Automatic electric cord reel

[cameomike]

I have a '84 31' Limited and have streched out the electrical cable from the reel to far and it will now not retract since the spring loaded catches cannot be clicked loose by pulling on the cable sharply. What's the trick to releasing the reel to retract the cable? A pin to depress on the reel by chance?

Mike

[Inland RV Center, In]

Mike.

No such luck.

It appears that your reel has said bye bye. Airstream does not have parts for them.

Most owners remove the reel and stow the cable the old fashioned way.

Andy
inlandrv.com
airstreamparts.com

[davidz71]

I pulled mine out all the way one time and it would not release when I pulled on the cord. I held the cord in one hand and grabbed the reel with my other hand. I then pulled the reel in the direction that it spools the cable off just enough to unlock it. Maybe you will have the same luck.

[ViewRVs]

I'm with Craig. Turn the reel so the cord starts the wrong way until it releases. Keep a good hold of the reel because it'll want to spin like a wild animal. If that doesn't work, I have some of the original documentation for mine. I could scan it and post it if the manufacturer is the same.

Of course, it doesn't show the 'modification' I made to the hose reel with my Dremel tool!

[cameomike]

I'm sure there is nothing wrong with the reel since I have done this once before but have forgotten how I retracted it. I tried grabbing the reel and sharply pulling on the reel but so far no release.
I have also painted a mark on the cable as a limit for pulling it out in the future. Thanks to you for the information, I will keep trying.

Mike

[cameomike]

I did successfully free up and get the reel to retract the cable. Drilled a small hole in side of the reel, tied a small rope through the hole and wrapped the rope over the reel to sharply yank the reel. A sharp but short jerk was all it took. Released the tied rope and I was in business as the cord retracted. I painted a limit line on the cable as a guide, as to how far I could deploy the cable in the future.

Mike