Awning arm does not release.

[SCADAMAN29325]

We were shown how to use the awning several times, but now one arm is not releasing to be able to roll out.

I've also watched a few videos and had a couple of seasoned campers stop by that saw my struggle.

I unscrewed the knob a few turns on each arm, released the side latches and released the top latch. When I pull the lanyard, the right side (with the top latch) will pull out about 6 inches, but the other arm is stuck and puts it in a bind.

The right arm with the top latch is free to move, but the other arm is stuck in the latched position. Climbed on top grabbed the stuck arm and pulled/yanked/pushed and it will not budge.

It's a Carefree, one of the passers-by has the same awning and showed me how his works and tried mine, but it didn't work for him either.

I now have it latched and stowed for travel, but perturbed I can't use our awning.

Any help out there for my awning situation is much appreciated!

Thanks!

[CharlesinGA]

When you pull the awning out, pull it all the way, and the roller will be so low you have to do the Jamaican Limbo to get under it. Then raise the rafters all the way up to the top until they latch in place, then pull hard on the arm up near the roller to tighten the fabric, and while holding it, tighten the screw knob in the middle of the rafter. After doing both of them, lastly extend the arms out as high as you want it, making them a bit uneven to drain dew or rainwater.

Charles

[CharlesinGA]

Z-Peller wrote:
Start by opening clips on arms, then loosening knobs on arms, then release the roller with your rod, then pull lanyard out a few inches so roller unwinds slightly which will release tension, then give a good yank up on the lever on the bottom of each arm and the arm will come out of the designed notch at the top, and awning is now ready to pull rest of the way out……when putting awning away, let the last few inches go, so the arms slam hard and drop into the notch at the top, then you know the arms are locked in place.
Many awnings come open on the road because people don’t know those arms have a locking notch at the top and think it is just the roller tension holding it from deploying….Once you get your routine you will find it quite simple to do.

I was reading this and thinking, hey, thats exactly how I have to do the A&E 8500 on my 2008 Bigfoot 21RB" and then I looked and sure enough you have a Bigfoot also. Not All A&E8500's lock at the top like mine and yours, I had a Thor with a straight armed A&E8500 and it didn't do that.

Even with the notch mine locks into on top, I installed a RVAwning lock, which took fabrication of a couple of special pieces. I guess I am kinda a belt and suspenders guy. My mods are all posted on the BOCI site.

Charles

[SCADAMAN29325]

Z-Peller wrote:
...then give a good yank up on the lever on the bottom of each arm and the arm will come out of the designed notch at the top...

How about a good whack with a hammer on the adjustment peg right here:


It popped loose at the top and tada:


Thank yall so much! Now I need to do some cleaning. :B
I think we might take the grandkids boondocking for a day or two while they are on spring break next week.
(BTW, LuBaby should of had the video going when I tried to put it in carport mode. I almost got my head chopped off...)

Thanks again, Phil and LuAnn

[Martyn]

I had a similar problem with my last trailer. In order to release the offending arm I would detach it at the bottom and lift it up a bit. That released the top and I then reattached the bottom and all was well. Did that every trip for about 11 years!

[Z-Peller]

Start by opening clips on arms, then loosening knobs on arms, then release the roller with your rod, then pull lanyard out a few inches so roller unwinds slightly which will release tension, then give a good yank up on the lever on the bottom of each arm and the arm will come out of the designed notch at the top, and awning is now ready to pull rest of the way out……when putting awning away, let the last few inches go, so the arms slam hard and drop into the notch at the top, then you know the arms are locked in place.
Many awnings come open on the road because people don’t know those arms have a locking notch at the top and think it is just the roller tension holding it from deploying….Once you get your routine you will find it quite simple to do.

[SCADAMAN29325]

Thanks all. I'll wait till I return home to mess with it. I don't want to create an emergency out on the road.

BTW, yes, it's manual. From the info above I do feel like I can resolve the issue once I'm home. It's not a big deal here in Myrtle Beach State Park, there's lots of shade and no rain.

Thanks again!
Phil

[BarneyS]

wa8yxm wrote:
Snip...

Recommendation is a professional if you are not comfortable I know a good one in the Flint. MI area (Assuming she's home from her Florida office where she winters) yes she is a she. She's good though.. I know a decent dealer/service center too also near Flint.

What good is a professional service tech or dealer in Flint, MI when the OP is located in Clinton, South Carolina? :h
Barney

[wa8yxm]

Is this a manual awning? On both the "House" and Roller ends somewhere there is supposed to be a screw that keeps the fabric from sliding front to rear (or side to side depending on how you look) good chance it's not there and the fabric has "Shifted" right or left a bit.. you may need to unlatch then on the ladder get a bit..er.. violent with a pry tool to start the arm loose (Caution damage can easily result) once its' out Inspect you may need to shift the fabric a bit (Lift the roller and work it like quarter inch) then see if it lines up better.

There are also other things that can shift a bit if not properly pinned and cause mis-alignment.

Recommendation is a professional if you are not comfortable I know a good one in the Flint. MI area (Assuming she's home from her Florida office where she winters) yes she is a she. She's good though.. I know a decent dealer/service center too also near Flint.

[Dutch_12078]

If lifting up a bit on the handle on the stuck arm releases it, make sure the stop at the bottom of the arm is not damaged. I've replaced a number of damaged stops for folks that let the arm drop slightly and jam. I use nylon bushings from any good hardware store to replace them. If the old nut and bolt are badly rusted, replace them too.

[BarneyS]

Try pushing up and out at the same time. Might have to push up quite hard.
Barney

[wildtoad]

Sounds like awning arms may not be square causing the one side to jam when closed. Might try LIGHTLY tapping each side at the top with a hammer.

[opnspaces]

Mine sometimes gets jammed at the top. to fix it I have to push it to one side or the other (like front to back not in and out) and it eventually releases.