"Carefree" awning issue(s)

[RizeMaster]

Just got the Safety Recall letter today. Interesting that neither Carefree nor Thor made any mention of it when I called them with my awning issues.


Going to get the motor replaced by a local mechanic, and see if that fixes the awning. Then deal with the recall. Not looking forward to dropping the vehicle off in a faraway place for an unknown time period... I guess, the joys of owning an RV.

[williamprunty]

Originally Posted by RizeMaster

Just got the Safety Recall letter today. Interesting that neither Carefree nor Thor made any mention of it when I called them with my awning issues.


Going to get the motor replaced by a local mechanic, and see if that fixes the awning. Then deal with the recall. Not looking forward to dropping the vehicle off in a faraway place for an unknown time period... I guess, the joys of owning an RV.

Can you post a copy of letter? Is there a place to check on recalls?

[RizeMaster]

If you google "thor rize awning safety recall" you'll get right to the pertinent NHTSA pdf.


Not sure on the best page to see recalls... I guess https://www.nhtsa.gov/ would be a starting point for searches.

One would think that https://thor.mizecx.com should have the best info, but I don't see much in terms of recalls. There is a "Notifications" page, but nothing coming up for me.

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by williamprunty

Can you post a copy of letter? Is there a place to check on recalls?

https://oemdtc.com/12964/rc000289-aw...pe-camper-vans

[RizeMaster]

Thank you T&M!


What is (somewhat) interesting is that my Rize was built in 2021, and I got the recall letter anyway, even though it says production dates 2022-23.


Anyway, hoping to have a safe and functioning awning again in the future. For now, the fuse is pulled, velcro is wrapped, and duck is taped, all to prevent unintended unfolding of the wing.

[williamprunty]

Awning detached when bringing it in. Not windy but wet.

Any ideas how to approach this. I can’t even drive it anywhere to try and get it fixed. I have had this awning worked on several times now, but this is the worst so far. They already had to redo it because the screws were coming out.

[Msdpok]

I would get a 1or 2 inch ratchet strap and strap it so you can bring it in for repairs! And yes you will have to go around the whole RV! Or at least the overhang! Good luck!

[williamprunty]

Hoping to find o roadside mobile Rv repair to remove it.

I can’t get it in any further on one end. So it’s partially extended. And the arm is just hanging there.

[RizeMaster]

One thing you could try is to completely remove the fabric. You'll need two ladders and pairs of hands.
Remove the cap (front or back) of the housing. Extend the awning all the way. Remove the brackets holding the fabric either at the front or back, then slide/pull it out.

That way you can safely store it. Then fold the arm back in and secure it with zip ties or velcro or something.

[WhatnxtRV]

Went to the Dealership today for my license plates (new Thor Rize 18M) and talked to the service manager as my awning is doing the out/in motion a couple of times when I give power to the coach. She was aware of the problem and advised me to remove the awning fuse as there is no current fix.

[RizeMaster]

Definitely pull the fuse... mine did that a couple of times and then the motor broke and the whole thing just shot out.

[Cpgillmore]

TMC Safety Recall 23v-068 has been issued for the for Scope 18M. My CW dealership received a part, appears to be incorrect per the mechanic, and hoping to reschedule the service appointment to get this resolved. The letter recommends using zip ties until this is repaired. And as always this is taking weeks for warranty approval, correct parts, and available service appointment - - tedious for sure.

[RizeMaster]

Thank you for sharing! My dealer is about 5 hours away (one way), and they tend to have things come up at the last minute so I have to take like an extended vacation to get something done.


In other words, most likely I'll continue with the fuse removed. Thinking about adding a simple awning power switch, but I use the awning rarely so just putting the fuse back when needed probably works just as well.


In the meantime, my broken awning motor has been replaced, and I am hoping for a reimbursement.

[Scubawise]

Originally Posted by RizeMaster

Thank you for sharing! My dealer is about 5 hours away (one way), and they tend to have things come up at the last minute so I have to take like an extended vacation to get something done.


In other words, most likely I'll continue with the fuse removed. Thinking about adding a simple awning power switch, but I use the awning rarely so just putting the fuse back when needed probably works just as well.


In the meantime, my broken awning motor has been replaced, and I am hoping for a reimbursement.

