Awning lock

[Ozz]

I am near to the end of my list of Mod's and additions, the awning lock should go on today, if everything goes according to plan.
The reason for an awning lock, you might ask?
Last year we did some traveling, lots of traveling.....
We were leaving Albuquerque, heading South to Tucson in a horrible wind, it was miserable. The Tumbleweeds were 20 feet in the air. I knew we were in trouble when we saw wind socks on the highway at the Canyon intersects. I told Sue, "We're not in Kansas anymore, Dorthy"!
A lady in an SUV from Texas was waving and pointing at us, I said man, they are really friendly around here, she was about the Third person to do that. The the Duh! moment came. I told Sue, I think something is falling off our rig, so we pulled over to find the Awning ripped and blowing all over the trailer's side.
I climbed up on top and started cutting it off with my Spyderco knife, while Sue was holding the awning remains, trying to keep it from beating me to death. We got it on the ground-in the air, all over, and stuffed it into the back of the Excursion.
Oh, I contacted Dometic- A&E, they had one shipped to Island RV Repair in South Padre, and we had it installed when we got there, N/C for the awning, only a service charge of $70.00 to the grouchy old fart service guy-owner.
Here's some pictures, and the awning lock, it looks pretty nifty.
Ozz
Awning lock
http://www.awninglock.com/
Torn awning:
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...3/86bad725.jpg
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...3/a3b5be8d.jpg
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...3/c3e63071.jpg


'07 3400RL 2nd RTU
2 Golf Cart batteries 3,000 watt inverter, automatic transfer switch
Honda 2000 Generator, Maytag's with 220 Dryer
Stationary domed Sat. dish, LCD 12 Volt Amp gauge, LCD Tank Monitor
3 added 120 volt outlets, On Board Air; 12 Volt Viair 450C compressor
2006 Ford PSD 4x4 Off Road Lariat, Hadley Air Horns, Truck inverter with 110 volts: laptop, Color Backup camera, Firestone air bags,Husky air ride roller hitch, Awning lock

[richfaa]

That is a great device..but on the 3400 it will be about 10 or 11 feet off the ground..may have to get one anyhow..We have seen that happen..

Rich& Helen N.Ridgeville,Ohio.

F-350SD, Lariat, V-10,4:30 Diff, tow command Long bed, Crew Cab Dually, 06 3400RL
Mor-Ryde Pin Box

[Ozzie]

Ahh...so that is different from what I have done.

I have used a bungee cord wrapped around the top of the rail to keep the awning tied to the rig, but I suppose the wind could still get at the the awning even while fastened.
This little device will keep it from unrolling. Pretty good idea from where I sit.


327RKS

[Wrenchtraveller]

Great article and I have seen units along the road with their awnings all smashed up. I always thought they must have forgot something. I was probably wrong after reading that article.
I think I will invest in this awning lock, Thanks a bunch, Ozz

Also, I am going to PM you about an electrical problem we're having with my son's car. Take care.


Don & Donna
Vancouver Island
2005 Ford F350 V10 Lariat CC 4x4 LB SRW 11200 GVWR
2006 Montana 2955RL
click on the little pic to see a big pic

[Ozz]

I almost feel guilty for costing some of you money, but, pay a little now, save a lot later.
I learned it the hard way.
Hey, Ozzie, how did you tell me about inserting [Here] inside a link, or whatever it was?
That's cool, but I can't figure it out.
Ozz

'07 3400RL 2nd RTU
2 Golf Cart batteries 3,000 watt inverter, automatic transfer switch
Honda 2000 Generator, Maytag's with 220 Dryer
Stationary domed Sat. dish, LCD 12 Volt Amp gauge, LCD Tank Monitor
3 added 120 volt outlets, On Board Air; 12 Volt Viair 450C compressor
2006 Ford PSD 4x4 Off Road Lariat, Hadley Air Horns, Truck inverter with 110 volts: laptop, Color Backup camera, Firestone air bags,Husky air ride roller hitch, Awning lock

[Ozzie]

You mean using hyperlinks? The one like in my sig at the bottom?
Hehe...those are tricky little buggers. Kind of hard to do unless you're a real puter nerd.
I think I have something around here that 'splains it...let me look.

