Dometic awning question

[keith52]

A little help please. I have the Dometic 9100E electric awning and a question about the black adjusting knob on the awning arm. When the awning is out, should the knob be loose or tight? Then when ready to retract, loose or tight? I can't get much out of the manual.

[SeaDog]

At my checkout they told me to leave those loose unless pulling the awning down to drain or shade more then tighten but loosen before retracting

[TURBS]

Always loose when retracting.
Tight any other time.


2008 2500hd Duramax
2015 Columbus 320RS
2016 nights camped "0"
2015 nights camped "34"

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by SeaDog

At my checkout they told me to leave those loose unless pulling the awning down to drain or shade more then tighten but loosen before retracting

X2 unless you use awning poles and tie downs, then I always leave mine loose. In fact, I never tighten them.

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

X2 unless you use awning poles and tie downs, then I always leave mine loose. In fact, I never tighten them.

X2

[keith52]

Thanks guys

[Flybob]

As mentioned above loose unless holding down a corner for rain. I purchased two of these( see photo) and attach them with a rubber band whenever I tighten one. The 5" size works great. That way when you have to run out in the middle of the night to roll up the awning, you do not forget. You can also use one on the antenna crank up( if you have that model) if you forget to lower it before travel.

[Tireman9]

It looks like you may have one of the newer non-adjustable awning arms. The rivet I see in your picture looks like my awning. The knob makes no difference as there is no slid movement possible. I cannot lower the outer end of the awning as the arm length is fixed.

I have asked Dometic about this but can't get a clear answer on why some awnings have the riveted arms and some do not.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by Tireman9

It looks like you may have one of the newer non-adjustable awning arms. The rivet I see in your picture looks like my awning. The knob makes no difference as there is no slid movement possible. I cannot lower the outer end of the awning as the arm length is fixed.

I have asked Dometic about this but can't get a clear answer on why some awnings have the riveted arms and some do not.

Dometic sent adjustable arms to dealers to give to folks with awnings that did not adjust. I gave mine away because I shortened one arm 2" and got a permanent tilt on my old 08Flagstaff.

[Tireman9]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

Dometic sent adjustable arms to dealers to give to folks with awnings that did not adjust. I gave mine away because I shortened one arm 2" and got a permanent tilt on my old 08Flagstaff.

Is there a program letter or some documentation on the arm change? I doubt I will get a new arm just by asking my dealer.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by Tireman9

Is there a program letter or some documentation on the arm change? I doubt I will get a new arm just by asking my dealer.

I don't remember, it was 6 yrs ago when I got mine directly from Dometic after bitching directly to Dometic about what a poor design they had after making awnings for umpteen years.

[keith52]

I doubt that I would ever need to tilt an end for runoff. Seems like there is plenty of angle, unlike some awnings that seem to be very flat with no pitch

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by keith52

I doubt that I would ever need to tilt an end for runoff. Seems like there is plenty of angle, unlike some awnings that seem to be very flat with no pitch

I think you will be surprised if you leave it out in the rain. Mine had about the same pitch as yours and it puddled one time, took my son and me about 4 hrs to remove and straighten. Now I always tilt it at least 6" and tie it down with poles and ratchet straps.

[bubbles]

Originally Posted by keith52

I doubt that I would ever need to tilt an end for runoff. Seems like there is plenty of angle, unlike some awnings that seem to be very flat with no pitch

You might be right if you back roll the awning till the fringe hangs directly on the bottom of the roller, which is the way it should be deployed. That way there is no barrier (roller) to pool behind. Of course, as OldCoot says, it may pool anyway no matter what you do.

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by keith52

I doubt that I would ever need to tilt an end for runoff. Seems like there is plenty of angle, unlike some awnings that seem to be very flat with no pitch

If you don't pitch it it will pool in the middle.
[emoji16] you've been warned [emoji15]

[SilverbackMel]

Listen to Turbs or buy extra kleenex for your tears. The awning will pool.

[dalford]

Originally Posted by keith52

A little help please. I have the Dometic 9100E electric awning and a question about the black adjusting knob on the awning arm. When the awning is out, should the knob be loose or tight? Then when ready to retract, loose or tight? I can't get much out of the manual.

You can pitch it. Loosen knobs when opening and closing. Once open (make sure you don't over open as described in an earlier post) then grab one of the extension arms and pull down against the piston pressure and it will slide towards the RV. Once you get it tilted to where you want, tighten the knob to keep it in place...

[Tireman9]

Originally Posted by dalford

You can pitch it. Loosen knobs when opening and closing. Once open (make sure you don't over open as described in an earlier post) then grab one of the extension arms and pull down against the piston pressure and it will slide towards the RV. Once you get it tilted to where you want, tighten the knob to keep it in place...

Good idea in theory. It too bad Dometic felt it necessary to rivit the arm part so no adjustment is possible.

[dalford]

Originally Posted by Tireman9

Good idea in theory. It too bad Dometic felt it necessary to rivit the arm part so no adjustment is possible.

Looks just like my arm. That is not a rivet but a stop to keep the arm from coming off. . The slot in the arm slides around that stop and you can slide it towards the RV then tighten the knob..

[keith52]

Yesterday I rolled out the awning and pulled down on the forward arm. Instant pitch. Thanks for the replies.