RV Awning Canvas And Arm Alignment - How To Adjust And Fix - RV 5 Minute Tech Tips & Tricks
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 ส.ค. 2024
- I show how I fix the alignment of the RVs awning arms by adjusting the canvas fabric. This is good if the awning arms don’t align properly or the canvas or fabric doesn’t roll straight.
You can read more about RV Awning Canvas And Arm Alignment on my blog at:
www.rvhabit.com/post/rv-awnin...
• See RV Awning Repair Tape on Amazon: amzn.to/3c8rg9f
• See RV Awning Anchor Kit on Amazon: amzn.to/2zUCD6z
• See RV Awning Light Clips on Amazon: amzn.to/2W8b2rp
• See RV Awning De-Flappers on Amazon: amzn.to/2W8GaqF
• See RV Awning Rafter on Amazon: amzn.to/2Wv0RvN
You can also visit RV Habit's Amazon Page for all the great items we use at
www.amazon.com/shop/rvhabit
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
(I have no affiliation with the company or products in this video. I purchased the products and use them personally).
Visit us at www.RVHabit.com
Visit us on Instagram at / rvhabit
Visit us on Twitter at / rvhabit1
Visit us on Facebook at / rvhabit
Visit us on Pinterest at / rvhabit
Get your RV Habit Apparel and Merchandise at: bit.ly/RVHstore
Save 15% off a Harvest Host Membership: harvesthosts.refr.cc/rvhabit
Save 50% percent off campsites with Passport America: passportamerica.com/?rfsn=247...
I appreciate everyone's support to this channel. Please subscribe, like and share this video and my blog article.
#rvawning #rvtips #rvtricks - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
I have been kicking and screaming ALL DAY trying to fix my awning and your video had it fixed in UNDER 5 MINUTES!!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH for posting this! You just saved me a bunch of time and money.
Excellent! Glad it helped.
Ya me too!
I love watching your videos. You provide simple and concise information that us nontechnical people can understand. Thank you.
So nice of you, thank you.
Great tip Lou, it’s amazing how one little screw can make a huge difference with aligning mechanism! 👍 Stay safe out there!
Thanks Tim yes a very simple fix. Be well.
Did the Blum hinges right after your video Lou. You made the wife very happy. Keep them coming.
That was still one of the best improvements i have made. Thanks for commenting.
Thanks for this video! I thought something was very wrong and was going to take it in to the shop. Worked like a charm!
Yes most people first think something is bent and needs to go to dealer. Glad this was able to help.
Love watching your channel and learning new tips. Thanks for sharing Lou and safe travels!
Thanks so much. Great to hear from you. Hope your both doing well.
You just saved me a trip to the dealer. It was windy yesterday and my awning moved around a bit and I thought something was bent. Thanks for the tip!!
Hi Frank, Great to hear!
Lou, thanks for the alignment awning trick. I had to take the tension off my 21 foot awning before I could slide it. It work great after that. Thanks again.
Hi JR, glad it worked out.
Holy cow! Like many before I'm sitting there look at my awning thinking how much is this going to cost me! After coming back 8n from boondocks I serch awning misalignment and bam first video up that actually work perfect! Thanks for posting.
Hi Andy, So glad it helped.
Nice video, short and simple. Well done, finding a screwdriver now. Took me three in out cycles to get it.
Glad you liked it!
Great information, Fixed my awning following your instructions and it worked out perfectly. "Thank You!!" The only challenge I had was there was only one screw holding one side of the fabric and the screw was hidden on the underside, covered by the fabric. Just a heads up to others.. Thank you!
Awesome. Thanks for watching.
Thanks this will save me a lot of heartache when i head bsck down to our camper Just like you said we thought something had gotten bent from wind or rain
Thanks for a great video
Your Very welcome. Happy camping.
Great tip Lou. Have the same 2801 model so far so good on mine. Thanks again.
Thanks Al. I love the 2801 well except the bed. If you haven't check out my video on Blum Hinges. It is an awesome mod for the kitchen cabinet.
