How do I retract my RV’s power awning manually?

Dear Dave,
We know about manually retracting our slides if they fail, but what about our awnings? I worry about a motor failure. Thanks. —Forest, 2016 Forest River Windjammer 3029WS 

Dear Forest,
I had to do a double take to make sure your name was the same as your rig! The manual override for an electric awning depends on the awning brand and model. Most Forest River rigs come with the Lippert Solera awning recently. However, I’m not sure what they used back in 2016 so we will cover the three main awning manufacturers.

If your rig has lost power or power to the awning motor, you can override the system by providing a 12-volt “jump” from an external battery, even a cordless drill battery.

Lippert Solera

The least expensive of the three major brands is the Lippert Solera model. It doesn’t have many bells and whistles, like rain and wind sensors. The extension and retraction button is on the arm of the awning. The motor is in the fabric tube and the override can be accessed through a small hole in the front of what I call the “knuckle.”

Manual override

In the event of power loss or motor failure, the awning can be extended and retracted manually. Perform the following procedure to manually retract the awning.

NOTE: This procedure may also be performed to extend or retract the awning in the event of dry camping or camping without a battery.

1. Remove the rubber grommet (Fig. 7A, below) from the drive head assembly, exposing the manual override nut on the motor. NOTE: The drive head assembly is always located on the right side of the awning as it is viewed from outside of the coach.

Here are two photos of the FR Salem we have been working on with the Solera Smart Arm Awning with the label on the arm and the plug up on the bulkhead.

2. Using a 7/16″ socket and cordless/power drill, spin the manual override nut counterclockwise to retract the awning (Fig. 8)

NOTE: A ratchet may also be used to turn the manual override nut. Using a ratchet will take a significant amount of time and should only be used if no cordless/power drill is available.

NOTE: Use caution when retracting the awning manually. The use of a step stool or ladder may be required to completely retract the awning.

3. When the awning is completely retracted, remove socket or drive device and replace the rubber grommet in the drive head assembly.

NOTE: The motor’s internal drive system prevents the awning from moving (extend or retract) on its own. If the motor is damaged or disabled, be sure to secure the awning in the retracted position with a strap around both the outer support arm and the mounted support arm before the manual override nut is released.

Carefree awning

Carefree has more than a dozen different models of awnings. Some can be manually retracted using the hex head inside the case, while others, like the Latitude, only show the power “jumping” procedure. Check your owner’s manual for the procedure for your model or look for an access plug on the motor head.

Latitude procedure

If power to the vehicle is not available, the awning can be safely retracted by jumping the motor using a 10V-14V power source such as a cordless drill battery or car battery.

NOTICE: Do not use a 110V power source for the emergency override procedure! Doing so will permanently damage the awning! Do not use the emergency override without following the directions below.

1. Remove the front cover. To remove, press on both sides of the rear cover until the front cover releases then lift the front cover off.

2. Detach the RED and BLACK wires from the cable to the motor.

3. Attach jumper wires to the motor wires.

4. Connect the other ends of the jumper leads to a 10V-14V source. If the awning moves in the wrong direction, reverse the leads. Maintain contact throughout the retraction process.

5. When the awning is closed, remove the jumper wires and attach the cable and motor wires. Be sure to match the wire colors.

6. Snap the front cover onto the rear cover. Hang the cover on the top and swing down until it clicks.

Dometic 9200 (also referred to as A&E) awning

➤ Press the push-button release and remove the RH cover.

➤ Remove the nut cap and turn the manual override nut using a 3/8″ socket wrench or electric drill driver, until the awning is retracted.

Do not over-retract the awning. Continually applying torque to a fully retracted awning could damage the motor. As a precaution, set the torque on the drill at the lowest setting that will move the awning. Note that clockwise rotation extends the awning, counterclockwise rotation retracts the awning.

Identify the brand and model

You should be able to identify the brand and model by a label on the roller tube or an arm. Once you identify that, you should be able to manually retract it in case of an emergency. Some awning manufacturers provide a hex adapter in the owner’s packet. However, most of those are lost long before you actually need them. That is why I think it is important to read the owner’s manuals, learn the operation and troubleshooting procedures, and verify what tools you might need in case of an emergency.

 You might also enjoy this from Dave 

Why does my RV’s electric awning retract only intermittently?

Dear Dave,
When I try to roll up the awning at the side of the coach, it rolls about half-way and then stops. It acts like it doesn’t have enough charge in the battery, but it is full. I’ll wait about 5 minutes and then it may finish rolling up. It will eventually roll all the way up. When rolling it out, there is no problem, only when going in. There are two 6-V Trojan batteries, 3 years old, with 13.6 volt charge; plugged into shore power. The water level is OK. —Ernie, 2006 Tiffin Allegro Bay

Read Dave’s answer.

Dave Solberg is a leading expert in the RV industry and the author of the “RV Handbook.”

Read more from Dave here. 

HAVE A QUESTION FOR DAVE?

Send your inquiries to him using the form below.

##RVDT2413