How to Fix a Carefree of Colorado RV Power Awning that Binds
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- čas přidán 7. 09. 2024
- Here is a quick repair I have found to restore Carefree of Colorado RV power awning (Travel'r).
The two screws holding the tube to the motor/idler head have too much torsion on them becuase there are only two of them. These act more like hinges allowing the heads to pivot. I have seen the screws fall out completely or for the awning not to retract due to this issue.
Hope this helps.
Thank you to Stacy with Awnings R Us in Apache Junction, AZ for his continuous support.
Check out his Facebook----- / awningsrusaz
I have the same problem, the design is expecting too much from the undersized screws installed. I raised this with Carefree and they told me to add a 3rd screw! That's customer service for you!
Thanks for the video, and the comments below. I am off to the store to get an M-12 Rivet Tool!
that's crazy. It does seem very obvious that a third fastener was needed all along
Yep, always something, it's a full time job keeping RV's up to par. Knowing what I know now, a school bus build is way better and a lot more solid, and way cheaper too. Good Job.......
I don't know, Schoolies intimidate me because they're retired after a hard service life and possibly questionable maintenance. I can see the appeal of them too though. Thanks!
AZ Expert Most that were school district had a excellent maintenance program by fed law. SBus are all metal and 3 times stronger than any RV out of fiberglass. The chassis is simple and very common among all supplies stores and Salvage yards. Parts are all over the country and can be serviced by most mechanics as it is standard and not super high tech drive train.
And, you can get one between $2500-5000, which is dirt cheap compared what you get for any used wore out falling apart RV.
The more I see them, the more I like them, even though I have a class A myself 😉.
@@mrmudstud5980 That's good information. Thanks!
Looks good, thanks for this fix video James. Happy trails!
Thanks 👍
Same problem at the end of 2020 season I will be checking this in the morning
good luck
Thank you!!!! I jave the same awning and my heads a wobbly and squeeky....squeaky.... suspect I have the same issue.
Thanks for watching! :)
That worked great on my awning, thank you!!
If the original holes are badly worn (mine were, screws wouldn't stay tight), replacing the screws with rivets may not be good enough. I rotated the "cup" 1/3 to avoid the "bad" holes and drill new ones. It is important that the heads be tight together before drilling any new holes. I used a strap for that purpose. I used 1/4 x 3/4 metal screws and added 2 more to each end. Awning now runs like a champ!!!
Thats a great solution. Thanks for sharing!
Had our 43ft Toyhauler front awning replaced (carefree) and it was doing the same. I fact I added thicker stainless screws once before with loctite. The awning installer did the same thing...added rivits. Doing our rear awning next week as it just came in.....gonna have the same rivits done.
So far so good on the front one with the rivit fix. I suspect the wobble it did for long time may have wore out more, so I'm gonna inspect. I bought new tubes/fabric for both frt/rear.
The overall build from CofC is junk.
People don't understand the value of this tip ur giving!!
Thanks for watching!
I am having a problem with mine and I am going to try this today 😊
You got this!
Had this same issue. I used larger SS screws to replace and added 2 more on each end. But seems the aluminum tube screw hole reams out. So probably going to do rivits next after fabric replacement.
yes, I have seen the screws strip too, the aluminum is thin on the tube
After watching your video on the Carefree powered awning, I decided to go check mine. Both ends have 2 rivets each holding the end cap to the awning tube. Despite the rivets looking tight, both ends still wobble as the awning moved in/out.
Any suggestions as to what I can look at next?
Shame I'm in Green Valley. Some distance from your home base.
Thanks,
David
There is a 3/4" bolt in the channel section of the motor mount with several washers. I thought it was lose so I tightened the nut and the motor gear started popping when you tried to bring in the awning. I loosened it back up and the motor started working correctly again. Can you tell me what that bolt does?
After being in storage over the Winter, the heads on the 1/4 x 3/4 metal screws I installed last October are interfering with the metal awning cover (Carefree Travel'r), preventing extension. I plan on replacing the screws with 1/4 x 1/2 aluminum pop rivets, four on each end. Hopefully, they will last longer than I.
good luck, that's good information to know, thanks
Nice fix.
I think part of the problem is the flilmsy, ill fitting plastic caps they use now.
