Wind out awning arm bolts

[Chris_569]

Hi, I’ve search for this but not found anything, apologies if it has been asked elsewhere.

The twin bolts holding the awning arms to the casing behave differently front and back. At the front the top bolt (circled) moves in and out of the van side slightly with the arm pivoting about the bottom bolt. I assume this is to allow some variation in angle of the arm from horizontal.

The rear top bolt doesn’t do this, it stays in one position. The result is the awning housing and bracket at the rear flex and twist lots. It also seems to mean the awning doesn’t quite roll in equally.

Are they supposed to behave the same front and rear? If so which is correct?

Thank you.

 

[Perfectos]

The awning should roll out equally, I would suggest the rears are too tight, they are nylock nuts , try just literally undoing them a few degrees to create a little less friction , do one at a time. Top first.

There should not be any discernible movement in the arms at pivot point, (but they do require the top to be able to move a little) so the front may be a little too loose. (Too loose will cause the arms to tap against the housing when driving)

You will have to adjust a trial and error until the awning rolls in and out. One bolt at a time / one side at a time.

Edit: try some silicone spray to the nylon washers and the arm pivots (do not use oil as it will stain and hold dirt )

 

[Chris_569]

The awning should roll out equally, I would suggest the rears are too tight, they nylock nuts , try just literally undoing them a few degrees to create a little less friction , do one at a time. Top first.

There should not be any discernible movement in the arms at pivot point, (but they do require the tiptop to be able to move a little) so the front may be a little too loose. (Too loose will cause the arms to tap against the housing when driving)

You will have to adjust a trial and error until the awning rolls in and out. One bolt at a time / one side at a time.

Thanks, my suspicions confirmed. Will try some very cautious adjusting of the bolts.

 

[Perfectos]

Oem instructions- not a lot of use

https://www.thule.com/-/s/approved/std.lang.all/58/18/675818.pdf

 

[Perfectos]

This simply says adjust as required !

https://lci-support-doc.s3.amazonaws.com/technical-information-sheets/awnings/thule/ccd-0008884.pdf

 

[Perfectos]

Report back to help others

 

[Chris_569]

Took a look today. I have adjusted the bolts so both sides are now behaving in the same way. The front arm still hangs lower when the awning is extended the initial 0.5m or so from the van before the legs are put down. Haven't managed to work out why yet. The closing seems slightly better, although the front still doesn't fully shut. I guess it might need fully extending and then rolling back in, but it is too windy here today for me to attempt that on my own. Seems quieter when driving, less rattling which may have been the front arm banging on the housing.

 

[Perfectos]

Sounds like you're making progress.

Do not make any large changes.

It sounds like you may need to tighten the uppers on the side that is saggy

Post a picture og the "front still doesn't fully shut"

 

[Chris_569]

Sounds like you're making progress.

Do not make any large changes.

It sounds like you may need to tighten the uppers on the side that is saggy

Post a picture og the "front still doesn't fully shut"

Photos of front and back for comparison.

View attachment IMG_5400.jpeg

View attachment IMG_5401.jpeg

View attachment IMG_5402.jpeg

View attachment IMG_5403.jpeg

 

[TripleBee]

To wind in equally front to back, you need to adjust the front arm a little bit to the front. You can do this by loosening that metric 10mm bolt on your pictures. I have adjusted mine a few times already, but it still isn't flush as I want it to be. I will have to give it a few tries more.

 

[Lambeth Cali]

How old is the van?

Ours is 2008. The awning has been excellent for years but twice recently it had a whack. Once a big gust of wind nearly blew it off. And last summer a huge hail storm piled so much hail in it it left a hole. It’s now not quite as perfect winding in and out but after thinking about replacing the whole unit, I’ve decided it’s fine for what we use it for.

Yours has possibly had a few gusts etc.

 

[Chris_569]

How old is the van?

Ours is 2008. The awning has been excellent for years but twice recently it had a whack. Once a big gust of wind nearly blew it off. And last summer a huge hail storm piled so much hail in it it left a hole. It’s now not quite as perfect winding in and out but after thinking about replacing the whole unit, I’ve decided it’s fine for what we use it for.

Yours has possibly had a few gusts etc.

2008, same as yours. It probably has seen it fair share of gusts etc. Before I bought it the bolt on the front holding the aluminium bracket to the side rail had pulled through. I repaired this so it is properly supported. However the awning seems fine, although I guess something may be subtly bent.

 

[Lambeth Cali]

Ours is for basic light rain protection and sun protection. It does an ok job. It’s tempting to buy a new one but seems overkill plus I’d probably then be winding it away at every gust.

 

[WelshGas]

Ours is for basic light rain protection and sun protection. It does an ok job. It’s tempting to buy a new one but seems overkill plus I’d probably then be winding it away at every gust.

You could just replace the material?