Awning pawl picture - why they open on the road

[CCBrady]

Snoking, you said it, if the person working the awning is dumb enough to place the lock paw lever in the roll out position and then drive away, then yes it can blow out. BUT, if you leave the lock lever in the roll up position and the awning isn't damaged it's not coming out. As far as the rivets go, if they are misaligned then the awning has already been damaged and needs to be repaired or replaced.

If you would like to test this, with your awning ready for travel, get you and a friend at each end of your awning and try to pull it out.

Chris

 

[SnoKing]

Kinda funny, many on this forum are the belt and spenders types, then when I point out a known problem with a very weak design, I am told that the problem is that people cause their own problems. That is true in many cases, and that is why we use both belts and spenders.



For a few minutes time to bend the lock rod, I have both on my awning.



Spend a little time on the RV.net site and you will see that this issue happens more than you think. Enough said. SNOKING

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Kinda funny, many on this forum are the belt and spenders types, then when I point out a known problem with a very weak design, I am told that the problem is that people cause their own problems. That is true in many cases, and that is why we use both belts and spenders.



For a few minutes time to bend the lock rod, I have both on my awning.



Spend a little time on the RV.net site and you will see that this issue happens more than you think. Enough said. SNOKING

HEH HEH HEH - welcome to the "club" - of those of us who discover a weakness, then a cure - and then have to fight the "armchair expert" doubters and critics! :-laf:-laf



BT,DT! :-laf:-laf:-laf

 

[DValentine]

"Belt and suspenders types"



How can you trust a man who alone trusts neither his belt nor his suspenders!

 

[RJOL]

Anyone used one of the "awning lock's". Looks simple enough. It says only 1 needed on left end (as you face the RV). Does the pin pull then stay pulled as the awning is unrolled? What about the tightness of the rerolled awning?, seems to HAVE to be in exactely the same place each time.



Thoughts?



Bob Weis



SNOKING - I understand the 90* bend to get into the "unused by the awning fabric" part of the awning track on the tube. What is the idea behind the other end with the 90* bends?



Do you also use it when the awning is unrolled? or only when it is re-rolled up for transport?



When you put your "awning lock" in place do you have to have a ladder (or equivalent) to physically get up to the awning roll in the travel position to install the lock?

I installed one of these, a few months ago. You install it by first getting your awning out, and then making sure it rolls up tight (no slop in the roll). I usually let it roll up, with the awning hook, and then let it go about 1' from the side, so it rolls the last bit tight. Then you put the lock in place and mark where the pin will hit the outer cap on the awning. Then you drill the hole in the awning cap. Once that is done you can mount the new pin, securely, and when it is engage, it will prevent the awning from unrolling. The pin goes into the awning end cap, and it had a "D" ring on the bottom. When you want to unlock it, you just use your awning hook to grab it and pull it out, and turn it 90 degrees to the slot. That holds it out.



The hole has to be in the same place every time you roll the awning up. That's why it is critical that you get it right, before you mount it. I've had to pull the awning out a couple of times, after I rolled it up, and the pin didn't match up with the hole. I just unroll it, then make sure it rolls up tightly, and that has corrected the problem and the pin fits fine. Pretty cheap insurance, for those that might be concerned about this problem, although I have never had one "bellow or unroll" while traveling in 20 years of pulling a trailer...

 

[tony597fitter]

I made an awning lock for mine a few years back.

Its pretty straightforward and costs about $10.



I used a 4" SS hose clamp and attached it to the awning roller, then I attached a hook to the SS hose clamp, then I used a piece of plastic coated chain about 4' long with another hook at the other end, then I used a small spring with another hook on the other end of the spring. That hook attachs to the awning leg holes.

I will try to get some pics when I get out to the camper.