Awning "popping" sound when extending

[stevejd235]

I could not find a post talking about this via search. So here is my question.

When extending my awning, the front awning arm will "pop" when the awning is about 2-3 feet away from the top of the camper. I do not see any point where the awning arm is sticking and it seems to come more from the awning shock/piston when it is extending than anything else. The rear awning arm does not do this.

My service department indicated that Lipperts (the awning manufacturer) said this is normal. I'm not buying it but I will see what this group says.

Thanks for your thoughts/experience on this...

[TURBS]

Mine has done it since new "5 years old" same arm.

TURBS
08 duramax tuned n modded
2011 32bhok Sabre
2015 camping "24 nights"

[mlangdn]

Mine has done it since new. Its in the second season and still doing it.

[stevejd235]

Originally Posted by TURBS

Mine has done it since new "5 years old" same arm.

TURBS
08 duramax tuned n modded
2011 32bhok Sabre
2015 camping "24 nights"

Originally Posted by mlangdn

Mine has done it since new. Its in the second season and still doing it.

Turbs & Mlangdn,
Is it just your front awning arm that is "popping"?

Appreciate hearing that people are having the same experience...

[TURBS]

Yes just the front.

TURBS
08 duramax tuned n modded
2011 32bhok Sabre
2015 camping "24 nights"

[mikeysotp]

Same here, same explanation from the dealer. I just ignore it now.

[stevejd235]

Thank you everyone. This question has been answered...

[Still Kickin]

Answered where? I believe the reason they function this way is the following; there are two mechanical functions contained in the "tube". The one with the wires contains a very small geared electric motor. The opposite end contains a long spring, similiar in design to what you see above an overhead garage door., but probably not as beefy. When you acuate the motor, the spring begins to "load" and the whole mechanism is aided by the two pistons attached to the awning arms. Those two pistons apply an extension force. The pistons are spring loaded to help the awning deployment, since the motor is very small. There is what I will call a transition point, where the entire system balances the opposing forces, (i.e. tube spring load and piston force). At that transition point is where you will incure the noise you hear.

One maintenance thing you can do to make it smoothe as possible, is to apply some silicone spray to the stainless steel portion of the pistons to mitigate chatter. Hope that explains it better. Oh, by the way, I slept at a Holiday Inn Express last night!

[mlangdn]

Same as TURBS. Just the arm where the wires are.

[stevejd235]

Originally Posted by Still Kickin

Answered where?

The answer for me was that this is something that others are experiencing and that they have received the same answer from their dealer/vendor.

Your detailed answer was VERY helpful and the suggested maintenance process is something I will try.

Love all the input this forum has....

[Still Kickin]

Your welcome. I tend to look at things from a different view sometimes. The awning functionality is really a marvel of engineering. You only need to go back several years to the days of manual deployment, or always having to dodge the support arms on electric ones to understand my point.

Sometimes it truely amazes me on how products are improved for us consumers to enjoy. Then again, some say you didn't build that. I say, by gosh, i'm glad you did. Just sayin'

[stevejd235]

Oh I get it. Sometimes I read too much into things and go a different direction that what was originally posted/asked. But this group has been wonderful the short time I have been here...

[gjlabree]

I have a 2014 Wildcat Maxx. I had the same problem from the day I purchased this unit, until one day it popped and the tension strut had blown a seal. I ordered one from Dometic and was able to replace the strut. It now works smooth and never pops.

[lindalees818]

2016 FR 8281WS and ours does the same thing!!

[Edmund]

Mine does the same thing and then sometimes it will roll out 3-4 feet and then pop up with a loud bang. That can't be good. I always try to remember to run it out @ one foot and then reach up and push the awning roll up. It will pop up but only and inch or so, with very little noise, and then I can roll it all the way out with no further problem. Obviously this will only work if the awning switch is just inside the front door.

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by Edmund

Mine does the same thing and then sometimes it will roll out 3-4 feet and then pop up with a loud bang. That can't be good. I always try to remember to run it out @ one foot and then reach up and push the awning roll up. It will pop up but only and inch or so, with very little noise, and then I can roll it all the way out with no further problem. Obviously this will only work if the awning switch is just inside the front door.

Some of us have modded our awning to be remote controlled.

TURBS
08 duramax tuned n modded
2011 32bhok Sabre
2015 camping "24 nights"

[DennisTD]

Thanks. Same thing here.

[Kanga99]

I have the same thing on my 2015 Roo 23IKSS. It is in the dealer right now for a bunch of warranty issues. That is on the list. I will post about their repair or their excuse when I pick it up soon.

[oldcomputerwiz]

Ours has done it since new 2012, dometic, as well as my in-laws and theirs is probably 8 years old. It bothered me at first but learned to live with it. To many screws to put back in everything pulling it down Michigan's wonderful roads to worry about the popping sound from the awning.

Steve