Awning slope adjustment question

[432bartman]

How is everyone adjusting the slope of their awning once it's out? These things are tall and in the past I had to use a ladder to pull it down to slope it more and then tighten the fasteners to keep it in place. On my recent trip, our friends who have a TT, have a nylon strap attached to the end of their awning which allows you to pull the awning down so no ladder is needed. When retracting the awning, the strap just rolls up with the rest of the awning. Should ours have come with that? Can I add the strap? I tried using the search engine on this forum and had no luck.

[432bartman]

Well took a chance and ordered a pull down strap from Amazon. It's the one from Carefree, model #901088, for $11.00.

[DadsHemi]

I have a 3 tiered step ladder I use. Easy to store.

[Route66Rambler]

Made 4 notches in the end of a piece of PVC to tighten the knob. Use a broom to pull down. Easy.

[DutchmenSport]

I added 2 straps to the awning on mine. Same as on my previous 3 travel trailer manual awnings. It just slides in the groove on the awning roller. I can pull the strap and lower the angle of the awning. However, I still have to use a ladder to tighten the knob to hold the awning angle in place. It's still just too high. The strap comes in real handy though when pull the angle down. I can hold the strap down with one hand and tighten the knob with the other. That spring loaded tension is hard to hold tight with one hand, on a ladder. The strap makes it very easy.

I picked up my straps from my local dealership parts store. As I recall, they didn't cost much at all. Click here - Camping World prices.

[R.S.O'Donnell]

I just use a short step ladder.

Replacing arms on both awnings with Travel'r arms is on my list. You can set the pitch and it stays where you put it even when retracting. Had one on our Class C and absolutely loved it.

https://www.carefreeofcolorado.com/p...s/travelr.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DT_ENXdLjGc

[bcrvman]

Originally Posted by 432bartman

How is everyone adjusting the slope of their awning once it's out? These things are tall and in the past I had to use a ladder to pull it down to slope it more and then tighten the fasteners to keep it in place. On my recent trip, our friends who have a TT, have a nylon strap attached to the end of their awning which allows you to pull the awning down so no ladder is needed. When retracting the awning, the strap just rolls up with the rest of the awning. Should ours have come with that? Can I add the strap? I tried using the search engine on this forum and had no luck.

I have 2 awnings, so 2 of those straps were included in the owners package of manuals etc.

[Scootsk]

Check out this thread that I started. I posted some pictures of my solution.
https://www.montanaowners.com/forums...ad.php?t=81114

[BobbyJ]

Originally Posted by Route66Rambler

Made 4 notches in the end of a piece of PVC to tighten the knob. Use a broom to pull down. Easy.

THAT'S a dang good idea! Have to remember that way if thinking for challenges that come up!

[TjHathaway]

I took a hotdog stick (steel one) and cut the end off and bent it in to a hook. Reach up, hook the bar and pull down. Easy peasy

[432bartman]

Even with the straps, I still need a ladder to reach the tightening knobs to hold the awning in place......oh well.

[Carl n Susan]

The 2" PVC carved out to the shape of the knob is still the slickest trick I have seen.

Look at Post #16 in Thread: https://www.montanaowners.com/forums...ad.php?t=81114

[DutchmenSport]

Originally Posted by 432bartman

Even with the straps, I still need a ladder to reach the tightening knobs to hold the awning in place......oh well.

Unless you are 7 foot tall with 6 foot long arms, this is still the way it has to be done. On mine, I have to tighten the knobs down pretty tight, otherwise the arm slips. The knob on end of the extension stick, as described above, would not work well for me. It simply would not tighten enough before it slipped the grooves.

Unfortunately, for us "height impaired" people, ladders are about the only way.

I carry a 3 step folding step ladder inside the trailer so we can reach the top shelves in the kitchen. So, the short ladder is always there. I just accepted this as one of the idiosyncrasies of the camper.

[432bartman]

Originally Posted by Carl n Susan

The 2" PVC carved out to the shape of the knob is still the slickest trick I have seen.

Look at Post #16 in Thread: https://www.montanaowners.com/forums...ad.php?t=81114

Carl that is brilliant. Thanks for reposting this.