Windjammer Awning not retracting

[cobiker]

2011 3008W Windjammer, awning has worked find since we purchased it over 2 years ago, used. But our last trip this past weekend, started having issues.

Would go out fine, but would not want to retract without some assistance... Our battery was fully charged. Any ideas what might be going on?

Many thanks,

[aceinspp]

Hopefully you did not forget this time to loosen the awning knobs that prevent from lift in the wind. Motor could be getting weak. Later RJD

[D_B Travelers]

I believe FR has a recall on awning motors currently. You might get the serial number of the awning if you can find one; I don't know where it would be without taking the awning apart. Or get the VIN number for your trailer and call FR to see if it is on the list. Other than that, it may just be the motor going out. Hope not.

[cobiker]

Originally Posted by aceinspp

Hopefully you did not forget this time to loosen the awning knobs that prevent from lift in the wind. Motor could be getting weak. Later RJD

I know what you mean about if the awning knobs have been tightened down. That wasn't the case. I just tried the awning last night and it worked fine, both out and back in. I'm confused now as to why the day before, it had issues.

I did do some review of the owners manual and will do the following to see if that helps.

Hardware Maintenance
1.
 Do NOT use strong chemicals or abrasives to clean parts, as their protective surfaces will be damaged.
Clean awning hardware (as needed) with a mild surface cleaner.
2.
 Do NOT use silicone sprays near labels. Otherwise, the label’s adhesive bond to product surfaces could weaken.
Apply silicone spray lubricant as needed to keep the fabric roller tube assembly’s moving parts operating smoothly.
3.
Lubricate all sliding surfaces of arm assemblies with silicone spray as needed.

[davryn]

I have a 2012 2102 Windjammer and had a similar problem. Turned out some moisture got into the tube containing the motor and it froze up. We twisted the tube manually and at the same time hit the retract switch, after spraying WD40 into the small holes at the front end. After going back and forth a couple times, it freed up and now works fine again.

[dcheatwood]

Good job.

[redcloud1]

Can I inquire as to what years are being covered under the recalls? Ours is a 2015 and sometimes the awning seems to have trouble wanting to come back in.

[D_B Travelers]

Hi redcloud1! I just did a Google "Forest River Awning Recall" and found articles by NTHSA, RV Business, and Consumer's Digest. The NTHSA listed the model numbers affected; Rockwood was listed but not Windjammers specifically. AND, it was not the motors as I remembered, it was a pin that can shear and let the awning unfurl unexpectedly...a BAD thing.

[Ford1]

I am only aware of a recall that was issued about two years ago by Dometic for the A9100 Series. The motors did not run slow or lock up, they would arbitrarily release the awning, possible while driving. It was considered such a safety hazard that Dometic contacted known owners and asked them NOT to move the vehicles. They actually sent a service tech out to my home and replaced it there! The recall was only for a short production run of about 3-4 months and the serial numbers were published on their website.

[redcloud1]

Okay thanks for the info

[Edmund]

Have a 2013 Windjammer. Awning does not want go in or out on battery power alone. (They are fully charged with a solar panel). When converter is on it works fine.

[Grn_Mtns]

Hi, Edmund,
Sounds like a low voltage issue.I would unplug from shore power & look at the battery voltage an hour or so after the sun is down and see it is still 12.6 or better without much of a load and what the voltmeter reads when bringing in the awning.Try the same plugged in and watch voltmeter..... Could be time to change the batteries.
Our 13 awning has always been slow coming in since day one and dealer claims that is how they are. Good Luck!

[aceinspp]

Yes they work slow. Your solar may not be fully chargeing the batteries. Laterr RJD