Fantastic tip Lou... we have to adjust ours... glad it’s nothing serious... thanks again
Thanks Jerry. I usually have to adjust my awning once a year. Have a great weekend.
Thank you!!! Ours got knocked way out of line in the wind and i was so stressed. This was a super easy fix thanks to you. Thank you!!
Glad it helped. Happy camping.
Thank you sir for this video! I just looked up at my awning arms and noticed that they were cady wompus and found your video in less than two. Awning lined up in less than 10!
Great to hear. Thanks for taking time to comment.
Very simple, thanks so much 👍👍👍
Had this issue at the end of last season and I was worried. This has definitely put my mind at ease! GREAT VIDEO THANK YOU!!👍👍👏👏😀😀😀
I'm so glad! Thanks for watching.
Two screws in mine, but it worked perfectly. I assumed something was bent but your video great and everything works as it should now!
That's great I am glad it helped.
Worked like a charm.. thank you.
Glad it helped. Thanks for taking time to comment.
I noticed last weekend when we broke camp that my awning arms did the same thing - didn't store properly. After watching the video, I went out and moved my awning about 1/2" and BINGO... now everything lines up as it should.
I did notice there was no screw at the back of the channel, so I installed one.
Thanks for the video!
Hi Larry, so glad it helped.
Thank you so much for this video. I was afraid my rv awning was bent. What an easy fix! Even I can do it.
Excellent!
Thank you. Will give it a try.
Thank you! Easy explanation and easy repair.
You're welcome! Thanks for commenting.
Thank you so much! I had this exact same problem, a bit worse than yours and by following your instructions I'm all fixed!
Hi Gregg, Glad it helped!
Thanks you for this tip. Just took care of my issue.
hi Gary, so glad to hear it. i usually have to adjust it once a year sometimes twice. Happy camping.
I aligned our awning this past weekend. One screw and a small pull and it’s perfect again. Thanks for your tip Lou
So happy it was able to help you. Happy camping.
Your method worked the last time it happened. This time the fabric wont budge. I wonder why? Any ideas? I removed both screws as both sides were off enough to not allow it to close properly and lock.
Sounds like the awning may be stuck in the track. Try a little silicone lubricant-type spray on the track. Slow and easy, you don't want to tear the awning if it is stuck somewhere.
@@RVHabit ok, thanks! Wouldnt you know it, this trip I removed my silicone spray from my supplies because I've never used.
Murphy's Law always a factor.
Great tip lou I'm going to remember this. Hey my residential fridge died in my motorhome. I'm in Monmouth County NJ. I should have you come over and videotape the install. It should be interesting. Going to have to pass it through a window. Keeping my fingers crossed everything goes well.
Oh wow that's a big job. Also takes lots of hands on the fridge to get it out safely. Good luck let me know how it goes.
Thank you! You helped me fixed my awning :)
Glad it helped
Great tip...I will think of you when I need to do this...awesome.....appreciate it.
Thanks for watching. Yes very routine maintenance.
have had this issue for some time. was thinking it was an arm issue... great vid, thanks for the fix.
No problem 👍
Thanks for sharing!
Awesome and informant. Thank you!
Thank you Wayne
Thank you. The procedure fixed my problem.
Glad to hear it.
Thank you for video. I fixed my awning and I saved money. I have a class A motorhome.
Hi Elizabeth, Great job!
Amazing help man thank you!
Thanks so much
Wonderful I was crying all day about this! Hopefully it will fix mine as well!
I hope it works for you.
Great video! Keep up the great work. I’ll check out more videos.
Thanks so much.
Thanks I was trying to figure out why there was a gap in the awning when closed at the front. RV dealer had replaced the front arm under warranty and it hadn’t closed fully since. Will be out at the RV tomorrow adjusting. 😊
Good luck.
Thank you for this tip.
You're welcome and thanks for watching
Thank you just what I needed
Glad it helped
Great video. Thank you
Hi Doug, Glad you liked it!
Thanks much! It worked!
Hi John,
Glad it helped!
Thanks, very helpful
You're welcome!
