/flapping around as rig travels down the road....except maybe a slideout creeping out :B

Fortunately neither has happened to me

[Francesca_Knowl]

Great pic, Old-Biscuit!

Interestingly, that's pretty much how the "remote lock" on my Fiesta works, only the "wand" part is internal. Here's a pic of the latch/unlatch point on the awning arm.

The red arrow points down for locked position, and the arm-retaining clip visible in the picture has to be opened before one can slide up to unlock position.





Source

[Old-Biscuit]

Credit for the idea comes from this forum and a posting with picture from 'robsouth' from a couple years ago.

He bent his rod and used it in roller by the lock lever

I didn't bend my rod, stuck it in the opposite end, slipped it behind awning arm knob and velcro wrapped it to arm

Here is his picture......

[KristinU]

Old-Biscuit wrote:

And easy effective cheap way to lock the roller is by using the awning rod.
Just stick the hooked end into the roller tube groove on the opposite end of roller lock and then strap it to the awning arm.
Roller lock plus awning in roller strapped down will prevent roller from rotating and unfurling the awning.......plus you always know where the awning rod is.

Brilliant!

[Francesca_Knowl]

Old-Biscuit wrote:

Jim Shoe wrote:
Is it needed? It depends. If you sit outside all the time, yes. If you ever plan on selling it or trading it in, yes. If, like me, you prefer to control your environment with heat or A/C inside, no.
The wind unrolled my awning once while driving down an expressway. The lock is a joke. All it locks is the arms against the side of the RV. It doesn't keep the awning cylinder from turning. My low tech solution was to drill a couple of holes in the drip molding, insert plastic tie downs thru the holes and around the awning, and cinch them up tight. If the next owner wants to use the awning, a couple of snips with scissors and its ready to unfurl, whenever it chooses. 🙂

And easy effective cheap way to lock the roller is by using the awning rod.
Just stick the hooked end into the roller tube groove on the opposite end of roller lock and then strap it to the awning arm.
Roller lock plus awning in roller strapped down will prevent roller from rotating and unfurling the awning.......plus you always know where the awning rod is.

Good idea, Old-Biscuit!

Side note:

I'm really surprised at the number of awnings out there that don't come with roller travel locks built right in.

My own Fiesta has a slider lock that CAN'T unlock the roller unless physically pushed down the arm...and one has to unlatch an adjacent piece of hardware to do that step-?

[Old-Biscuit]

Jim Shoe wrote:
Is it needed? It depends. If you sit outside all the time, yes. If you ever plan on selling it or trading it in, yes. If, like me, you prefer to control your environment with heat or A/C inside, no.
The wind unrolled my awning once while driving down an expressway. The lock is a joke. All it locks is the arms against the side of the RV. It doesn't keep the awning cylinder from turning. My low tech solution was to drill a couple of holes in the drip molding, insert plastic tie downs thru the holes and around the awning, and cinch them up tight. If the next owner wants to use the awning, a couple of snips with scissors and its ready to unfurl, whenever it chooses. 🙂

And easy effective cheap way to lock the roller is by using the awning rod.
Just stick the hooked end into the roller tube groove on the opposite end of roller lock and then strap it to the awning arm.
Roller lock plus awning in roller strapped down will prevent roller from rotating and unfurling the awning.......plus you always know where the awning rod is.

[Islandman]

We have a smaller Class C and find that the awning is very useful in good weather to allow one to sit outside and read, play games, or whatever. It's a must item in hotter sunny days, can't see ourselves cooped up inside with the airconditioning running with the curtains pulled on the sunny side when we prefer fresh air outside and the extra space that the awning provides. It's one of the first things we deploy when we are going to be in a spot for more than just a quick overnight stop.

[Snowman9000]

If our RV didn't have one, we wouldn't put it on. However our "coming soon" new MH has an electric one, and I think we will get a lot more use out of it than we do with regular ones.

[Locky]

Where will you hang your party lights??? We also cook outside and the awning is a must for keeping stuff from falling on your griddle.

[ramzfam]

I do most of our cooking outdoors...rain or shine so the awning is always out. I haven't seen very many campers that don't deploy their awnings but personal preference trumps what someone else thinks you should do every time.