Awning does not allow water too drain

[Viking 5]

We own a Forest River Surveyor Sport. The awning is nice except it deploys straight out and does not allow rain water to drain. Instead the rain water pools in the middle of the awning and slowly stretches it out. Does anyone know how we can tilt the awning without damaging it so rain water will drain off of it? If we can't tilt the awning is there another way to drain the water from the awning without having to physically push the water off the awning?

[rlocicero]

Power or electric, you should be able to lower one or the other corners to permit the awning to drain. Some models have cylinders that allow the awning to automatically dump when rain weights it down dut they do not work very well. Better to adjust the awning manually. Can you post pictures?

[fonzie]

Have a look at this thread......

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ing-62539.html

[billt01]

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ure-43331.html

[OldCoot]

If it is a power awning built up until late 08, it does not have adjustable arms. There was a free adjustable arm kit Dometic furnished dealers. If your unit is in this model year, it might have been missed. On my 08, I cut 2" off the motor end of the arm and got a permanent 6" tilt. Just removed the motor, cut 2" off, drilled a new mount hole for the motor and re-installed. Works great and is a permanent fix.

[mlong]

Just jack up the front of the camper a little higher then the back. You could also make the opposite side of the camper a little higher with a block under the wheel(s). Don't go too much. You still want to be pretty level. Just enough to compensate for the lack of adjustment for the awning itself. If you have a slide out you may want to keep the side to side level rather than allowing water to run back toward the seem and possibly creeping into the camper if there is a slight gap in the seal.

[Herk7769]

You are OVER extending your awning.

In a properly extended awning, the material needs 1/4 wrap on top to stiffen the material and prevent pooling. The "flap" should hang straight down and the flap slot should face out (away from the camper). This will mean the accessory slot will face the camper and not face down.

This photo shows an overextended awning. Note the "gutter" that allows water to be trapped against the roller and collect sagging the material.

That 1/4 wrap also stiffens a long awning's roller and resists sagging of the roller itself in a long span.

Water pooling in the awning can move the awning on the roller resulting in a skewed awning material. Upon retraction, the out of square material will pull your arms (electric) off to one side causing binding and eventual failure to fully retract.

Once you have the material where it needs to be for a smooth retract, I put a pop-rivet in each side to keep it there. (It can even move by "flapping" in a light wind.) You can move the awning on the roller to get it right by "unloading" the roller (by holding it up with your knee - ladder needed) and tugging on the material (causing it to slide in the roller). If you go too far, move to the other side and tug it back.

[cpaulsen]

A lot of RV dealers still carry the adjustable arm in stock. When I got mine last year.....the dealer had approx. 10 in stock and they are free.

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by cpaulsen

A lot of RV dealers still carry the adjustable arm in stock. When I got mine last year.....the dealer had approx. 10 in stock and they are free.

Yes, if you don't have one on your electric awning, this mod is needed. Make sure you keep the lock nut loose when you retract the awning!

[BigBaron]

Coot - is there ANYTHING that you can't do? LOL

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by Herk7769

You are OVER extending your awning.

In a properly extended awning, the material needs 1/4 wrap on top to stiffen the material and prevent pooling. The "flap" should hang straight down and the flap slot should face out (away from the camper). This will mean the accessory slot will face the camper and not face down...

Only problem is if you hang a sunscreen in the groove, the awning will automatically roll to form the valley as the top material groove and the sunscreen groove are not 180 degrees apart. If the tube is tilted, the groove/valley is not a problem anyway. Been doing it for years with no problem.

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

Only problem is if you hang a sunscreen in the groove, the awning will automatically roll to form the valley as the top material groove and the sunscreen groove are not 180 degrees apart. If the tube is tilted, the groove/valley is not a problem anyway. Been doing it for years with no problem.

With the awning poles, the location of the groove does not seem to matter.

[tmhyer]

Why is your awning extended in the rain anyway? My understanding is to only extend it when you are using it, and it is only to shade you from the sun.

[donanddona]

My Yorkies do like the awning out to do their business.

[mlong]

Why would you retract your awning just for rain. Unless it is windy I like to keep it out

[OldCoot]

With the awning poles, I set the tilt, tie it down and we never take the awning in unless they are predicting 25+mph winds.

[Cleon]

Hi our 195Bh awning is self-dumping. But i do raise the front of the trailer a bit while it is raining so the awning dumps at the back not near the door at the front. I did notice my awning frame has an hinge point that is normally straight when the awning is out. I have found that during the rain that if i pull down on that hinge it loosens the awning on that end and cause it to dump more often with less water/weight buildup. just be sure to straighten it out before storing the awning.

[TURBS]

Its Easier to just tilt the awning and lock the arms.

"sabre owners united!"


turbs

[Cleon]

true but our awning is not tilt adjustable like the older "carefree" and "domenic" ones. simply "unlock" and pull out. there are no sliding adjustable arms on the ends.

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by Cleon

true but our awning is not tilt adjustable like the older "carefree" and "domenic" ones. simply "unlock" and pull out. there are no sliding adjustable arms on the ends.

Is it an electric unit?

"sabre owners united!"


turbs