Awning Height

[Jeff n Susan]

Hi Folks,
We just took delivery of our new 330RL. I opened the awning over the door and it goes straight out! No downward pitch at all. The only way to adjust the pitch is to pull on the arms for rain runoff.
I am 6'2 and the awning height when it is extended is 11 feet! WOW!
Right now, I need a ladder to get to the skirt when it is extended.
So, my question is this, Is there any way to change the pitch when I extend it without moving the actual mounting rails?
Thanks!

[DutchmenSport]

Nope! I'm 5'8" and can't even reach the knob that tightens the arms in tilt position. We carry a 2 foot step ladder that we use inside, because neither of us can reach the top shelves either. I use the ladder to reach and tilt and tighten the knob on the awning arm.

Another tip, I attached 2 awning straps in the roller tube slot and when the awning unfurls i can grab the strap at each end and pull the awning down, hold the strap while I tighten the arm knobs.

I haven't figured out a better way to do it.

Add to that, we had a second awning installed over the back door on the opposite side of the trailer. I use the step ladder and awning strap method on it too.

[DadsHemi]

3160RL here and I’m 6’1 and use a step ladder I carry with use

[Theunz]

I feel like there is a separate solar system under mine it’s so high! While I love the ease of opening and closing there’s nothing else to like.

[RMcNeal]

Thanks for asking this question. I thought it was just me. Felt like an idiot and was hoping to meet someone along the road and ask if they had a solution. It seems that the thing is so high that it becomes useless unless the sun is directly overhead.
One other question...do you have to loosen the locking nut to retract it after use? I always have but was wondering if I got it where I wanted it, would it be OK to open and close it without further adjustment.

[DutchmenSport]

"do you have to loosen the locking nut to retract it after use? "

Yes, if you don't you run the risk of damaging the arm. I've forgotten a few time and mine will pop up and give at the knob. Too much tension and something has to give when rolling up. Fortunate, nothing has been damaged. But yes, the length of the arm is too short if the awning is tilted to roll up correctly. That means climbing the ladder again.

That's why we always pull the awning when we go to bed. If a wind or rain pops up over night, the last thing I want to do is crawl on a ladder in my underware!

[RMcNeal]

Thanks, DutchmenSport. I thought so. That makes the awning even less useful. We don't leave ours up at night or when not right there with it either. Don't want to run the risk of damage from a gust of wind.

[Dave W]

Unfortunately. that's life with an electric awning, or so I found out. At 6'4" I need at least a milk crate to stand on to lower ours. Oh, and you only forget once to not loosen that thumbscrew adjuster



We added a Sun Blocker to ours (https://www.carefreeofcolorado.com/p...deblocker.html) with the longer 3 foot permanent top flap which goes a long way towards increasing the shace even without zipping the bottom on. We also added the optional end flap for some more added privacy , especially when at out seasonal site which is at the end of the row, facing a road

[mhs4771]

Maybe Dometic needs to take a hint from Carefree as their awning have adjustments to provide a good pitch to shed water and doesn't need to be undone to retract.

[Fish]

I use the broom we keep in the basement to pull mine down. I can reach one side off of the entrance door steps but not the other side.

[Jeff n Susan]

On my new 330, there is no locking knobs. It seems to be all friction. I can grab the bar and pull it down to be able to shed the water, and it stays. When I retract it, it adjusts itself to the proper place to store.
I would rather have it closer to the ground and have to tighten the lock knobs than what this new design has to offer. I am seriously thinking about changing it out for another manufacturers design.

[Fish]

Originally Posted by Jeff Myers

On my new 330, there is no locking knobs. It seems to be all friction. I can grab the bar and pull it down to be able to shed the water, and it stays. When I retract it, it adjusts itself to the proper place to store.
I would rather have it closer to the ground and have to tighten the lock knobs than what this new design has to offer. I am seriously thinking about changing it out for another manufacturers design.

Do your awning arms look like this? It's what I have on mine.




I have no idea what the guy in the picture is doing with the pole.

[Creeker]

Originally Posted by Fish

I use the broom we keep in the basement to pull mine down. I can reach one side off of the entrance door steps but not the other side.

Ditto. No tension knobs on ours either. Just set it where you want it and forget it. No need to worry about loosening the knobs when retracting and doesn't matter what position its in. I think a much better design than the ones with tension knobs.

[CADman_KS]

Originally Posted by Fish

...

I have no idea what the guy in the picture is doing with the pole.

That's a manually cranked awning. He's putting it up or down...

[Jeff n Susan]

Yes, the arms are similar.
I have pulled both of them down as far as possible, (per my dealer).
My dealer also told me that to never push the arms back up. I was told if I had a need to do that, completely retract the awning and then re-deploy it. I dont know why, because it is still way to high!
It certainly helps to lower the arms a bit, but it is still so far off the ground,its crazy!

[KJDP2448]

Yes i have a 380th 11 foot high awning. I am 6'2 and still need a ladder to do everything. Still don't lower enough. Got to be better idea. Forgot have two awnings to. Funny but we bought a fold up picnic table and use an umbrella. For shade. More money spent. For what we payed for camper humm

[TBW Ventures]

The angle is not Ideal and it seems like the morning or evening sun is always an issue. As a result we purchased a shade screen that slides into the awning, I bought a shorter one that can fit in either of the awnings.

[firestation12]

Look behind the awning arm that has the 12 volt electrical wires in it. Most likely the arm closest to the camper’s front. Inside is usually the sticker with the model number. Mine is a Dometic that has a flat pitch as you described. Dometic sells a flat pitch model that they claim is to clear the slide outs. Dometic ask so sells what looks to be exactly the same when stored, but has a final extended pitch that is more desireable to me than one I have on my 2019 3700FL. Recently, I had the opportunity to camp with friends whose campers had the pitch I wanted. In closely examining their Dometic awnings, I found the awning arms and the base plate attached to the wall, were identical in all measurements. What was different that caused the awning to drop several inches, was the the placement of the pivot points on the fixed base plate and the U shaped arm that folded over it when stored. I took careful measurements of the 4 pivot points and see no problem in performing the change to mine. Looking at the swing arc of their awning, I determined that my awning could be made to perform like theirs by re-drilling and relocating the pivot points. The final day of making the change is getting close and I’ll follow up with a post to let those interested how it went. Or you can buy new arms from Dometic (basement model) and install them. Personally I think it’s easier to leave the base attached and modify the arms.

[StageCoachDriver]

That's the 'new normal' for awnings.

[amyed]

I have the straight out model also. I don't bother trying to tip with the knob. I've forgotten too often. When it rains the water pools on top until the weight forces the awning to tip and dump the water. Arm then pops back up. I'll live with it until a good fix comes by.
Ed