I have had thor ship warranty parts to my local tech to install & thor reimbursed me

[RizeMaster]

Originally Posted by Scubawise

I have had thor ship warranty parts to my local tech to install & thor reimbursed me

Oh, me too, but I am not sure if that works for recalls/TSB's with the local mechanic - might require some sort of certified shop. And closer dealerships only seem to want to work on vehicles purchased from them. Either the service depts are really backed up, or there isn't much money to be made from repairs, not sure.

[Beau388]

Originally Posted by RizeMaster

Oh, me too, but I am not sure if that works for recalls/TSB's with the local mechanic - might require some sort of certified shop. And closer dealerships only seem to want to work on vehicles purchased from them. Either the service depts are really backed up, or there isn't much money to be made from repairs, not sure.

Ford, GM and Mercedes certify mechanics; Thor MC does not. Thor has dealer tech training teams (east, center and west) that periodically visits dealers. Thor MC does assemble factory specialist teams when a dealer's techs cannot handle the problem The team is usually made of floor team leaders that have moved up in the company's hierarchy. They do go through a short training program with some factory engineers. I have met several, as usually Mr Sunshine is able to get Thor MC to send one to his rallies and they are usually available during factory tours to answer questions the tour guides cannot .

[Scubawise]

Originally Posted by RizeMaster

Oh, me too, but I am not sure if that works for recalls/TSB's with the local mechanic - might require some sort of certified shop. And closer dealerships only seem to want to work on vehicles purchased from them. Either the service depts are really backed up, or there isn't much money to be made from repairs, not sure.

No I did vegas ntsb fixes

[MLP]

Originally Posted by RizeMaster

Oh, me too, but I am not sure if that works for recalls/TSB's with the local mechanic - might require some sort of certified shop. And closer dealerships only seem to want to work on vehicles purchased from them. Either the service depts are really backed up, or there isn't much money to be made from repairs, not sure.

Dealerships do not make money on warranty repairs. A lot of approved independent shops are not doing warranty work anymore. Manufactures provide the parts, and pay assembly line install labor time. They do not pay for getting to and removal of the defective part. Dealerships have to do warranty work, but do to the way manufactures provide payment for the work they do not want any rigs that they have not sold. Two of the independent shops I use even don't get paid for the work by the manufactures that approved the job ahead of time. That is why they stopped taking in warranty work.

[Pete'sMH]

Originally Posted by MLP

Dealerships do not make money on warranty repairs. A lot of approved independent shops are not doing warranty work anymore. Manufactures provide the parts, and pay assembly line install labor time. They do not pay for getting to and removal of the defective part. Dealerships have to do warranty work, but do to the way manufactures provide payment for the work they do not want any rigs that they have not sold. Two of the independent shops I use even don't get paid for the work by the manufactures that approved the job ahead of time. That is why they stopped taking in warranty work.

Sadly, the independent shop I’ve used for years has pretty much stopped doing warranty work. Owner told me that Thor had been supporting it pretty well - Winnebago was the worst - but not so much anymore. Unfortunately, the dealers have to do it but they all to often employ clueless and careless clowns for their service “techs”. I think they secretly WANT to drive away service business. Unless I find a better dealer I’m going to be forced to use the factory service center.

[Beau388]

Perhaps I should explain Thor MC warranty process for Non Thor MC dealers. In July 2016 my new Hurricane's, purchased from MHSRV, patio awning LED started to fail. I emailed Thor MC CS and ask if I could use a local MC dealer to repair my lights under warranty. The answer was certainly. "Take the coach to the Youngbloods RV in Mayfield and have them give you a labor estimate." I made an appointment and drove the coach to Mayfield, 30 miles from home. I took 6 minutes to get a written estimate of 1/2 hour @ $85 per hour with a 1 hour minimum.
I emailed the estimate to Thor MC. The next day I got a email that my repair was approved and the LED strip would arrive FED EX overnight and I was to return the old LED strip in the same box with the prepaid address label. I called Youngbloods RV to make an appointment and was informed the Thor MC had made an appointment in my name for Saturday morning and if i did not receive the LED strip by Friday noon, I was to call and reschedule the appointment. The box arrived Thursday as scheduled.
The appointment took about 40 minutes for the repair and I paid the $85 dollar bill as Thor MC had directed. I put the paid bill in the box along LED strip. Youngbloods RV agreed to have FED EX pickup the box. About two weeks later i received my check from Thor MC. Happy to report the repair and LED are still working and now it is time to change the awning fabric.