What to Do When an Awning Won’t Go In

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Question


We have a retractable awning on our 2013 Redwood fifth wheel. We put the awning out but now can’t get it to go back in. Any ideas?

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Answer


Not knowing the type of awning, I’m guessing it’s a motor drive electric awning, could be A&E or Carefree of Colorado. Do you hear any type of clicking noise like the motor is trying to bring the awning in, or just dead silence?

If it’s clicking, it could be the gear stripped or even a binding and the motor tries but shuts down due to the binding. If there is no sound, then it could be a completely failed motor, or even just the switch. You would need to get a 12-volt source and disconnect the wire leads to the motor and test to see if it operates. If it does, then it’s in the wiring or switch. If not, it’s the motor. You should have directions in your owner’s manual on how to manually override the system and bring the awning back in. Typically it’s removing one or two screws near the motor and rolling it by hand with two people. Good luck!

Safe travels,
David Solberg


Related:
RV Slide Out Awning Installation
Tips on How to Clean an RV Awning

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134 Responses to “What to Do When an Awning Won’t Go In”

  1. Ron

    What to do when a slideout won’t go in Hello Ron, Great question! The ‘Ask an Expert’ section is currently for members of our online community. By becoming a member, you will have access to our expert knowledge. With your membership you will also receive discounts on products and hundreds of hours of Premium content. If you are interested in becoming a member, please click on the offer below: https://go.rvrepairclub.com/C43758 Sarah RV Repair Club Video Membership

  2. Dan Poff

    Norcold refrigerator keeps turning off after a cycle. The red light comes on. I restart the refrigerator or turn it off and on and it starts back up but the minute it cycles off it stays off and I did have a code blinking five times that said it was the gas valve and I checked it and that works properly. I put a new control board in it and it still does the same thing. It turns off after a cycle and you reset it and it works all right. I don't know what else I can do. Any help I had appreciate.

  3. Kenneth Heise

    Electric awning is slow, squeaks, and may be binding but so far still will roll in. Is there a way to lubricate them as it rolls well at first but keeps getting slower as it rolls in and at some point I fear it will stop.

  4. Frank Tavolacci

    Awning started rolling up in reverse direction. How do I reset it?

  5. JohnPurtle

    Which End of the awning tube goes into the motor side

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  7. Jim Marable

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  10. Marta Ware

    Where are the fuses/breakers for the automatic awning?