Awning chatters when retracting

[twindman]

When my awning is about half way up, it starts to sort of chatter. Seems like something is sticking and then jumping. I have put some silicone spray on all places that have moving parts except the actual awning itself. I am worried it is going bad or will eventually break the awning somehow.

[DQDick]

Mine does that when the humidity is high and it's the leather washers in the pistons that make the noise. I've tried a lot of things and usually it will be better for a couple of days and then it's back again. Since we put them out about every day in the summer they've made the noise hundreds of times and are still going strong. When they do it, however, you swear they're coming apart.

[sourdough]

Sounds like the pistons. The last couple of trailers, including this new one, did/do it. Never thought about the moisture but in retrospect it doesn't happen when we are here in the SW generally. When we go to FL for the winter, or this past May-July where the humidity is very high and it's wet, they start and go at it quite a bit. I've used spray silicone on the shafts and that sometimes helps but not for long. Swelling of the washers makes complete sense.

[Daryles]

Dometic recommends silicon lubricant.
It will work fine for a few days, then chatter again.
I'm thinking of trying PTFE (teflon) lubricant.

[Jamesb]

Interesting, ours starting making that same noise and thought something was going to break. I thought something was getting too tight. But, that makes sense about the piston.

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by Daryles

Dometic recommends silicon lubricant.
It will work fine for a few days, then chatter again.
I'm thinking of trying PTFE (teflon) lubricant.

I've tried the WD40 Specialist dry lube with PTFE and it does the same thing. You might try it on yours to see if it does any better.

[twindman]

Thanks everyone I'll try silicone on the piston (the one thing I didn't spray).

[RMcNeal]

I've used both Silicone Spray and PTFE Dry Lube. The dry lube seems to last a bit longer, but the "chatter" inevitably comes back after a few weeks.

[twindman]

I gave the piston a shot of silicone yesterday and the chatter went away! Yea!!! Thanks all.

[BobStack]

Just saw a video about this exact problem! They recommend lubricating but when extending the awning open it approx 10-12 inches and wait about a few minutes. This allows the piston to relax, the highest force is in the first foot or so. Once relaxed open all the way. The tech stated if you open it without the pause it causes that skipping and will eventually do damage.

[jtcurbo]

I saw a YouTube video that said you need to take your awning out a little then stop and let your pistons catch up with the pressure and when retracting do the same. Give it time to compress the air in it.

[cgeis48]

Where exactly is the lube point for the piston?

[BobStack]

Just spray the rod part that extends out, I like CRC, seems to last the longest

[rwc6114]

Isn't it interesting that the same company that has problems with their awnings is the same one that has problems with their A/C's? Sounds like they need to get some better engineers or get out of the business!

[Josh_713]

I’ve had this on occasion and it seems to come and go. Now that humidity is mentioned, that makes sense. I’m going to try the lube on the hydraulic arms.

While on the subject... anybody have issues with their awning retracting at a painfully slow speed compared to the normal speed when extending? Is this normal?

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by Josh_713

I’ve had this on occasion and it seems to come and go. Now that humidity is mentioned, that makes sense. I’m going to try the lube on the hydraulic arms.

While on the subject... anybody have issues with their awning retracting at a painfully slow speed compared to the normal speed when extending? Is this normal?

Mine is. Compared to my last trailer, seems like you could make breakfast waiting for it to come in. Seems to be no problem, just slower than molasses.

[greenportbeach]

Originally Posted by twindman

When my awning is about half way up, it starts to sort of chatter. Seems like something is sticking and then jumping. I have put some silicone spray on all places that have moving parts except the actual awning itself. I am worried it is going bad or will eventually break the awning somehow.

Ours on our 2020 3931FB are doing the same thing. The larger awning however ended up with the motor going bad and we are waiting on CW to come replace it. They should be here today as it was covered under warranty.

[Frank64]

My awning is doing the same thing with the chattering and slow speed when rolling in the awning
I will try the silicone spray and the delay opening and closing of awning

Anything to help the awning last

[Baldicon]

I wipe the exposed shaft on the pistons with vegetable oil, and it seems to last quit a while. I read that recommendation somewhere, didn't come up with it myself. Mine has done it since day one.

[Daryles]

I was using silicon about once a week. I tried PTFE (teflon) just on the strut on 8-17 and have not had a problem since.