Trystan Casey
Electric RV awnings are a great addition to any RV, providing shade and shelter from light rain. However, they are prone to misalignment and can be flimsy in windy conditions. To stabilize an electric RV awning, it is important to first level and stabilize the RV itself. This ensures that the awning has enough clearance to extend completely and does not come into contact with any obstructions. Additionally, regular maintenance and adjustments can help stabilize the awning by addressing issues such as loose screws, worn-out fabric, and motor problems. Some RV owners have also shared DIY solutions to enhance the stability of electric awnings, such as using support poles or adding extra supports to the structure.
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What You'll Learn
Check the motor and its fitting
If your electric RV awning starts wobbling or bucking while moving, you should check the motor and its fitting. The fitting is typically a piece of plastic or metal attached to the drive shaft of the awning's motor on one side, with the other side screwed in around the bar that the canvas winds around.
To check the motor and its fitting, start by observing the awning's movement. If you notice any unusual movements, such as wobbling or bucking, it's a good idea to inspect the motor and its fitting. Begin by locating the motor and its fitting. The motor is typically located at the front or rear end of the awning, and the fitting is attached to its drive shaft.
Once you've located the motor and fitting, carefully examine the fitting. Look for any signs of looseness or instability. If the fitting can be easily jiggled or moved by hand, it may indicate that the screws connecting the fitting to the drive shaft and the bar are loose. Use the appropriate tools to tighten these screws, ensuring not to overtighten them as they are usually made of plastic or aluminum and can break or become misshapen.
After tightening the screws, test the awning's movement again. If the wobbling or bucking persists, proceed to check the arm mechanisms for any loose screws. Tighten any loose screws you find, as this could be contributing to the instability of the awning.
Additionally, it's important to consult your awning's user manual for specific instructions and guidelines. Some awnings may have unique features or requirements, so referring to the manual can provide valuable information for maintaining and stabilizing your electric RV awning.
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Tighten screws on the fitting
If your electric RV awning is not functioning properly, you can try tightening the screws on the fitting. The fitting is the piece of plastic or metal that is attached to the awning's electric motor's drive shaft on one side and screwed around the bar that the canvas winds around on the other.
To do this, first open and unfurl your awning. Check the railing that holds the fabric in place at the RV end of the awning. You should see screws near the edges of the fabric, attaching it to the railing. If the fitting looks loose or can be easily moved by hand, use a screwdriver to tighten the screws connecting the two. Be careful not to overtighten, as the materials are usually plastic or aluminium and can break or become misshapen.
If you need to fix screw holes that have been torn or elongated, you will need to drill new holes in the awning rail and fill them with sealant before screwing in new screws. First, drill new holes in the awning rail and into the side of the coach in between the stripped screw locations. Next, fill the new holes with sealant and screw in new screws. Once the sealant has dried, remove the old screws and fill the old holes with sealant. Finally, run a bead of sealant across the top of the awning rail where it meets the side of the coach for extra protection.
If you are adjusting the awning legs, you may need to remove screws from the base of the channel to allow the support arm to hang freely.
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Check for loose arm mechanism screws
If your RV awning is acting up, there are several things you can do to get it back in working order. One of the most common issues is a loose awning, which can cause the awning to wobble from side to side or buck up and down. To fix this, you'll want to start by checking the motor and its fitting. If the fitting is loose, simply tighten the screws connecting the two.
However, if the motor and fitting seem to be in order, the next step is to check the arm mechanism for any loose screws. To do this, first, open and unfurl the awning fully. Then, locate the railing that holds the fabric in place at the RV end of the awning. There should be screws near the edges of the fabric affixing it to the railing. Once located, carefully unscrew them, being mindful of the tension in the extended awning. As you move the fabric over, you should notice the arms also moving to the side. This method can help you set the arms back into their proper track and square them up with the railing.
In some cases, the issue may be with the awning fabric itself. Over time, the fabric can stretch, causing closing alignment issues. To fix this, you can adjust where the awning fabric attaches to the RV roof. Locate the tongue and groove attachment and remove the single screw that stops the fabric from sliding in the groove. Then, slide the fabric in the direction the arms need to go to align.
If the issue is with elongated screw holes, you can fix this by drilling new holes between the existing mounting holes in the rail. Run a couple of screws into the stripped-out holes to hold the rail in place. For a more permanent solution, you can secure the arms with zip ties or ropes, drill new holes, and then run new screws into the holes, tightening them down. Finally, apply a bead of sealer or silicone on top of the awning rail for extra leakage protection.
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Adjust the fabric by unscrewing and re-screwing
Adjusting the fabric of an electric RV awning by unscrewing and re-screwing is a fairly easy fix. This problem is usually caused by the fabric stretching or wearing down over time.
With the awning open and unfurled, look for the railing holding the fabric in place at the RV end of the awning. There should be screws near the edges of the fabric, affixing it to the railing. Once you've found these, carefully unscrew them without yanking too hard, as there will be tension in the awning. As you move the fabric over gradually, you should notice the arms also moving to the side.
Now, you can begin to re-screw the fabric into place. Screw the awning's canvas back into the railing, ensuring it is properly lined up. If it looks adjusted, congratulations! You've successfully adjusted your electric RV awning. However, if it still isn't lined up, repeat the process by opening the awning, unscrewing the fabric, and readjusting until everything looks correct.
If you're adjusting the awning due to a tear or damage, you'll need to replace the fabric. First, unscrew and remove the bolts holding the fabric in place. Then, carefully lift the awning away from the RV and place it somewhere safe. Next, detach the awning roller by removing the tiny cap on the back end of the awning's arm and inserting a screwdriver into the hole to lock the spring. After that, slide out the old fabric and replace it with new fabric. Reinstall the end caps on the roller tube and secure them with screws. Finally, test the awning by retracting and extending it to ensure the new fabric is aligned and functions smoothly.
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Use support poles to stabilise
Using support poles to stabilise your electric RV awning is a great way to ensure it remains sturdy and secure. Support poles are an effective solution to the problem of weak and flimsy electric awnings, which can be vulnerable to wind damage.
There are several options available for purchasing support poles, with some companies offering adjustable height poles that can accommodate various awning sizes and heights. These poles are designed to be compatible with all brands and models of vertical arm awnings with a roller tube, providing a universal solution for RV owners. The poles are typically secured to the ground using stakes and tension straps, which help to stabilise the awning and prevent it from lifting or dropping.
When purchasing support poles, it is important to consider the specific requirements of your awning. For example, some awnings may require a certain amount of pitch or slope to ensure proper water runoff. It is also important to follow the manufacturer's instructions for proper installation, use, and maintenance of the support poles.
In addition to support poles, some RV owners also use tie-down straps to further stabilise their awnings. These straps can be purchased from camping stores and help to keep the awning stable in windy conditions. When used correctly, support poles and tie-down straps can provide peace of mind and allow RV owners to enjoy the benefits of their awnings without worry.
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Frequently asked questions
Ensure your RV is parked, levelled, and stabilized before extending your awning. You can also purchase or make awning support poles to help stabilize your electric awning.
Electric awnings lack the rigid "triangle" support of manual awnings. This means the roller is susceptible to wind and can easily be "lifted".
First, locate the awning switch inside the RV on your control panel. Push the 'Extend' side of the switch to roll the awning out. Watch the awning to ensure it extends evenly and doesn’t make contact with any obstructions. With the awning open and unfurled, look for screws near the edges of the fabric, affixing it to the railing. Unscrew these and freely adjust the fabric.
If your awning fabric is stretched, you will need to replace it.
If your electric awning motor is broken, you may need to switch to a manual awning.
