Replacing Motor on LCI Solara Power Awning

[BigHomey]

We are currently camping and the awning started acting up. It would extend (sometimes and slowly), but would not retract at all. I checked the fuses (behind the panel in the bathroom closet), voltage at the switch and at the motor. All voltages were good. Since it is under warranty, but we will be using the TT for a while, I could not take it in to the dealer. I called our dealer service department, talked to the manager and explained the symptoms to him. He agreed that the motor was most likely at fault and said they had changed a few of them in the past couple of weeks. He gave me the email of the Vibe manager at Forest River and said if I changed it myself, it was possible FR would reimburse me for the cost. We will see. I saw a post where someone used a car power window motor that 'fits' and is considerably cheaper, but since I am not home and could not handle modifications at a campsite, I ordered a factory one from Amazon and had it shipped to the campground.

Changing the motor is pretty simple. I extended the awning about 3 feet to get access to the rear off the housing. There are 6 screws that hold the front and rear of the housing together, and 2 screws that hold the rear to the awning arm. I was unsure about any tension spring inside the roller, so I used vice grip pliers to clamp the shaft and a zip tie to hold the pliers to the awning arm. Then it was just 3 bolts holding the motor to the housing and the quick disconnect electrical connectors. Put it back together and it works like new.

AL