Opening and Closing Manual Awning

[Indy_T___C]

We purchased a used 2007 Coachmen Freedom Express class C and there are no manuals or instructions as to open (extend) and close (retract) the awning. It is a manually operated type. I see no manufacturers information so I can't show the brand in this post. Can someone describe "how to" and/or advise where I can obtain a operation guide? Thanks to all who respond.

[Bordercollie]

If we have not set up and taken down the awning recently, we do some fumbling. It can be done by one person but it's easier with two (unless they are husband and wife);-)

[Foggy]

Find someone in your neighborhood who has a RV with an awning. Offer them some home made cookies and a cup of coffee to give you a demonstration. Watch them do it, then have them watch you do it to be sure you learned it right.

[IAMICHABOD]

gfbishop wrote:
Instead of purchasing awning locks, I opted for zip ties. Zip ties are a MacGyver necessity!

Being new here I guess that you have not seen all the posts on this subject, so I will cut you some slack. :B

Securing the arms of the awning WILL NOT keep an awning from unfurling.
Only securing the roller will do that,however you choose to do it.

This may help.

[gfbishop]

Instead of purchasing awning locks, I opted for zip ties. I bought a bag of about 100 white one for under $10. I just cut them off when I want to open up the awning. Much cheaper and you don't even see them. Plus I always have them on hand now. Zip ties are a MacGyver necessity!

[IAMICHABOD]

X2 on what Bordercollie said on the AWNING LOCK

I had mine billow out years ago with out damage, but it could have been a real mess. I have used this ever since without any problems. A must have.

[Bordercollie]

Make sure awning is stowed securely when you get ready to de-camp.Awnings can open up accidentally underway and billow out like a sail, that can mangle the support arms and shred the fabric. Dangerous and expensive to repair. Consider installing an awning lock device, about 50 bucks, keeps awning from unrolling:

http://awninglock.com/index.shtml

[Indy_T___C]

Thanks everyone for so many helpful replies.

[path1]

When I got mine I had a hard time remembering what to do first. I actually made a check list and had it laminated at Staples. IMO they are to much money to guess at every time.

This vid covers our type https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-3ixf32nWo

Your type might be different.

[IAMICHABOD]

All the answers are very good and if you want to see it action there is always
YOUTUBE

[navegator]

1.have rod with 90 bend handy
2.loosen two knobs on back of upright supports
3.there may be a couple of anchors on the support, one rotates and the new ones are black and you press both sides in to unlock
4. On right side of the awning tube there is a lever that engages or disengages a ratchet brake, this is flipped one way or the other with rod to disengage the brake.
5. Take the rod and locate the pull strap, engage the rod in the loop and pull down, one side may start before the other side, unless it is still locked.
6.once the awning is out take the slide arms and slide them all the way to the end of the arm and lock with the round knob, do not over tighten then loop the pull strap around the pole, that way if you are away a good sam-aritan may save your awning if the wind picks up.

To roll the awning it is basically the reverse steps, to release the tension arms there is a small lever under the arms that move the anchor locks, that way you do not pinch you fingers.

Do not let go of the awning, use the rod to bring it up, the awning brake clutch only works when going down so that it does not roll back up, it also works the other way.

The upright arms can be detached from the side of the RV and placed on the ground, and raised.

When the awning is out, raise one side slightly, that way a small sprinkle will run of and not puddle on the awning and maybe bend the torque tube.

I hope this helps a little.

navegator

[porknbeanr]

I googled "how to open an RV awning". There are several utube videos explaining it very well.

[tenbear]

Dennis and Drew described exactly what I have to do to open my awning. Once you get it open, tighten the locking knobs.

To close it, loosen the locking knobs, move the locking clips out of the track, hook the rod into the fabric loop and get a firm grip on the awning to hold it down, then push the little lever up. It will roll itself up as you allow it to.

Good luck!

[DrewE]

Dennis M M wrote:
You should have a rod about 4 feet long somewhere with a 90 degree hook on the end. On the rolled up awning, most likely the right end there will be a lever, usually T shaped. If it is up, flip it down, or vice versa. Then there should be the loop end of a strap hanging down somewhere along the length of the awning, grab that with the hook and pull the awning down. Then you extend the arms on each end to raise the outside of the awning.

The rod could be anywhere, on the floor in the closet, under the couch, in a compartment somewhere, etc.

There are often a couple of clips on the vertical posts that need to be flipped open, too, and a couple of locking knobs as well. Loosen both or the awning won't move.

It's something that's much easier to show than to describe in words. If you can't figure it out from searching online, ask some neighbors at a campground and most likely they'll be able to show you how things work.

[Dennis_M_M]

You should have a rod about 4 feet long somewhere with a 90 degree hook on the end. On the rolled up awning, most likely the right end there will be a lever, usually T shaped. If it is up, flip it down, or vice versa. Then there should be the loop end of a strap hanging down somewhere along the length of the awning, grab that with the hook and pull the awning down. Then you extend the arms on each end to raise the outside of the awning.

The rod could be anywhere, on the floor in the closet, under the couch, in a compartment somewhere, etc.