Dometic awning arms will not extend

[brianre]

We have a 2015 Windjammer 3008W with a 21 foot awning. The trailer was purchased new in August 2016. When extending the awning, the awning unrolls, but the arms will not extend unless pulled out manually. Once pulled out the awning works fine. All the arm joints were lubricated with silicone spray (not wd40). Any thoughts or help. We will be taking the trailer back to the dealer in the spring, it is about a 4 hour drive to the dealer.

The awning has not worked since we got the trailer home. The adjustment knobs are both loose.

[5picker]

Did the awning ever work correctly or is this something that has just started to happen?

The gas springs (shocks) on the arms serve two purposes on a electric awning.
1. They assist in pushing the arms out away from the body side when extending a closed awning.

2. They dampen the pivoting motion of the arms when the awning is extended fully during times of light wind load or rain.

I would check those first.

I have also seen people who really over tighten the adjustment knobs (if so equipped) to where the awning (once retracted) has a hard time overcoming the full closed position.

[aceinspp]

I would check to see if the knobs used to secure the arms once in place are not tight while extending the awning. Later RJD

[Mr. Dan]

I had this issue early on to some degree. I determined that my adjustment knobs had been loosened but the sliding part were stuck together -- maybe from wet paint, etc., or from being in the closed position so long. I pried them apart and all has been well.

[bob caldwell]

Sight down each side or the movable rail.....I've had to slightly spread them to keep 'em from pinching the stationary one......can do with your hands..or, take a yard stick and use as a straight edge....

[Dacline]

I had this problem they end up putting a piece of rubber to help it. There a certain part that fix in there.

[Still Kickin]

Couple things; the shocks are spring loaded under extreme force when in the retracted position, they have springs to assist the deployment, be careful playing with that. Sounds like your motor, or switch might be faulty. Let the dealer handle it, since its under warranty. Do check the obvious, lock knobs, arm obstructions etc. Let us know what failed when you find out. It helps the forum.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by Still Kickin

Couple things; the shocks are spring loaded under extreme force when in the retracted position, they have springs to assist the deployment, be careful playing with that. Sounds like your motor, or switch might be faulty. Let the dealer handle it, since its under warranty. Do check the obvious, lock knobs, arm obstructions etc. Let us know what failed when you find out. It helps the forum.

Not sure how it could be the motor or switch?

The OP said in his first post the awning unwinds but the arms don't come away from the side of the camper without assistance.

[Still Kickin]

Originally Posted by 5picker

Not sure how it could be the motor or switch?

The OP said in his first post the awning unwinds but the arms don't come away from the side of the camper without assistance.

The switch actuates the motor, which deploys the awning. Unless the springs in the awning arms are bad, or the spring in the other end of the awning tube isn't operating correctly, I vote its a switch/ motor issue, more chance of failure. The OP was asking for input. Just that, a suggestion. But, we will know when it gets fixed, thats the good thing about this forum, knowledge.

[OldCoot]

The arms need to be pried loose from the camper channels. They are either misaligned or bent or the struts are both bad.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by Still Kickin

... they have springs to assist the deployment, be careful playing with that...

The torsion spring is to assist in rolling the awning in, the spring opposes the motor when it is deploying.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by Still Kickin

The switch actuates the motor, which deploys the awning.....

Correct, which is why the awning is unrolling per the OP. Help me understand how the switch and/or motor could be the culprit?

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by 5picker

Correct, which is why the awning is unrolling per the OP. Help me understand how the switch and/or motor could be the culprit?

Can't be the switch or the motor. Both are doing what they are supposed to do.

[D-Man]

I had the reverse problem. My awning would roll out and the arms would extend, but one side kepted falling down to its lowest point so I couldn't even open the door. Long story short, I thought it was a bad strut, but after messing with it, it turned out to be the bolts holding the struts were way too loose, and when I tightened them up too tight my awning on that same side wouldn't extend, so after adjusting it back slightly, it opened and properly and stayed where it was supposed to be. I second not removing the bolts from your strut completely though, I did and after springing out violently, it took me forever to get it compressed enough to get the bolt back in.

[Decon Blue]

I thought the electric awnings didn't have the torsion springs in tube ??

[bob caldwell]

They do.... opposite end from motor
Dometic ones

[Decon Blue]

Ok. Huh I just looked at the parts schematic for mine, though it is a LCI and it does not show any ? Learn something every day.

[bob caldwell]

Main thing to know is how to manually operate if motor takes a dump

[Still Kickin]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

The torsion spring is to assist in rolling the awning in, the spring opposes the motor when it is deploying.

Coot, you are correct. Also, the electric motor in the barrel is only powerful enough to move the entire assembly "if" all potential energies stored in the opposing spring helper struts and the energy stored in the opposing torsion spring during unwind, are working within design spec. It essentially "floats " between the opposing forces, and the motors purpose is to allow travel with very little work from the motor itself. Unless it was installed "cocked" on the unit, which would be a binding issue,or his nuts are to tight, the problem most likely lies in the one with the most moving parts. Check the motors output first. You can tell if the motor is starting to fail by either a water seal leakage issue, or the switch is sending constant current due to the rocker switch not resetting at rest, by feeling the motor after operation. Wait a few minutes and it should be cool to the touch.Guess will all know when it gets fixed, huh.

[youroo]

I thought the arms were brought out by "Gas Struts " ! Not aware of spring struts? Youroo! !