I have a 10 ft awning on my Sundowner..1997 model..and I honestly cannot open it by myself ( very hard to lift out of cradle and unroll, sliders on the side are hard to slide also)...I was wondering if there is some kind of mantainence I should be doing to it...ie: grease, lubricate, the moving parts, "hinges" rollers..whatever moves / unrolls. If so what type of lubricant to use ....Any thoughts...?
Posted 2010-08-22 11:11 PM (#123922 - in reply to #123887) Subject: RE: awnings....
Veteran
Posts: 164 Location: Delaware
I have a 15' Carefree of Colorado that I can set up by myself in 4 minutes. My husband helps whenever he's around and it's no quicker. I did help someone put up another brand that seemed extremely hard to work. You had to actually lift the whole arm up to get the roller out of the cradle on top. Mine just locks inside the arms and pulls down. Maybe you can take it by an RV place and they can show you, something might be broke or not aligned properly on it.
Posted 2010-08-23 1:56 PM (#123946 - in reply to #123887) Subject: RE: awnings....
Veteran
Posts: 229
To Much Trouble, I have an awning like the earlier poster, but mine's an A&E I think. The only maintenance that I have done, other than cleaning the fabric, was to clean and spray silicon on the extension arms. However, a couple of weeks ago while camping, I did help a gal with the awning on her "new to her" trailer. She was on top of the trailer trying to do something with the awining. EEEEKKK. Major safety concerns. I told her to hop down and we'd figure it out. After everything was unscrewed, I gave pull at the arm and it didn't budge. For this awning, I did have to lift up and get it out of the cradle. After that it was OK. You can't get around the cradle thing or the tension of the spring, but the silicone will help make the arms slide easier.
Posted 2010-08-23 2:43 PM (#123950 - in reply to #123887) Subject: RE: awnings....
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 330 Location: northeast Texas
The trailer I wrecked had an A&E 8500. It took 2 people to put it out. Had to lift the arms, and go back and forth one at a time just alittle at a time. I hated it. New trailer has the A & E 2 Step. Takes 1 person, 2 steps, and its out.
Posted 2010-08-23 3:28 PM (#123953 - in reply to #123887) Subject: RE: awnings....
Expert
Posts: 1351 Location: Decatur, Texas
Originally written by To Much Trouble on 2010-08-21 2:44 PM
I have a 10 ft awning on my Sundowner..1997 model..and I honestly cannot open it by myself ( very hard to lift out of cradle and unroll, sliders on the side are hard to slide also)...I was wondering if there is some kind of mantainence I should be doing to it...ie: grease, lubricate, the moving parts, "hinges" rollers..whatever moves / unrolls. If so what type of lubricant to use ....Any thoughts...?
Good ol' fashion WATER. Wash the rails out. Sounds like you might have some dirt or something built up in the rails. Also make sure you losen the knob on each side before trying to pull it out, this will also cause it to bind up.
I wash mine out ever couple of months no matter if I use it or not.
Posted 2010-08-23 4:14 PM (#123955 - in reply to #123887) Subject: RE: awnings....
Expert
Posts: 3802 Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
I got a 21' A&E 8500 and I can put it up and take it down by myself all the while maneuvering a manual wheelchair, in dirt, grass, manure, etc.........
Posted 2010-08-23 5:54 PM (#123964 - in reply to #123887) Subject: RE: awnings....
Veteran
Posts: 231 Location: Illinois
OK, bushycreekranch...you just suck !!! ( just kidding) that awning sounds awsome..but a new awning is not an option at this time
I will pull it out and do a major cleaning on the tracks...it is hard to lift up outta the cradle and unrolls sluggishly...I just wasn't sure what if anything I should use to lubricate...Thanks for all the comments
Posted 2010-08-23 6:45 PM (#123965 - in reply to #123887) Subject: RE: awnings....
Veteran
Posts: 233 Location: Tennessee
In regards to being "hard to lift up out of the cradle" - I had this same problem with just one of my arms. Turns out there is an adjustment (to length) that you can make to the arm. It solved my problem.
Posted 2010-08-23 10:17 PM (#123969 - in reply to #123887) Subject: RE: awnings....
Location: Central Arkansas
LOL too much trouble. But, I did my time fighting awning arms. Since we are empty nesters, we are no longer buying them toys. But, instead, we are splurging on ours .
Posted 2010-08-24 6:33 AM (#123973 - in reply to #123969) Subject: RE: awnings....
Veteran
Posts: 231 Location: Illinois
Brilliant idea ....and if the $$$ were there, I would seriously consider replacing the awning...lifes too short to arm wrestle your awning...LOL HAPPY TRAILS TO YOU................
Posted 2010-08-30 9:56 AM (#124197 - in reply to #123887) Subject: awnings for sale
Regular
Posts: 93 Location: Newnan, GA
I am selling the two awnings on my trailer to go automatic. Best offer. Not sure how shipping would work - if anyone is local to the Atlanta GA area....
2001 model 16' 2-step awning, gray and burgundy, some pinholes
2009 model 15' A&E manual awning, white and gray. like new, needs cleaning;)
awnings....
