Thomas Travels http://thomastravels.com Thomas' Travel Blog Wed, 19 May 2010 21:48:46 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 RV Awning How To http://thomastravels.com/rv/rv-awning-how-to/ http://thomastravels.com/rv/rv-awning-how-to/#comments Sun, 02 May 2010 23:51:16 +0000 Thomas http://thomastravels.com/?p=28 The Awning Shown in the Retracted Position When TravelingAwning Is Unrolled And Ready To Be Positioned As Desired

Awning Retracted and In Desired Position

Awning Usage – Set Up – Rolling Down:

(This is based on an A&E Systems by Dometic Awning attached to a Layton by Skyline RV travel trailer, 24′)

Note:  This is only a reminder for this travel trailer and may or may not apply to your RV.  You need to check with your dealer or manufacturer on how to use yours.  This post is just a personal note to myself, and you might hurt yourself if you do not follow the instructions of your personal system.  Always have help available and follow all safety guide lines and instructions from your manufacturer.

Step 1:

Barely loosen the hand knobs (back side of rail) on both sides of the awning.

Barely loosen the black thumb knob on the rear of the rail (towards the travel trailer side)

Step 2:

Release the plastic snaps on both rails (left and right side) by gently squeezing until they are free.

Plastic Snap still locking the rails...Plastic Snap released unlocking the side bars from the main rail

Step 3:

Switch lever into Roll-Down Position with the help of the ‘helper rod’.

Switch lever into Roll-Down position with 'helper rod'.Lever in Roll-Down position

Step 4:

Gently start unrolling awning just for a few inches.

NOTE: Make sure both rails can move freely and keep awning taunt.  If the rails are not free yet, free them and/or  double check the rails.

Gently start unrolling awning making sure both rails follow. If rails don't follow, free them and doublecheck before unrolling completely!Rails are free to follow awning - if not free the rails first (sidebar stays behind main rail)

Plastic Snap is separated from the main rail - make sure both sides are like this!

Step 5:

Unroll awning completely.

Gently start unrolling awning making sure both rails follow. If rails don't follow, free them and doublecheck before unrolling completely!Awning Is Unrolled And Ready To Be Positioned As Desired

Step 6:

Slide sidebars into locking position.

The slidebars need to be slid from the bottom position inside the main rail up to the locking position.Slide the sidebars from the bottom (picture-right) to the top (picture-left) into the locking position.

Slide the sidebar all along the rail past the locking mechanism (see next picture)...Side bar is in locked position know (you hear a snap)

Step 7:

Two persons, each uses one hand lever to adjust awning to desired position, both at the same time at the same rate (keep awning parallel to trailer) slowly, gently, and smooth.

Lever in unlock position to move awning into desired position (other person does other side at the same time at the same rate in parallel).Awning Retracted And In Desired Position

Hand lever in locked position

Step 8:

Handtighten knobs for sidebars (keeps awning in place).

Handtighten the knobs of the sidebars keeps the awning in place.

That’s it, the awning is set up now.

Awning Retracted And In Desired Position

How To Roll The Awning Back Up (Retract Awning):

Step 1:

Barely loosen knobs of side bars.

Handtighten the knobs of the sidebars keeps the awning in place.

Step 2:

Two persons, each uses one hand lever to slide awning back to lowest position (home position).

Hand lever in locked positionLever in unlock position to move awning into desired position (other person does other side at the same time at the same rate in parallel).

Step 3:

Slide sidebars back to home position after releasing with grey push button (pull to unlock).

Pull gently to unlock sidebar (need to do this on both sides)Side bar is in locked position know (you hear a snap)

Slide the sidebar all along the rail past the locking mechanism (see next picture)...

Slide the sidebars from the bottom (picture-right) to the top (picture-left) into the locking position.The slidebars need to be slid from the bottom position inside the main rail up to the locking position.

Step 4:

Be careful now!

a)  Hold the Awning strap taunt!

b)  Insert helper rod.

Hold strap and insert holding rod

c)  While holding the awning strap taunt, have other person flip into roll up position.  (Careful, awning will want to roll up immediately)

Lever in Roll-Down position

d)  Gently let the awning roll up smoothly.

Step 5:

Snap in plastic snaps:

Plastic Snap released unlocking the side bars from the main railPlastic Snap still locking the rails...

Step 6:

Hand tighten the hand knobs (backside of rail).

Barely loosen the black thumb knob on the rear of the rail (towards the travel trailer side)

You are done and ready to go!

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