Great tip👍
Hi Edward, Thanks 👍
Was just looking at my awning tonight and noticed this problem. I thought i was going to have to loosen the bolts on the RV arm to correct it. Thanks for the tip. cheers.
Glad it helped
Great video. Thanks
You are welcome!
Wow, thanks Lou!!!!
Exactly what I need to know. I would not have figured this out. I was thinking I had to adjust the width on the roller
Liked and subscribed, thanks again!!!!!
Hi, you're welcome and thanks for watching.
Sometimes it's the roller, sometimes the track. Observation of details will reveal the issue, but I would minimize unnecessary holes in fabric. Don't replace screw until after several test rolls in new position. It's not gonna slide unless real windy
I have the same problem. Great tip! Thanks!
Hope it helps.
Good job. It is a quick fix.
Yes thankfully it is a quick fix since I seem to have to do it every year. Thank you for watching.
Great vid, thank you.
Glad you liked it!
Just like pressing the Easy Button Lou. Great tip. Hope all is well with you. :)
Thanks, you too!
Thank you sir this help out alot.
Hi Ryan, Glad it helped
My son and I just replaced the awning on my 10 year old travel trailer. It’s not aligning just like you showed. Thought it was just old. Great video.
Thanks for sharing! Hope this helps you get it straightened out.
Thank you so much
Hope it helped.
I think the heat of the sun can tweak the canvass also. It was particularly hot today and I had the awning open. The afternoon sun is coming from the hitch end of the camper. Anyway, it got cool out very quickly and the clouds rolled in and looked like a storm. Soni went to roll the awning up and that's exactly what happened. Both sides were tweaked over to the left preventing the awning from closing all the way. I came inside to watch a video, the rep outside cooled down 10-15 degrees and I was able to close the awning as usual. I do remember having this problem once like two years ago and it mysteriously cleared itself up. My awning is pretty wide like yours to.
Absolutely, vinyl expands and contracts with the temperature. Adjusting the awning just slightly may correct your awning alignment due to the expansion and contraction.
Awesome video, have the same problem
Hope you were able to get it all fixed.
THANKS!
You're welcome!
Yep very common! This happened on our sunseeker class c about 3 times a season but the funny thing is the same awning on our Georgetown class A has never needed a single adjustment! Both coaches where purchased brand new and have the same awning... can’t figure out why the class C need an adjustment so frequently
That is funny I have a Forester, the sister RV to the Sunseeker and have to do it at least once a season. Perhaps the thickness of the actual canvas? Thanks for watching and taking time to comment.
Every service department in every RV dealership should be required to see this video.
LOL, I hope most know.
@@RVHabit mine has been sitting at the dealership for over 2 weeks. they claim the delay is getting warranty work approval not sure about that I had a water leak at my water filter and they claim they have to wait for Forest River to approve the claim. The quick fixx would be to bypass the filter and pick up the part at any hardware store. This is a brand new unit and the summer isn't getting any longer here in Minnesota!
I know your pain. Dealer service can be somewhat slow especially the summer months. It is pretty typical for them to have the RV for a month or two. I always say if it is something minor try to fix it yourself and save the frustration of not having the RV during the camping season. Hopefully you will get it back soon and save some of the season.
thanks so much
You're welcome!
I just adjusted mine and it worked perfectly. Ours is a different bolt but worked. Thanks again
Great to hear.
I have that same issue and I also noticed that the round rubber tube insert in the front bar has also moved so now it has about 3” inches of tubing sticking out and how would I feed it back into the bar
Sweet
Thanks.
Thanks for watching
My front arm (right arm) needs to move back ( to the left) a little bit. I just take the left screw out (screw furthest to the back of the rv) and pull the awning to the left? Will this make my left arm go out of alignment?
Hi. My bottom rail on my power awning is not completely folding in. In stays out about 3 inches. Can’t find a Video on this problem. What do you think?
My awning arms stick shut. The awning unrolls and I have to give a tug on each arm for them to release and for the awning to work properly. Could this be caused by a misaligned awning as well? It did get caught in one wind gust a couple years back but still worked but has progressively reached this point over time. Thank you!
