Awning Disaster

Foggy · Joined: 05 Sep 2008 Posts: 12 Location: south alabama

I just bought a Dutchman 5th wheel and I cannot get the awning to extend. The camper is in the woods. I turned the handle and nothing? I do not know what I am doing. Do I need a ladder?

Cornbread Red · Joined: 09 Feb 2008 Posts: 60 Location: Eastern Arizona

If it's like the awning on my C, there's a knob on each of the upright arms connecting to the awning.. loosen those and make sure there's nothing latching the uprights also, then the awning should pull out and unfurl.

Chip

porscheracer · Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 3:16 pm Post subject:

I'm confused by the "turned the handle" comment. Most awnings have to be pulled out by hooking the loop on the awning with the awning lance (hook, rod).

There are probably handscrews on each upright that need to be loosened and then retightened after it's extended - as well as pins that are in the arms for length adjustment.

If it won't pull - there's a possibility that the retractor locks are not free. You may have to lubricate them and move them by hand until they free up. They are little pitchfork looking things on the ends of the awning roller.
_________________
Norm & Janet
'08 Winnebago View 24H / '09 Escape XLT AWD toad
'05 Winnebago Vectra 36RD / '03 Dakota QC 4x4 toad, or a 24' trailer with another car;
Probably somewhere in NA - or maybe on another continent.

Foggy · Joined: 05 Sep 2008 Posts: 12 Location: south alabama

Inside the 5th wheel is near the door overhead is a handle that read with arrows open and close and it give direction. On each side of the awning at the top appears to be a latch that slides. Now do I push upward to release the latch or pull downwards or what? Yall are great by the way. Rolling Eyes

Foggy · Joined: 05 Sep 2008 Posts: 12 Location: south alabama

There is a 3-way light switch-looking thing that is mounted on the ceiling by the AC. It kills power to the AC. It has a single pole double throw with Off in the middle. Is that so the AC will run ONLY if the water heater is out of commission? I was wondering.

porscheracer · Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 5:57 pm Post subject:

The handle you are referring to sounds like the TV antenna.

No idea on the switch.
_________________
Norm & Janet
'08 Winnebago View 24H / '09 Escape XLT AWD toad
'05 Winnebago Vectra 36RD / '03 Dakota QC 4x4 toad, or a 24' trailer with another car;
Probably somewhere in NA - or maybe on another continent.

Foggy · Joined: 05 Sep 2008 Posts: 12 Location: south alabama

Thanks! I didn't realize that was the antenna.

River · Joined: 13 Aug 2007 Posts: 20

I'm sorry I'm laughing, but you're in the same boat as me sometimes! These things come with the vaguest instructions. I too thought you were referring to your TV antenna.

Go to Google and search RV Awning Operation Pictorial and all of your answers will be solved!

Foggy · Joined: 05 Sep 2008 Posts: 12 Location: south alabama

I did as you sugggested and if anybody else is interested, they can go here: http://www.rverscorner.com/RV_Awning_Operation_Pictorial.html

Laughing

Merci boucoups mon ami!

Kirk · Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2008 2:17 pm Post subject:

Foggy,

Who sold you this RV? Did they not teach you how to use things? If it was a dealer, then I suggest that you return and insist that the salesperson do a walk through with you in one of the RVs on that lot.
_________________
Good travelin !................Kirk
URL: www.adventure.1tree.net
Sent via Starband, Manual Flyer dish.

Foggy · Joined: 05 Sep 2008 Posts: 12 Location: south alabama

On my mommas side twice removed Rolling Eyes