Awning operation

timmy67 · 07-08-2008, 11:36 AM

Please forgive my ignorance regarding awnings but when I have unrolled my awning should there be tension in the spring? I'm curious about it because the first time I went to roll it back up, it took 2 of us and the it didn't roll up tight. Also should there be a bunch of slack when it is extended, or should the awning be tight? My Airstream is a 1984 Soverign and I have a feeling this is the orinigal awning. Thanks in advance.

Tim

Silverhobby · 07-08-2008, 01:09 PM

Your tension springs in the ends of the roller tube may be broken or need to be re tensioned.

Jim Foster · 07-08-2008, 04:02 PM

Should pull it's self back to the closed position. Might take two to keep it from snapping back, but should not have to push it back. Get that tension right and it will be tight when in the out position.

Tom Nugler · 07-08-2008, 04:27 PM

Looks like an original Carefree Awning to me. I’ve been rolling mine up by hand for years.

It can be a real PIA at times.
The springs are probably broken off inside the tube. Mine are. The fabric has also gotten stiff and somewhat brittle so it bunches and won't roll smoothly. With all the other little problems this seems to stay at the bottom of the list.
Carefree still makes awnings but apparently not like the ones we have. This might be a place to start. http://www.carefreeofcolorado.com/rvttpa.asp?m=01020100

Good luck,
Tom.

ckeysor · 07-08-2008, 07:57 PM

My 86 Soveriegn has a Zip Dee (not care free). My spring is not as tight as I would like and I plan on re-tensioning soon. A zip dee can be tightened by taking the left head casting from the arm and spin it then put it back on. Can't remember now if you spin it counter or clockwise, but you will know if it has any tension at all because it will want to unwind on you. Attached is a picture of mine for comparison.

Jim Foster · 07-08-2008, 11:38 PM

Our '65 Caravel has a Carefree just like yours. We removed the awning to install an aluminum cover, so had to re-wind the spring. We did it by turning the arms round and round until there was enough tension to roll the awning to the closed position.

If the spring is not broken, it's an easy job.

balrgn · 07-09-2008, 04:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ckeysor

My 86 Soveriegn has a Zip Dee (not care free). My spring is not as tight as I would like and I plan on re-tensioning soon. A zip dee can be tightened by taking the left head casting from the arm and spin it then put it back on. Can't remember now if you spin it counter or clockwise, but you will know if it has any tension at all because it will want to unwind on you. Attached is a picture of mine for comparison.

Spin it clockwise facing it. Just installed a new one. It took a few adjustments to get it right

lewster · 07-09-2008, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ckeysor

My 86 Soveriegn has a Zip Dee (not care free). My spring is not as tight as I would like and I plan on re-tensioning soon. A zip dee can be tightened by taking the left head casting from the arm and spin it then put it back on. Can't remember now if you spin it counter or clockwise, but you will know if it has any tension at all because it will want to unwind on you. Attached is a picture of mine for comparison.

If I were to do a re-tension of the Zip-Dee torsion spring I WOULDN'T START BY REMOVING THE ARM FROM THE HEAD CASTING!!!!!! The spring is still under tension, and removing the bolt that holds the head casting to the rafter arm can cause major damage to YOU when it helicopters out of control!!! I've seen this happen by folks not familiar with the winding process!!!!

The preferred Z-D procedure is to remove the rafter arm....STILL ATTACHED AT THE HEAD CASTING......from the side wall of the trailer and use the arm as a lever to complete the tensioning of the spring. This gives you a safety factor AND a leveredge factor not available from a deteched head casting. Have a second person hold the fully extended awning away from the trailer so you have clearance for the arm as you wind it clockwise (as you face the awning,) and you'll be fine!