Hi Jeff, it is hard to say without looking at the awning but it is certainly possible.
I don't have the screws on my awning to take out so I can move the canvas. How do I loosen to move the canvas in the track?
Hi. I have a 2018 dometic 9100 power awning. The left side moving arm closes properly over its fixed support, but the right side moving arm bends to the right in the last two feet of travel. As a result the last two feet do not fit over the right fixed support leaving a 3/8 in gap between the top of the right moving arm and its fixed support. There is no visible impact marks on the right moving arm that would indicate a cause for the right leaning bend.
Assuming this is a matter of fabric alignment with the left side aligned and the right side out of alignment to the right of the fixed channel how would you approach adjustment?
Hi Chris, There should be a holding screw at each end of the awning. Only remove the screw on the side where the correction is needed and give that a try.
What size/type of screws do I use? I have a solera awning and the screws were not put back in by the dealer.
Just a small screw that will catch the awning in the track. maybe quarter inch.
Great, question for you, there is a warning label that the awning needs to be secured before travel, but there is no means to do this, have you added anything to lock it down for traveling?
Hi Terry, I have never seen that warning label on a Dometic electric awning, maybe its something recent. As far as I understand it cannot move because the motor locks in place. My awning switch is also disabled when the ignition is on.
@@RVHabit Ok, thanks. It's on the Solera awning.
Well isn't that interesting. I'm so glad TH-cam's algorithm brought me your video. I was looking to fix a pitch arm, but I also have alignment problems so you've just saved me a whole bunch of time, and I didn't have to yell at the kids once.
Glad it worked out.
So question I have removed the screws as illustrated, I can not get the fabric to move, not even a little bit, any suggestions?
Try a little silicone spray lubricant along the track where the awning connects to trailer. Also check to make sure someone previously did not add an extra screw somewhere. Good luck.
Lou, I scrolled down to look for the question I wanted to ask but didn't see it. I was just wondering if you put the screw back in the same hole or tapped a new one for the awning adjustments?
Hi Karl, I always use the same hole unless the awning has a hole there already that would allow it to move.
@RV Habit
I went outside and Got r Done 👍🏼
It aligned exactly the way it's designed. Then we gave it a bath top to bottom so we're ready for another Mn. summer. Thank you!
Awesome. Happy Camping!
Will doing what you did on that side automatically make the other side go back into alignment as well? Do you put the screw back into the same hole?
Hi Renee, There are typically two screws, one on each side. If only one side is out of alignment you should only need to remove the one screw on the side you are correcting. If both arms are out of alignment then yes remove both screws. When you are done put the screws back in the same holes.
@@RVHabit thank you very much for your response!
Do you remove just the one screw or do you remove both screws?
usually just one will do as the awning stretches but if both bars are misaligned then both screws for sure.
Hi Lou! Here's a question I hope you can answer! I have a brand new 2021 Salem Forest River, R27. When I try to fully extend thr awning so that it's taught, it gets to juuuuuust about the end, and begins coming back in?! Is this normal? I've put it out many times & don't remember this ever happening! Help! lol Great videos BTW!
Hi Jenndron, yes that is totally normal and the way the awning operates. The motor just moves the awning tube and will continue rolling till you release button. So yes it would keep rolling back onto itself. You should release the button as soon as the tube is fully extended and the small flap from the awning hangs straight down. Happy camping.
@@RVHabit you're a rockstar! Thank you!! Sorry for all of my spelling errors! 😅 Take care and thank you!!
So do you unscrew both screws and pull or only the one side you want to pull?
Typically one side, however if both sides are misaligned then both screws should be removed to re-center the awning.
@RVHabit Thanks, apparently there was a screw missing on one side haha.
What about when alignment is fine but one side is stretched and won't fully close?
I tried and couldn’t get my awning to budge….Was the weather warm? Trying to figure out why it’s not moving. Any thoughts?
If you have a similarly mounted awning, Check the other side for another screw.
