hershey
Albuquerque,(fulltime) NM, USA
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Joined: 06/04/2003
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wny_pat wrote:spotrot wrote:After I was sure it was locked (i.e. the spool wouldn't rotate), I secured it in place with a metal coat hanger. I have a lock pin that goes thru the arms and locks them together. But I am not sure that it is the answer, especially considering what I have read around here. Think one needs a pin the locks into the spool.
That will only prevent the arms from being extended and bent. It will not stop the awning from unfurling. You have to make a positive effort to prevent the roller from turning to be of any value. Check Triker33's url for things that do/will work.
hershey - albuquerque, nm
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Deen
Vancouver, WA
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spotrot wrote:My apologies for bringing up a subject that apparantly is well-known to the old pros -- but it was an eye-opener for me. I've owned and driven Class A's since 1999, as have several friends, and never knew this potential deadly hazard existed.
Yep, you're right, very well known. I got "interviewed" over the phone by an attorney for a wrongful death suit after one of my posts on that problem here on the forum. In that case the awning was on a trailer and mounted on the drivers side of the rig. Mounted that way there would be NO latch at the front, it caught the wind, opened up and killed an oncoming RV driver.
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Gamoore
West Sacramento
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Since this appears to be such a big problem with any awning I do not understand why the awning manufactures don't provide an unfurling lock as part of every awning they sell. I sure would eliminate a lot of headaches for the end user
Had the same thing happen to me last July traveling from Stanley, Idaho to Twin Falls, Idaho. After the new awnig was installed I installed the Awning Clamp.
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dezertcamper
San Diego
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I never thought about the awaning unrolling itself. I do have those velcro straps around the arms though. I figured this would be enough. But after looking at the latch's shown in the prevoius links, I see what else should be looked at.
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supercub
Modesto CA
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Is this likely or could this happen with a powered awning??
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camperbuds3
NE Pennsylvania
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Joined: 08/23/2003
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Gamoore wrote:Since this appears to be such a big problem with any awning I do not understand why the awning manufactures don't provide an unfurling lock as part of every awning they sell. I sure would eliminate a lot of headaches for the end user...................
But then they wouldn't sell so many replacement awnings and parts.
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John Wayne
Long Beach, Ca
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You can make a awning lock for free using your awning pull down rod. I have explained it a few times on this site look it up for info. Sorry don't know how to pull it up to repost.
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emmmw
Virginia
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John Wayne's link
Hope this worked!
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Jerry_Keller
Southern California
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Awning unrolling happened to me, too. Luckily I figured it out before the roll ripped off the MH and killed someone behind me on the freeway (I15). As you can see, the awning arms are perfectly in place.
Quickest, safest place to stop was in the Vee of the freeway split.
Working on getting everything back in place.
Looks like it wasn't too far from breaking off and flying away behind me!
I've got an awning lock now!
Jerry Keller
2006 Bounder 35E, W22
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spotrot
Indian Rocks Beach, FL
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Thanks for all the posts; I'm checking them out.
From my limited experience, I'll agree that locking the arms is not sufficient.
When I get back to my RV I'll check John's solution.
And it is sad that the manufacturer's instructions did not say boo about making sure the ratchet lock/pawl is locked - or what the result could be. It would be so simple for the manufacturer to design a fool-proof safety lock.
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