To get back on topic...I've looked for other devices to lock that awning down and so far this looks to be the best unit. Ozz is a good shopper...
For me it would need to be operated without going up on a ladder.
If I had to use a ladder, I would do something else like a campground strap that had the metal hook for the roller.


327RKS

[VanMan]

You don't have to be a puter nerd. Go to the top R/H corner of this page and select "FAQ". The third bullet down tells you how to do it. Just follow the instructions (exactly)!

1999 F250 SD/SC V-10 Lariat
2000 Montana Mountaineer TT 305FKS
'92 GMC Conversion Van - 350TBI
Weatherford, TX

[Ozz]

Cool. I'll try it.
The awning lock is operated by the same tool-rod that you use on the awning, so it's easy!
Ozz

'07 3400RL 2nd RTU
2 Golf Cart batteries 3,000 watt inverter, automatic transfer switch
Honda 2000 Generator, Maytag's with 220 Dryer
Stationary domed Sat. dish, LCD 12 Volt Amp gauge, LCD Tank Monitor
3 added 120 volt outlets, On Board Air; 12 Volt Viair 450C compressor
2006 Ford PSD 4x4 Off Road Lariat, Hadley Air Horns, Truck inverter with 110 volts: laptop, Color Backup camera, Firestone air bags,Husky air ride roller hitch, Awning lock

[Parrothead]

Ozz
Great find! Reading carefully the lock is engaged or disengaged with your awning wand so once installed you would not need a ladder to use it. Looks like a well made gizmo (word to use instead of thingy). And not a bad buy at 39.95 plus 3.95 shipping.
Happy trails...........................

Sue and Ed Rowe
Hemet California

2005 3400RL

2006 GMC 3500 Dually, D/A, Crew Cab, Long Bed

[Ozz]

VanMan,
Ozzie knows me too well, he has attempted to Tutor me on things like this. He is too polite to post that I have trouble with 'puters even with instructions.
I printed it out and may be brave one day and try it.
Ozz

'07 3400RL 2nd RTU
2 Golf Cart batteries 3,000 watt inverter, automatic transfer switch
Honda 2000 Generator, Maytag's with 220 Dryer
Stationary domed Sat. dish, LCD 12 Volt Amp gauge, LCD Tank Monitor
3 added 120 volt outlets, On Board Air; 12 Volt Viair 450C compressor
2006 Ford PSD 4x4 Off Road Lariat, Hadley Air Horns, Truck inverter with 110 volts: laptop, Color Backup camera, Firestone air bags,Husky air ride roller hitch, Awning lock

[Wrenchtraveller]

Ozz, thanks so much for the PM info you gave me. You were right about the stop light bulbs. It was not a filament but the two contacts had fused together. Your advice made me look their first.

I replaced all the rear lights,everything works fine now. The reason the terminals got hot and fused was possibly because we had an alarm system and a new stereo installed awhile back and the Tech guy may have had the brake pedal depressed for quite a while and the stoplights are pretty intense so maybe the heat melted the terminals a bit.

Ozz, thanks again from both my Son and I. Have a great day. Don.



Don & Donna
Vancouver Island
2005 Ford F350 V10 Lariat CC 4x4 LB SRW 11200 GVWR
2006 Montana 2955RL
click on the little pic to see a big pic

[azstar]

Ozz,

Interesting, you said, you contacted A&E and they gave you a new one at no charge? Are they admitting that they have faulty awnings out there?

We have heard of Awings coming unfurled over the years while in transit and have tried to understand how this could happen. If a person had the lock fliped into the unroll position while driving it makes sense, or if the lock failed that also makes sense. That leaves us wondering why the lock failure? Age related or Manufacture's defect?

It's hard to imagine A&E designers not making sure they have a durable lock system.

Inquiring Minds Want To Know

Happy Camping,

Steve & Nina
03 Mountaineer TT 335RLBS
2000 Dodge 2500 Quad Cab LB V10 2WD Posi. Reese HP Dual Cam
Prodigy-K&N-Mobil 1

[harleyrider]

Ozz

A big thank you on helping me spend me money.Just ordered an awning lock.I think its pretty cheap insurance on keeping your awning where it should be.Just one question on the install.I believe it says you MIGHT have to use pop rivets.Was this the case for you Ozz???The install looks pretty straight forward but the rivet thing has me wondering.