Where you able to stop the wobble in the ends?
A great deal of the wobble was removed by installing the extra hardware and the awnings worked smoothly. The last awning I had like this would not retract without help until the hardware was installed. Thanks!
I'm going try this. Hopefullly this solves my failure to retract problem. Maybe you know the answer to this. After failing to retract a lot of play in the gears. I suspected a bad bushing but after disassembly they appear to be okay. I removed the motor with the awning open (because it wont retract), expecting the spring to do its job but the awning didn't budge. The motor tests fine in each direction. Is it possible that I'm dealing with a broken spring? We have had some pretty good wind on new years and even with the wind the awning hasn't budged aside from a tear getting bigger. Any thoughts or ideas would be appreciated. Thanks
Thanks for the video
You're welcome!!!
I'm having the opposite problem, my awning won't deploy past about 2 feet out. It keeps pushing out the canvas and the forward arm seems to be fine, but the rear arm is locking up? Any Ideas?
We are having this same problem in this comment. It gets stunk and just unravels. I would love some ideas on how to fix this!!
Would this problem also cause the motor to draw high amps and blow fuses?
How much are the ends supposed to wobble. Ours (same awning on a Fuzion TH ) have had wobbles. I figured the gear or splines I side are f-ed up. I know when the awnings get inadvertently blown in from a random gust of wind, sometimes just one side gets wind-assist retracted. Which makes the tube-to-arm connection go into a harsh angle.
I've tried to see if there's a way to improve the gas strut stiffness but they are not user replacement parts. C of C makes the arms 1-pc with struts. We did replace 1 broken arm but even with new strut on that side, the wind can still blow it in. In south Florida the random gust can just happen out of nowhere. Awning slaps the side of the RV and then falls back in place.
They are designed to pivot or swivel on the arm to reduce binding. Struts are not a common failure point. If the wind is collasping it, it should be rolled up. You can add fabric panels or tie downs which would also fix that.
Do you know if the rivets holding the arms together are replaceable. We have one of the middle short arms bent. They are all riveted together. Carefree says to buy whole new system. I want to just pull apart and straighten or replace one arm. Here’s are arm assembly part number R001642WHT
yes you can . carefreeofcolorado.com site has the service manual available to download. It covers replacing different pieces of the awning frame as well as motor and gear assembly.
Do yourself a favor and get the Milwaukee M-12 Rivet Tool, best $ I've spent in a long time.
I agree. I picked one up as soon as it came in stock, just on stainless rivets alone its worth it
I need help getting my carefree awning closed so I can hit the road tomorrow. How do I use a 12 v battery to bypass the control arm? Can you help me?
there are two rivets on the back of the motor on the plastic housing. Just connect 12vdc ground to one and positive to the other, if it extends reverse the wires. good luck
@@AZExpert thank you. I found a repair place the next day in Las Cruces NM. They had a second hands motor and replaced it. I had the awning closed up tie wrapped and gorilla taped. They showed me the teeth on the motor wheel had broken off. I was just out of warranty...of coarse. Anyhow got out at $149.00 thought they did a great job. 😉
I have this awning. I was Boone docking with it out and thought ... What happens if this awning fails? How do you mechanically retract these awnings?
If the controls fail hook wires up to a battery and the rivets on the motor housing, if the motor fails............depends on your skills. With a few people you can remove the motor roll the awning up, install the motor and strap the arms. You could push the awning arms in and strap and tape everything for travel, or call mobile service.
@@AZExpert Thank you. Yes, I am trying to prepare for a motor fail situation. I was surprised these didn't have a "mechanical" back up
What happens when you need to change the awning, do you just drill out those rivets? Hubby and me call those ginormous 5th wheels "highrises" going down the road. 🤣😛 we parked by one once un Dinosaur Utah, and he called it a toy hauler, so we told him our 12fter was too, and showed him the bike rack on the front🤣😂🤣😂!!!!
It's much easier with two or three people, but rivets do have to be drilled out.
Were those rivits aluminum or steel?
aluminum rivets
1:20
RV stuff is always cheap, whatever brand. They will eventualy kill the business.
I think that many times too. Thanks!
I could’ve sworn these have springs… be careful people.
They Do