Lock downs for awnings

[crazeevw]

Ok, so get on the phone with Zip-Dee tomorrow to order the travel latches. I have a feeling that my 21 foot patio awning is missing a center support bracket. Is there a way to know if mine should have one? I do have some sort of bracket about midways on the coach, but no arm is there. Have a feeling that I'm missing some parts, lol.
Thanks, Derek

PS, I'll get pix and post everything tomorrow. Guessing that since the patio awning hasn't been used in so long (told it was broken when I purchased moho) that some parts have gone MIA.

[ROBERT CROSS]

It took 5 seasons but I finally found the problem....

Couldn't figure out why the rear lockdown wheel wouldn't stay secured, and the fact that the awning rolled up slightly cockeyed. After loosing the lower portion of the rear support arm I noticed this...three inches off plumb was just enough.

[crazeevw]

Originally Posted by dwightdi

I use a latch pin system as a "just in case" safety.

Dwight, where did you find your latch pin system? Looks like a great idea!
Thanks, Derek

[dwightdi]

These are the pins used by many farmers. They can be found at any farm store and many hardware stores for less than $1. Mine are plated and last about 3 years before they start to rust. I have not found any cheap stainless ones yet but I think Marine stores might have them for more $'s.

[crazeevw]

Dwight, day off today, so I'll get out and start looking for the latch pins. Sure there is a Marine store close by, I'll have to think about where in my metropolitan area that a farm store would be, lol.
Thanks, Derek

[perryg114]

I have been having trouble getting my big awning to rollup properly. It will be two or three inches too far forward sometimes and you can't fasten the locking clamps with the little wheels. Last time we used it I had to mess with it for several minutes to get it to roll up right. I think the problem is that some of the screws in the awning cover where it hooks to the trailer are not there and the whole assembly moves around. Has anyone else had this problem?

Perry

[dwightdi]

Missing screws mean there is an open hole to the interior of the trailer. It is a big leak just waiting for the next rainstorm to cause big problems. Fix it immediately and use lots of sealant to make sure it does not do $'s of damage. You might also have a problem in alignment if the support arms are not in proper position as in picture above.

[STREMERZ]

Very good idea with the latch pins! I use a pair of velcro straps.

[perryg114]

These are screws in the segmented awning cover not the ones that attach the cover to the trailer. At the end of each segment there is usually a screw. I believe the screws keep the segments from sliding relative to each other parrellel to the long axis of the trailer (forward and backwards).

Perry

Originally Posted by dwightdi

Missing screws mean there is an open hole to the interior of the trailer. It is a big leak just waiting for the next rainstorm to cause big problems. Fix it immediately and use lots of sealant to make sure it does not do $'s of damage. You might also have a problem in alignment if the support arms are not in proper position as in picture above.

[Goal15]

Perry

funny you should mention that, we had the same problem this weekend. had to roll and unroll several times before it would wind up tight enough to be able to do the latch... i think it might have been because when i unlatched the second arm, it rolled up itself and did it sort of cockeyed. Got DW to help with the remaining attempts. Gotta start carrying a small ladder so i can get up there to troubleshoot, my awning hook is getting weary.

[perryg114]

Those 2 step plastic step stools work pretty well for getting to the tie down clamps unless you are short. I have a collapsable ladder that I took this last trip. It makes a 6ft step ladder or 12 ft extension ladder.

Perry

[Goal15]

Am probably going to get a collapsable ladder, although we do have a two step metal step stool at the house that i might liberate, but also have a 4 foot aluminum step ladder that might do the trick as well.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by perryg114

I have been having trouble getting my big awning to rollup properly. It will be two or three inches too far forward sometimes and you can't fasten the locking clamps with the little wheels. Last time we used it I had to mess with it for several minutes to get it to roll up right. I think the problem is that some of the screws in the awning cover where it hooks to the trailer are not there and the whole assembly moves around. Has anyone else had this problem?

Perry

Originally Posted by Goal15

Perry

funny you should mention that, we had the same problem this weekend. had to roll and unroll several times before it would wind up tight enough to be able to do the latch... i think it might have been because when i unlatched the second arm, it rolled up itself and did it sort of cockeyed. Got DW to help with the remaining attempts. Gotta start carrying a small ladder so i can get up there to troubleshoot, my awning hook is getting weary.

Perry,goal

Thats exactly the problem I had, post 22, it went up like a cockeyed window shade.

The rear arm was not plumb, on ours it follows the rivet line and should come straight down from the end of the awning. You can see in the picture it was off by about 3in. I removed the lower pin and moved the bracket using the forward mount hole and drilling two new ones. I replaced the phillips head wood screws with stainless hex.

If the awnings rolling towards the front, with a wide space at the rear roller end cap it could be the rear arm, if it's the other way around, then the front arm may be the cause.

Bob

[perryg114]

I will look at that. The awning is not in that good of shape and that may cause it to not roll up properly. At some point I am going to have to put in some new canvas.

Perry