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03-10-2014, 10:26 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,443
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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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03-10-2014, 10:29 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,443
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Total length 9 1/2 ft long max.
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03-11-2014, 08:00 AM
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#3
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Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 17
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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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03-11-2014, 08:14 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,443
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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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04-12-2014, 10:59 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,443
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Finally got the awning out and was able to try my awning poles
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04-12-2014, 11:02 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,443
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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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04-12-2014, 11:22 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Clarksville Va.
Posts: 10,422
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mark0224
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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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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Coachmen M/H
Concord
2018 / 300 DSC
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04-12-2014, 11:27 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Clarksville Va.
Posts: 10,422
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mark0224
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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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......
__________________
Coachmen M/H
Concord
2018 / 300 DSC
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04-12-2014, 11:35 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,443
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gljurczyk
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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Mine hasn't got a knob to tighten anywhere on the arms.
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04-12-2014, 12:42 PM
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#10
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Mod free 5er
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Concord, NC
Posts: 24,702
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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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04-12-2014, 02:46 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Clarksville Va.
Posts: 10,422
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OldCoot
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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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?
__________________
Coachmen M/H
Concord
2018 / 300 DSC
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04-12-2014, 03:00 PM
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#12
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Mod free 5er
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Concord, NC
Posts: 24,702
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gljurczyk
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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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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04-12-2014, 03:45 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Waynesville
Posts: 14,428
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mark0224
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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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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04-12-2014, 03:48 PM
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#14
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Site Team - Lou
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: South Eastern PA
Posts: 23,268
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mark0224
Mine hasn't got a knob to tighten anywhere on the arms.
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Mark, if you contact Dometic, I believe they will still send you new slotted arms for free. The early units were not adjustable.
Ha! Tag Youroo!
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Lou & Freya the wonder dog
2008 GMC Sierra 3000HD Allison Duramax
2019 Flagstaff 8529FL
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04-12-2014, 03:53 PM
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#15
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Mod free 5er
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Concord, NC
Posts: 24,702
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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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04-12-2014, 03:53 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Idaho
Posts: 9,839
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__________________
2016 F350 6.7L LB CC Reese 28K 2014 Chaparral Lite 266sab
"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." 2014 19 days camping 2015 17 days camping201620 days camping
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04-12-2014, 04:03 PM
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#17
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Mod free 5er
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Concord, NC
Posts: 24,702
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ford Idaho
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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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04-14-2014, 09:53 PM
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#18
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Iowa
Posts: 44
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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?
Sent from my XT901 using Forest River Forums mobile app
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2013 Grey Wolf 29BH
2009 Chevy Silverado 1500
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04-15-2014, 06:19 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Brookings
Posts: 561
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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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04-15-2014, 08:34 AM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,443
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Just sent an email to my dealer will see if they respond.
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