Hi my awning arm i think is leaking water on my retractable awning arm how can i fix and when it rains really hard, thunder, water comes into the bedroom under the carpet what can i fix it with? the roof has been checked and is sound and the window has been fixed i think the screw you mentioned might have a leak into the wall of the caravan thanks for any suggestions you can offer me
You need to have a certified RV technician examine your RV to find the leak. This can do serious damage in short time. Hopefully it will be something simple and just require some sealant.
@@RVHabit Thanks yes i think its simple enough the cottage roof has been inspected and seems sound. Will get someone to have a look next week carpet had a tiny bit of water but now dry
Looks like a great idea, but my awning won't budge. Can't make any progress. Carefully ran a putty knife along the seam and dislodged the bead. Then everything worked fine.
Yes they can get stuck in the track. Glad it worked out.
Its actually the roller side that has moved
No screw removal
The roller fabric can slide just like accessories being hung from roller
Just extend climb on ladder push or pull roller back or forth to align
I figured this out on my older fifth wheel with manual awning because it goes down
Alot further before you have to roll it up (no ladder )
USE A SHARPIE TO MARK LOCATION OF FABRIC TO KNOW IF IT HAS SLIPPED
before rolling up
Screw method can work but some awning tracks get full of alot of dust and may not pull
And LESS HOLES IN FABRIC
I put a low profile panhead just past each end of fabric on roller and usually remove the ones thru fabric on the track to same spots...just past on each end. This minimizes chances of tearing as fabric ages. Also I deburr the misplaced factory screw holes by sliding fabric past the hole then using locking forceps or bent nose needle nose pliers. Always check roller and track for cut hazards as well as screw type and position. I've seen sheet metal screws used by lazy factory worker eat holes in a nearly new rig just outside warranty. Buying Copart a few late model salvage units has taught a guy like me volumes about these rigs and how things end up not great whether by wreck, natural disaster, poor design, faulty materials, or bad assembly.
I tried that but the fabric would not budge on the roller tube and I was applying so much force I was worried it would rip. However removing the screw no force was needed.
Ok I understand what you are saying but there are two screws on each end of the awning. Are you suppose two take both of them out ? My left arm needs to move to the right and my right arm needs to move to the left. If I adjust one the other gets worst. Please advise
Usually, there will be enough stretch in the fabric to remove one screw at a time. Move that side to the correct position, reinstall the screw, then repeat for the other side.
@@RVHabit Thanks, I will give this a try. I think I am pretty smart, but this one stumped me !!! Thanks for the videos.
Is it weird if both sides are going opposite directions? My arms are both out toward the front and back respectively. I moved both of mine a little bit and didn't help. Please help.
I am not exactly sure what exactly you mean. You may have a broken spring inside of tube but that is a guess since i can't actually see what is happening.
Wonder if it's both sides,
Hi Patti, both sides of the awning arms can be out of alignment. Also there may be a set screw on each side of the awning rail. Good luck.
This is not the same issue I am having, my awning arms are lined up but one side will not pull all the way in, it's like the awning is longer on one side. That may not be the case but it seems that way. Could it be that the extended part of the awning needs to be adjusted?
Hi Don, is your awning older? It may be stretched on that side.
@@RVHabit 2019 and we hardly ever use the awning.
It would be hard to determine what exactly is going on without actually looking at it. I don't believe something that new would be due to stretching.
@@RVHabit I find that hard to believe myself.
Do you need to remove the screw on each side ?
If it only needs to move a little bit (which is typical) you can usually just remove the screw on the side you are pulling. If the awning needs to move more than a half inch, removing both screws is best.
RV Habit thanks. I had to do both. After up and down about 10 times on the ladder I finally got it
Yes sometimes it takes quite a few tries to get it just right. Glad it all worked out.
Did you mark the original hole from the screw or did you caulk it and make a new hole ?
No reinstall the screw in the same hole in the awning track. The screw will enter the awning in the new position preventing it from moving. The screw does not penetrate the RV in any way and no caulking is necessary.
Who else is doing this in a windstorm
Move it on the roller don't need to remove srew.