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Old 03-10-2014, 10:26 PM   #1
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First Attempt at Awning poles

My first attempt At Awning poles. Made 3 because I Have a long awning and wanted a center support. Used Harbor Freight's cargo bars as most of this and a piece of PVC to make a cradle. A ratchet strap will go over the awning and connect on the back side of the pole. On the other side it will go down and hook to a spring from an old trampoline and that connects to a dog tie out. The spring acts to absorb the shock from a gust of wind allowing some give.
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Old 03-10-2014, 10:29 PM   #2
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Total length 9 1/2 ft long max.
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Old 03-11-2014, 08:00 AM   #3
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I like the idea of the spring, making your own "weak spot" is a great idea. Let me kow how they work for you, I'm in the market to make my own.
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Old 03-11-2014, 08:14 AM   #4
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On my old trailer I had a manual awning and used the ratchet strap and spring and they worked great together.
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Old 04-12-2014, 10:59 AM   #5
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Finally got the awning out and was able to try my awning poles
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Old 04-12-2014, 11:02 AM   #6
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I do have a question about my electric awning? Some have mentioned being able to tilt theirs and mine doesn't seem to have any way to do this.
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Old 04-12-2014, 11:22 AM   #7
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I do have a question about my electric awning? Some have mentioned being able to tilt theirs and mine doesn't seem to have any way to do this.
Do you know where that little black knob is that you tighten down? Pull the side that you want down and tighten the black knob. It will pull down easy and leave the other all the way out. That side will hold it full out and other will be tilted as you want. You really only need a slight slope 2" is plenty it will not hold water. I make it run to the outside end away from the door way........ Thats how I do it even with poles attached.
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Old 04-12-2014, 11:27 AM   #8
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On my old trailer I had a manual awning and used the ratchet strap and spring and they worked great together.
wish I still had the manual, They where a lot better and held up in wind. If you wanted poles just pull them from the bracket that they sat in on the trailer. The metal was also a lot stronger. Never had a problem with them......
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Old 04-12-2014, 11:35 AM   #9
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Do you know where that little black knob is that you tighten down? Pull the side that you want down and tighten the black knob. It will pull down easy and leave the other all the way out. That side will hold it full out and other will be tilted as you want. You really only need a slight slope 2" is plenty it will not hold water. I make it run to the outside end away from the door way........ Thats how I do it even with poles attached.
Mine hasn't got a knob to tighten anywhere on the arms.
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Old 04-12-2014, 12:42 PM   #10
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What year is your trailer? My 08 Flagstaff didn't have any adjustments either. I just cut 2" off the end of the factory arm and got an automatic 6" drop on that end. Never affected the rolling of the awning either. Later in 08, Dometic/A&E came out with the adjustable arm which they would provide for free. My 12 Flagstaff has both arms adjustable and I never tighten them other than just enough to keep from loosing the knobs.
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Old 04-12-2014, 02:46 PM   #11
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What year is your trailer? My 08 Flagstaff didn't have any adjustments either. I just cut 2" off the end of the factory arm and got an automatic 6" drop on that end. Never affected the rolling of the awning either. Later in 08, Dometic/A&E came out with the adjustable arm which they would provide for free. My 12 Flagstaff has both arms adjustable and I never tighten them other than just enough to keep from loosing the knobs.
hay Old Coot he has a 2009 Flagstaff. I didn't know that back then there was no adjustment? How do you let it in and out or is just fixed like you said? Just a question. Where did you get 6" drop your talking about. Do you remember or did you make it in your shop?.....Your seem to be the best help for him might save his awning......We are just sitting around the..... you see once I set mine with poles and everything I do it different I tighten that nut?
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Old 04-12-2014, 03:00 PM   #12
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hay Old Coot he has a 2009 Flagstaff. I didn't know that back then there was no adjustment? How do you let it in and out or is just fixed like you said? Just a question. Where did you get 6" drop your talking about. Do you remember or did you make it in your shop?.....Your seem to be the best help for him might save his awning......We are just sitting around the..... you see once I set mine with poles and everything I do it different I tighten that nut?
The original Dometic/A&E awnings were NOT adjustable. When I did my alteration, I just cut 2" off the motor end arm and got the 6" drop which is what I wanted. I measured all the pivot points on the awning and did a layout on my cad system to determine how much to cut. I decided if it didn't work, Mardy could tig weld it back together. As you can see from the pictures, there were no adjustments. Dometic/A&E got a bunch of complaints and thus came up with the adjustable arms. 1st picture shows the slope after cutting the 2" off. OP must have an 08 awning.
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Old 04-12-2014, 03:45 PM   #13
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I do have a question about my electric awning? Some have mentioned being able to tilt theirs and mine doesn't seem to have any way to do this.
Mark did you buy the unit New? Back (Then) A&E knew they screwed up and had a (TILT Arm Kit) that was Free,but you had to ASK for it! The dealer would put it on. I think they stoped the offer after they came standard with Tilt.Youroo!!
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Old 04-12-2014, 03:48 PM   #14
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Mine hasn't got a knob to tighten anywhere on the arms.
Mark, if you contact Dometic, I believe they will still send you new slotted arms for free. The early units were not adjustable.

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Old 04-12-2014, 03:53 PM   #15
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The first time I contacted Dometic engineering, they said it wasn't necessary that the awnings would automatically dump which they will do, usually after the main tube is bowed.
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Old 04-12-2014, 03:53 PM   #16
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Old 04-12-2014, 04:03 PM   #17
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Funny how they say it goes on the non motor end and now they put them on both ends.
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Old 04-14-2014, 09:53 PM   #18
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I have the same issue with my '13 grey wolf, no "tilt" option. It dumps water periodically. I think my awning is a carefree Colorado, so it must be built differently?

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Old 04-15-2014, 06:19 AM   #19
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Dometic will not send you the awning arm....you have to go to a dealer instead. That is what I did. The dealer I went to had a bunch in stock and they were free. Takes about 15 minutes to install and works just great.
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Old 04-15-2014, 08:34 AM   #20
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Just sent an email to my dealer will see if they respond.
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