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Old 02-15-2021, 02:27 PM   #1
FoxFamily91
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Awnings making a lot noise

We have a 2020 Montana 3761FL (which we love), we are in FL for the winter and our awnings are making a mind boggling screaching sound when putting in and out - any thoughts on how to lubricate and with what? Should we have received any maintenance instructions (keep in mind we took possesion during COVID and did not get a proper walk-thru.
 
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Old 02-15-2021, 02:41 PM   #2
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Apart from a short shot of WD-40 on the actual moving parts (the joints), I don't do anything with my awnings. (2 of them). Sometimes they make a lot of noise opening and retracting, other times not anything at all. I've never figured it out. Maybe the outside temperature has something to do with it. I just ignore it now, but do give the moving joints a shot of WD-40 every now and then.
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Old 02-15-2021, 02:47 PM   #3
MARK A
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FoxFamily91 View Post
We have a 2020 Montana 3761FL (which we love), we are in FL for the winter and our awnings are making a mind boggling screaching sound when putting in and out - any thoughts on how to lubricate and with what? Should we have received any maintenance instructions (keep in mind we took possesion during COVID and did not get a proper walk-thru.

Silicone spray instead of WD 40 will bring less mess. Spray the gas struts when extended, and anything else that moves. Wipe off any drips.


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Old 02-15-2021, 03:51 PM   #4
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We use silicone spray on the seals on the gas struts. If it's humide you have to do it a lot, in NM it's seldom an issue.
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Old 02-15-2021, 04:44 PM   #5
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Awnings making a lot of noise

I have the exact same trailer. I squirt mine with silicone spray about once a month. Not sure why it makes this noise , every other trailer I’ve had never did this.
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Old 02-16-2021, 04:52 AM   #6
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Ours is the same as well. I've found that the quick dry silicone spray or better yet, PTFE Dry Lube works well. They don't seem to attract dirt and dust as quickly.
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Old 02-16-2021, 05:26 AM   #7
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Yep, silicone or a dry lube (clear stuff, not the one with a white residue) with PTFE works for me. It goes on the operating rod and every moveable joint a couple times a year. I also do the bearing ends if the toppers too. I've found that WD-40 just ain't what it used to be in the past.
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Old 02-16-2021, 05:30 AM   #8
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It seems WD-40 is a better solvent than lubricant. There are much better lubricant options out there than WD-40 and you really need to take care when using things like this near rubber, plastic, seals, etc. They can break down these materials and actually cause damage.
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Old 02-16-2021, 09:03 AM   #9
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Ours also makes a screeching noise at times so I decided to do an "in-depth" study on the awning as it came in and out. Turns out, when it makes the noise the arms extend straight out until it gets into the proper position. When it makes no noise, the arms extend part way then the one nearest the front dips quite a bit then it continues merrily on its way until it becomes fully extended. Now this study, while time consuming, taught me absolutely nothing about how to solve the issue so, like everyone else, we have just learned to live with it.
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Old 02-16-2021, 03:41 PM   #10
joe direnzi
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struts

Spray the struts.It works.
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Old 02-24-2021, 03:22 PM   #11
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WD-40 is not really a lubricant. It's a Water Displacer. Works very well in wet distributers. The 40 is the 40th try before the formula worked. Hence WD-40. Silicone spray is a great lubricant for use on RV's.
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Old 02-24-2021, 03:36 PM   #12
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I suppose the Opie is talking about slide-out toppers. I've never heard them make any noise like squeaking
My guess is what you are hearing is the seals for the slide out. They need to keep lubed up. I use 303 for that purpose
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Old 02-24-2021, 04:36 PM   #13
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Definitely lube the gas struts1

Quote:
Originally Posted by MARK A View Post
Silicone spray instead of WD 40 will bring less mess. Spray the gas struts when extended, and anything else that moves. Wipe off any drips.


Mark
Our 2019 Alpine had a gas strut that locked up in the extended position
(awning extended). When the awning was brought in, the strut didn't budge, causing the awning arm to "taco". Because the bent arm was on the other side of the dining slide, I didn't notice the damage til the next day. At first I thought the wind had caused the damage, but in the process of replacing the awning arm (non motorized side), I discovered the immovable strut. So yes, don't forget to lube the gas strut!
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Old 02-25-2021, 06:23 AM   #14
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Awning noise

My 2020 Montana 3791 was the same way. Drove me crazy trying to figure out where it was squeaking. I found it was the awning where it rolls up. With a ladder I took out 2 screws and put silicone spray on the awning shaft at the corner heads. Not a problem since. Hope this helps.
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Old 02-25-2021, 07:52 AM   #15
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My 2020 Montana 3791 was the same way. Drove me crazy trying to figure out where it was squeaking. I found it was the awning where it rolls up. With a ladder I took out 2 screws and put silicone spray on the awning shaft at the corner heads. Not a problem since. Hope this helps.

I'm assuming this is where the shaft enters the tube and are pulling the arm end cap off, Be really careful with doing that chore. Unless you pin the shaft so it wont rotate, you may be in for a bunch of work and you also might be injured. There is a spring inside the awning tube that on full retract has at least 13 pre load turns which means a bunch of stored energy. If done at full extension, there are even more turns on that spring.
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Old 02-25-2021, 08:44 AM   #16
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Just the plastic cap. It’s just a covers the end shaft. Nothing to remove other than that T
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Old 02-25-2021, 12:41 PM   #17
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Just the plastic cap. It’s just a covers the end shaft. Nothing to remove other than that T

My comment was just a warning in case someone got into it a bit further and removed the entire shaft support without locking the spring.
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Old 02-26-2021, 03:58 PM   #18
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Our 3760 has the same issue. Drives me crazy. We've tried lubing everything with no long term fix. I think they just did a horrible job installing the awnings. You can tell that they aren't lined up properly. The result of speed building.......
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Old 07-30-2021, 06:41 AM   #19
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Agree with the speed building. My arms have never seated properly when closed and I imagine over time it will be an issue...
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Old 07-30-2021, 10:11 AM   #20
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The awning fabric can be adjusted on the tube side by sliding it left or right to get it aligned correctly.
I had to adjust both awnings on my 2021 rig and they got quieter too.
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