Awning sticks extending have to nudge it to start

[Mo_Mike]

We have the Carefree of Colorado awning on our 2016 Vegas that we are having to "nudge" the awning to get it to start to extend by pulling slightly on the front side arm. Once "nudged", the awning extends and retracts fine. I called CoC and they suggested making sure the pitch was level. The front was set one stop from minimum pitch and when we set the front to minimum it worked twice great. However, the next time we tried to extend. it was time for a "nudge". We have always lubricated the joints and rails, but doesn't seem to help in this case. Anyone else have this issue and found a solution for it?

[dkoldman]

They didn't say anything about the motor being at the early stages of going out?

I would check voltage when switch is first hit BEFORE you have to nudge. If it is normal you have issue with motor or awning binding trying to get out of the fully retracted position.

Now would be a good time to learn how to manually retract should it ever get out and won't retract. If you do, let us know that procedure for C of C because we can add that another thread with a list of Top 20 Things to know.

[16ACE27]

Weak voltage to, or failing motor, or the vinyl fabric is sticking together due to age/deterioration or cleaning products.

[EA37TS]

My awning remains in more than it is extended. Often, maybe 33% of the time when I go to extend the awning the material sticks and I have to nudge the front awning arm. This occurs more frequently in hot weather than it does in cold weather.

There is nothing wrong with anything. It is simply lack of use. It is similar to skin sticking to a vinyl chair while wearing shorts.

[Lt Keefer]

Originally Posted by EA37TS

My awning remains in more than it is extended. Often, maybe 33% of the time when I go to extend the awning the material sticks and I have to nudge the front awning arm. This occurs more frequently in hot weather than it does in cold weather.

There is nothing wrong with anything. It is simply lack of use. It is similar to skin sticking to a vinyl chair while wearing shorts.

Mine does the same thing. If I don't extend it very often, it sticks. I don't have to nudge it, it just sticks for a second or two before extending.

[dkoldman]

I try to extend mine after every rain, if I can get around to it. It is always a little wet on the edges. I can see how with some cleaning chemicals it may get a bit sticky. I just use regular hose to wash off and may treat a spot with soap or 409 if I find one.

[Mo_Mike]

I appreciate all the input! After more investigating and some time to think, when the arm sticks on outgoing, the rear arm goes out normally and the front side awning fabric actually feeds out and hangs in front of the door until the front arm actually catches up It seems like the gas pistons are actually what pushes the arms out away from the coach.

So, in my hillbilly mindset the rear piston is pushing put, while the front piston is weak and needs some "help"...

If my thought pattern is WAY off base, please let me know...

[craigd853]

Originally Posted by Mo_Mike

I appreciate all the input! After more investigating and some time to think, when the arm sticks on outgoing, the rear arm goes out normally and the front side awning fabric actually feeds out and hangs in front of the door until the front arm actually catches up It seems like the gas pistons are actually what pushes the arms out away from the coach.

So, in my hillbilly mindset the rear piston is pushing put, while the front piston is weak and needs some "help"...

If my thought pattern is WAY off base, please let me know...

No sir, that is correct in your thinking. Mine did the same thing and I thought the strut was weak so I replaced it. Guess what 150.00 dollars later and I did all the work and it still does the exact same thing on occassion. I have to believe that some of the other members are correct in that the material that the awning is made out of and the temp have something to do with it. You could always change the strut if you want though. It is a PIA and is under a lot of pressure. If the old one is bad it will be easy to remove. Make sure to watch plenty of you tube videos before trying to replace. Good luck and let us know how everything turned out

[tplydon110]

Make sure it is lubed, a little silicone spray does wonders

[Dan-sr@perra-us.net]

Originally Posted by EA37TS

My awning remains in more than it is extended. Often, maybe 33% of the time when I go to extend the awning the material sticks and I have to nudge the front awning arm. This occurs more frequently in hot weather than it does in cold weather.

There is nothing wrong with anything. It is simply lack of use. It is similar to skin sticking to a vinyl chair while wearing shorts.

My front arm also sticks sometimes. All i have to do is open it about foot and then pull the bottom of the front arm out. When I first noticed the problem last spring my first thought was it was cold/cool temperature related. Over the summer it also does it in hot weather. I also considered the problem might by that the strut for the front arm was failing. I contacted Carefree and asked about that. They suggested a test to verify that the strut was still good. If I remember correctly the test was to open the awning somewhere between 1' and 3' amd then push on the arm. If the arm pushed in and returned out the strut is considered good. From what I gather the main problem with the strut is that it ceases up and becomes difficult to move.

[Mo_Mike]

Originally Posted by craigd853

No sir, that is correct in your thinking. Mine did the same thing and I thought the strut was weak so I replaced it. Guess what 150.00 dollars later and I did all the work and it still does the exact same thing on occassion. I have to believe that some of the other members are correct in that the material that the awning is made out of and the temp have something to do with it. You could always change the strut if you want though. It is a PIA and is under a lot of pressure. If the old one is bad it will be easy to remove. Make sure to watch plenty of you tube videos before trying to replace. Good luck and let us know how everything turned out

Thanks for your confirmation and input! The first time I noticed this I was putting out the awning as normal looked out and saw an over abundance of fabric hanging down over my entry door. Apparently the rear arm worked fine and the fabric was spooling down without the front arm extending. The front arm then sprung out and everything was fine, I have made sure that extending the arm is now a two-man job. I have lubed joints, rails with silicon lube. I am needing to replace the fabric but almost hate to with the "sticking" issue un solved.

[Mo_Mike]

Originally Posted by Dan-sr@perra-us.net

My front arm also sticks sometimes. All i have to do is open it about foot and then pull the bottom of the front arm out. When I first noticed the problem last spring my first thought was it was cold/cool temperature related. Over the summer it also does it in hot weather. I also considered the problem might by that the strut for the front arm was failing. I contacted Carefree and asked about that. They suggested a test to verify that the strut was still good. If I remember correctly the test was to open the awning somewhere between 1' and 3' amd then push on the arm. If the arm pushed in and returned out the strut is considered good. From what I gather the main problem with the strut is that it ceases up and becomes difficult to move.

Thanks for the suggestion on how to test. I will try that and see what the results are.

[Dan-sr@perra-us.net]

Originally Posted by Mo_Mike

Thanks for the suggestion on how to test. I will try that and see what the results are.

I suggest you contact Carefree and get the test procedure directly from them, I am going from memory here. I did the test back in February while on the road in Las Vegas, I think I remembered everything Carefree told me, but I have slept a few times since then. their phone number is (303) 469-3324.