Uneven awning support arms

[Pattwood]

I have a 2008 Winnebago Destination and am the original owner. I have had growing problems getting my awning to fully retract against the side of the coach.

I closely examined the awning and have found an interesting situation. Each arm is equipped with a mechanical stop that limits the travel of the inner channel inside the outer support. On my awning, the mechanical stops are set up such that the rear arm, when retracted, is actually 1.5 inches longer than the front arm. This is determined by the position of a screwed in mechanical stop mounted on the outer channel. This is the original set-up from the factory.

The awning is a A&E Sunchaser Awning with 8275000 series hardware and 8485000 series universal hardware. Has anybody else experienced this situation.

It seems to me to be a simple fix to adjust the mechanical stops to the same length but, I repeat, this is the original set up so I wonder if there is a reason for it being this way.

[1492]

Moved from Forum Technical Support

[FLman2]

Have a 2008 Latitude, the rear arm was that way when we got it. Took a while to figure it out, once that was done, it locked like its suppose to and haven't had any problems with it since.

[Jerrybo66]

Just because it's "original" doesn't guarantee it's right. It took me over a month to change the "originals" to right on my F/R toyhauler. I would equal the stops. A couple inches lower on one side isn't enough to drain water.

[rockhillmanor]

You are looking at the wrong end.

Look at the 'bottom' where the awning attaches. It is screwed into the side of the MH.

Sadly most of the older RV's it is screwed into the narrow width of the floor board of your MH. Which is particle board.

The screws become loose not real visible but just enough to when you put the arms up one will not catch because the bottom has dropped ever so slightly from the loose bolts. Pick the arm up and shoove it up and it will catch.

I am having to have mine rebolted on with a metal plate from inside the MH. Due to being caught in tornado that ripped off the awning and repair guy didn't check the bottom bolts and they had been pulled loose.

I struggled with that arm not catching for months before a mobile repair guys pointed out why.

[Trackrig]

I have seen some un-even arms that are that way on purpose. When it rains, with one side being lower, it allows the water to drain off instead of causing the awning to collapse under the weight of the water. I don't know if that's your situation.

Bill