loose awning - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Ranger guy · RV-Dreams Family Member

loose awning

flyone · RV-Dreams Family Member

I would be very careful about taking anything loose on the awning--they are spring loaded and can cause fits. Can you just extend the side arms a little farther thus tighting the fabric? Awnings are notorious for flapping in the wind, get it tight and add some de-flappers or anchor it down from the front kind of streching it out. Be careful many many awnings are lost to a sudden breeze.

Flyone

Ranger guy · RV-Dreams Family Member

I tryed that but it`s like the awning needs to pulled tighter length ways because it kind of sags in the middel if you know what I mean!!

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

you need a center tension bar.....most likely when your awning is out you can see the bow.....

if your awning is manual..(not electric extended)

when putting the awning out

1. first deploy the awning out fully.....do not raise it

2. pull the upper tension bar all the way to up the roller tube,Then put downward pressure on the tube and tighten the nut on the tension bar.......then repeat this process on the other end.

3. now raise the awning to desired height......if your awning is longer than 12 ft. a center tension bar is required to take out the slack ,also awning flappers are a good investment......

I have been awakened several times at nite when the breeze has caught the side of the awning and created one awful vibration which left me in a quandary on whether to run to the bathroom , take cover or just get up and fix the awning....all this only occurs at 3 am when the temp is in the 30's and there is a very damp misty rain going on!!!!! (trust me ...first hand info...LOL)

The Bear II · RV-Dreams Family Member

It sounds like you think the end of the awning that is slid into the channel on your trailer hasn't been pulled tight enough to keep the awning from sagging in the middle. That sounds plausible to me. It's possible whoever installed it failed to pull the awning fabric tight before securing it with the set screw.
I don't think it's possible to have enough slack in the channel to cause a big sag in the center of the awning. The doohickey on the awning fabric that keeps it in the channel is stiff it holds the length and would be difficult to compress inside of the channel.

I would measure the awning fabric at the roller tube to get the exact length and then measure the fabric at the channel on the trailer to see if it's the same length. If it's a few inches shorter then you are right and it would work to take the screws out pull tight at both ends (need two people) and secure it with the screws. You'll need to drill new holes once the awning fabric is pulled tight.

I don't know if your awning has the braces that run from the channel near the top of the trailer to the roller tube to hold the awning taut. If it does, once in awhile mine will kind of vibrate loose and the awning will slack.

Ranger guy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Yes Mike that is what I do but the awning seems to dip in the middle it`s like the awning is not pulled tight length way I pulled the tension arms down with some force and still has dip in middle!

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

depending on the age of the unit.....check with the dealer under warranty or see if you have a bow in the roller bar....but at 16 ft ,I would invest in a tension bar for the center of the awning.

As bear said.....measure the fabric length at the awning bar and then measure it at the fastening rail....if the rail is shorter you could attempt to pull(stretch) it when it is warm......this is a 2 person job and could be an expensive Boo-Boo if it doesnt work out right....if this exceeds your handyman skills dont attempt it.....a new 16 foot tarp is around 700.00 and you have to add installation to that...(Ouch!)

Please google .....Awning tension bar......this will give you an Idea of what the problem is and hopefully solve the problem at the same time.

check back and keep us posted.....hope it helps

Ranger guy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Ok I looked it up and never new about them I will try the awning stop flappers first and if I still not happy with it I will let the dealer deal with it the trailer is still under factory warrenty!

Racerguy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Get one of these...it will solve your sag in the middle of the awning http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/dometic-awning-cradle-support/10924

Ranger guy · RV-Dreams Family Member

I picked up a set of de-flappers to try next time I put the awning out they are 5 inches long with a good stap if they don`t work I will let the dealer fix it !! I will let you know if they work!