2004.5 Dodge Ram 3500 SLT Quad Cab 4x4-auto-48re
2001(bought new in March of 2004) montana 3280RL triple slide
Prodigy brake controller
color back up camera(from rvcams.com)
reese 16K slider
tire pressure monitoring system
line-x spray in bed liner
roll&lock bed cover
Yamaha generator with boost control

[Ozz]

Steve,
Don't think I didn't take everything apart! I found an aluminum cog type gear that had stripped, the wind overpowered the aluminum design and it failed.
The guy I dealt with said it shouldn't have happened. I asked him about an awning lock. he said if they deemed that necessary, it would come with one.
I will go with one.
Ozz

'07 3400RL 2nd RTU
2 Golf Cart batteries 3,000 watt inverter, automatic transfer switch
Honda 2000 Generator, Maytag's with 220 Dryer
Stationary domed Sat. dish, LCD 12 Volt Amp gauge, LCD Tank Monitor
3 added 120 volt outlets, On Board Air; 12 Volt Viair 450C compressor
2006 Ford PSD 4x4 Off Road Lariat, Hadley Air Horns, Truck inverter with 110 volts: laptop, Color Backup camera, Firestone air bags,Husky air ride roller hitch, Awning lock

[Ozz]

Harleyrider,
I had a ton of things to do today, and didn't get mine on, it's waiting for me...... I don't know at this point.
Ozz


'07 3400RL 2nd RTU
2 Golf Cart batteries 3,000 watt inverter, automatic transfer switch
Honda 2000 Generator, Maytag's with 220 Dryer
Stationary domed Sat. dish, LCD 12 Volt Amp gauge, LCD Tank Monitor
3 added 120 volt outlets, On Board Air; 12 Volt Viair 450C compressor
2006 Ford PSD 4x4 Off Road Lariat, Hadley Air Horns, Truck inverter with 110 volts: laptop, Color Backup camera, Firestone air bags,Husky air ride roller hitch, Awning lock

[richfaa]

Guess I should have read the entire article.Now that I don't have to climb up a ladder everytime we use the device we will order one. When will this spending of money end...

Rich& Helen N.Ridgeville,Ohio.

F-350SD, Lariat, V-10,4:30 Diff, tow command Long bed, Crew Cab Dually, 06 3400RL
Mor-Ryde Pin Box

[richfaa]

Do you need 1 or 2 of them for the main awning???

Rich& Helen N.Ridgeville,Ohio.

F-350SD, Lariat, V-10,4:30 Diff, tow command Long bed, Crew Cab Dually, 06 3400RL
Mor-Ryde Pin Box

[Ozzie]

By looking at the pic in that article (ok - ad), it looks to be mounted on the rear of the awning. That alone would tell me it is intended to supplement the existing mechanism on the front of the awning rather than replace it.
I would be curious to know if it can be used on the leading edge as that is where common sense would tell a person to use it.
...or even on both as Rich eluded to.


327RKS

[harleyrider]

quote:Originally posted by richfaa

Do you need 1 or 2 of them for the main awning???

Rich& Helen N.Ridgeville,Ohio.

F-350SD, Lariat, V-10,4:30 Diff, tow command Long bed, Crew Cab Dually, 06 3400RL
Mor-Ryde Pin Box

rich

I`am almost positive you only need one.It goes on the left hand side of your awning.All it really is-is a pin that goes into the awning roller to stop it from moving.You do have to drill a certain size hole threw the roller for the pin to go threw.

2004.5 Dodge Ram 3500 SLT Quad Cab 4x4-auto-48re
2001(bought new in March of 2004) montana 3280RL triple slide
Prodigy brake controller
color back up camera(from rvcams.com)
reese 16K slider
tire pressure monitoring system
line-x spray in bed liner
roll&lock bed cover
Yamaha generator with boost control

[azstar]

Ozz,
Thanks for the info. I am surprised you got the freebee given the additude of A&E. "If it was a problem we'd improve it".

After many years in the Aerospace Eng. bus. I still love the simple designs, such as this locking device. I think they have a winner.

The old "KISS" principal at work. (Keep It Simple Stupid)

Happy Camping

Steve & Nina
03 Mountaineer TT 335RLBS
2000 Dodge 2500 Quad Cab LB V10 2WD Posi. Reese HP Dual Cam
Prodigy-K&N-Mobil 1