BAC Forum
General Boards => Technical Support => Topic started by: Mike Shumack on June 18, 2018, 01:54:13 PM
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I was up washing/cleaning the roof this weekend, and I noticed the awning that covers the drivers side front slide out is sagging. There was water puddling on it.
I did not see a manufacturer's name/logo on the awning.
Do you know who made this awning - so I can look for an Owners manual? The Beaver Manual explains the importance of the awning but provides no other useful info.
Is there a way to add some tension so it stays taut?
Thanks.
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After researching this more - I found that Girard makes two models of "Slide Out Awnings"(the G5000 and the Ultra). If either of those are what I have, I can make tensioning adjustments.
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I believe when I had all three topper awnings replaced, the shop ordered them from Carefree of Colorado. I know the two topper awnings on the street side of our coach are Carefree's. I would suggest the only way to increase tension in the topper awning is to tighten the tension spring. That would be a two or more person operation.
http://beaveramb.org/forum/index.php/topic,297.15.html
http://beaveramb.org/forum/index.php/topic,361.msg4127.html#msg4127
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I don't remember the name of the model. A lot of Beavers in the '04 and '05 years used a Carefree of Colorado topper that was installed so it was level with zero slope when extended. They could be further extended by pulling on a strap so that they would shade the windows.
If that is your model, you add tension by winding the arm on one end. The procedure is risky to fingers, wrists and arms.
No matter what you do, it remains flat and puddles are normal. If you don't like puddles or puddles that turn into blocks of ice, there is an extreme solution!
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Mike,
The Girard awnings were an upgrade but the slide toppers are probably Carefree of Colorado. You may be able to tighten the spring if the awning sags across the complete width. There may be a utube video on it but I couldn't locate one. If the awning sags on the ends but not in the middle, the only way to correct it is to replace the topper. Not a bad job but needs 2 people. (Once you've done it you can do it yourself if you have a way of supporting one end of the extended awning). A number of companies make replacements.
Steve
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Mike,
I just replaced all of my slide topper awnings. I'm guessing yours are just like mine, being a 2005.
They are made by Carefree of Colorado.
I have two models..
Omgega II (which is the one that has brackets that look like question marks) and has a pull strap to extend them to provide shade for the window.
They look like picture 1
SOKII These are the others.
They look like picture 2
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I have the ones with the "question mark" shaped arms on the drivers side and passenger side bedroom slide outs - but I thought that was a separate awning - in addition to that little awning that covers the top of the slideout. I guess I need to get out there and take a closer look.
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Mike,
I own the same model and your slide toppers are Carefree of Colorado. I do not know a method of adjusting the tension, but you might contact Carefree of Colorado and they might be helpful. I got so fed up with those awnings, I purchased Girard awnings. I did learn one thing though and that was to extend the awning prior to closing to let the water drain off prior to bringing my slide in so water wouldn't flood down the sides and make the sides of the slide-outs all wet and getting water inside the coach. Good luck with Carefree.
Roy
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Thanks Roy. Good idea.
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They stretch over time, and annoyingly flap in wind all night unless I get up and bring in at least the windward slides. As I understand it from complaining years ago at BCS the tension isn’t adjustable, or at least not easily.
My thoughts have been that you’d need to remove the fabric and have the upper seam resewn a half inch or more shorter. Hopefully the fabric had already stretched to its max. Often these awnings need their original Careless thread replaced with tougher more rot-resistant stuff anyway. And some here have rebuilt theirs with center drains to resist water pileup and consequent stretch or slide out leaks. Ice and snow don’t drain, and can stretch the material worse than rain.
Joel
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Mike,
There are videos on replacing the awnings in the Video Post inthe Coach Assist section.
Steve
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Those awnings look like the Omega II's. You can tighten them. I had a mobile guy fix the awning last year. It extended while underway in 40 Kt winds last year. It pulled the track off the side of the MH. He fixed the track and took the cover off and wound the spring to set the tension. So I know it can be done to some extent.
Jerry
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Mike,
In addition to the videos in Coach Assist, you might want to look at these.
Some good information, and tips.
http://www.toughtopawnings.com/how-to-replace-rv-awning-fabric.html
http://www.toughtopawnings.com/how-to-replace-rv-awning-fabric.html
These are two separate videos, one for the SOK and one for the Omega II.