Hello. I have a 16' Sunchaser awning on a 05 Outback that wont retract straight. The fabric is brittle and cracked along the edges so I guess I ought to replace it soon. When I retract the awning, the roller tube goes to the aft of the camper about 1.5 inches. Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

Duncan

 

sounds to me like it was loaded up with some water while in the open position.

The arms are probably bent.

 

The arms are newer....2012 date sticker. They look straight and decent. I ended up putting a hole in the fabric cleaning it so I just ordered a new one. I 'think' that the springs weren't adjusted right when they changed the arms out.

 

Your fabric is not centered on the roller tube, if I am understanding your post. Let me clarify. When the roller tube retracts, if the fabric (canopy) is not centered on the wall of the camper, it winds to one side and has to be slid in awning rail on the camper so the arms retract straight. Otherwise it will roll to one side of the other. To fix this condition, you slide the canopy in the awning rail on the camper until everything come up in a straight line. It is a fairly common problem, fortunately not hard to fix. If that's not it, post a picture of what is happening or explain further.

Steve

 

Don't think he needs to know how to fix the old one now, Steve.

 

My thinking was if he used the same alignment, he might have the same problem. The factories often leave the tek screws out of the awning rail and the fabric can shift in the rail so it retracts out of square. Hope it all works out.

Steve

 

He knows better now! BTW.... howdy to JD. Haven't heard from you in a good while. How the kids doing? They must be at the 'helping' you stage!

 

Hey Bud! All is well, just been very busy. I work damn near everyday and these girls run us ragged with sports and school. I ordered a replacement awning from Leo's and I'll pick it up today or tomorrow. I think my problem was what Steve said. The awning had shifted on the tube. Now I get to put a new one on...Woohoo hooray for me!

Speak to you soon!

Duncan

 

If you are just doing the fabric, if you use silicon spray in the roller tube and the awning rail on your camper, it makes installing the fabric much easier. Sliding in the fabric requires feel, not brute force so as not to tear it. If it hangs, back it up a half inch and try again. My wife and I can usually do a fabric in 30-45 minutes depending on the size. if someone is helping us, it usually takes at least an hour.

If you want to watch a YouTube, I think RV Geeks fabric install is about the best one. If you are doing the entire awning with hardware, it is actually simpler as all you do is slide it in the track and bolt it up, then pull the cotter pins to release the tensioners in roller tube. Much pricier though.

Good luck,

Steve