Awning lock

[OldCoot]

After reading about the horror stories about awnings coming unfurled on the highway and looking at various commercial locks, I decided that I needed to come up with some way to lock the awning. This serves dual purposes as it prevents the awning from unrolling in case something happens and the motor releases and it prevents any accidental signal from the remote control that was an ingenious modification shared by f1100turbo. With this lock, there is no need for an awning electical shutoff as the motor will not overcome the lock.

Additional pictures: Forest River Forums - dunnnc's Album: Awning lock

[wagon52]

Have thought about an awning lock. Question- could you drill a hole through the awning arms and put a pin through to secure it?

[JFM-jr]

I have a manual awning I just put a zip tie around the top of each leg and cut them off the next trip when setting up again.

[OldCoot]

Where would you drill the hole in the arm? My thoughts are the arms are flimsy enough without drilling another hole. The only way I saw to lock the roller is the roller itself which would require a ladder. I went the way I did as it only required drilling a hole in the motor end tube hub and tapping it to 3/8-16 unc. The rod/turnbuckle unhooks and will be put in the storage area while camping or hooked on the poles.

[wagon52]

Originally Posted by dunnnc

Where would you drill the hole in the arm? My thoughts are the arms are flimsy enough without drilling another hole. The only way I saw to lock the roller is the roller itself which would require a ladder. I went the way I did as it only required drilling a hole in the motor end tube hub and tapping it to 3/8-16 unc. The rod/turnbuckle unhooks and will be put in the storage area while camping or hooked on the poles. I

Not sure, I'm at work and unable to look at my awning. Just a question. I like your mod and wish I had the capability to do it as well. Looks nice!

[miatared]

Originally Posted by wagon52

Have thought about an awning lock. Question- could you drill a hole through the awning arms and put a pin through to secure it?

Now that's an idea, I have a manual awning and it could make sense.

Anyone tried this?

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by miatared

Now that's an idea, I have a manual awning and it could make sense.

Anyone tried this?

Locking the arms will not stop the awning itself from unrolling. I have seen a hose clamp and a picture hanger put on the roller and an aluminum storm door bottoming spring with chain used. By whatever means possible, the roller must be locked to prevent the possibility of having a sail on your trailer.

[Snowsail]

Originally Posted by dunnnc

For less than $20 and less than 2 hrs work, why be the 1st?

I used Velcro, worked great and was a fast and solid tie down.

[TURBS]

Dunnnc, how did you attach lower end of bar or is it removable?

[OldCoot]

The bottom is just the straightened out eye of the turnbuckle that I covered with a pc of the 3/8 pex. Just hooks on the bottom of the awning wall channel.

[OldCoot]

Does anyone else want one of these? Have had a request to make one and if anyone else wants one, I just as well make more while setting up.