Awning problem

[Doug and Anita]

My awning on my 2006 model 3295 rolls up completely on one end but it is loose on the other end. It does not wind up all the way on the end closest to the hitch and it leaves the trigger on the bottom where I have trouble turning it to pull the awning back out. What do I need to do to even everything back out?

[SlickWillie]

I'm sure there are others with more knowledge than I have on these, but the TT I traded in on the Mountaineer had a similar problem. In fact, I had to assist it to roll the awning up. It was a Carefree by Colorado, whereas I notice the Tana has an A&E. I did some research, and the ends contain torsion springs which roll up the awning. I never did work on it, but saw many cautions about the dangers involved in repairing or replacing the torsion units. If they are anything like the garage doors that have the two springs on the shaft above the door, I can asure you they will eat your hands and knuckles up if you let them slip. Been there, done that and it smarted.

[noneck]

It can be fixed and we have done it...it is scary as you need to drill off the rivet heads (usually two per side), pull out a pin while holding the current "spring tension" and give it a couple of cranks, reconnect to vertical, then install two new rivets. You need to be VERY careful as noted previously.
Chuck

[Parrothead]

Please do not do this yourself unless you are VERY handy with directions and tools. We met a man who had lost two fingers trying to redo his awning. If you are not real confident, this is a job for a professional.
Happy trails.....................

[Glenn and Lorraine]

I agree with Sue. Since you had to ask the question it is quite evident you have no idea what you will be getting yourself into and as stated above this is one place the inexperienced could have serious injuries. I would contact the local RV dealer and have them make the adjustment. This is not the place to be trying to do it yourself.

[rvfirefighter]

I have had to tighten my awning on the hitch side due to stretching of the fabric. I have a shorter arm on the front due to the way the awning is mounted with the slide on the door side. I would try tightening the slack side before replacing. It is easy to do unless you just do not feel confident.

[sreigle]

If the awning has slipped in the rail on the Montana, then it is off center and thus not rolling up correctly. This happened to us on a slide topper. If it is like the topper, there should be a screw on each end (and maybe in the middle) securing the material to the rail.

I have read numerous times about the dangers of messing with the spring loaded tube on an awning, as Sue said. But I'd think if the problem is where it attaches to the Montana you'd be ok so long as you don't remove it from the rail, just slide it to align it, if this is the problem.