Awning won’t close

[68camaro]

Tried to close awning tonight and it will not close. The part you turn spins but looks like barrel not catching.

Any ideas on how to close without talking whole thing off?

[chin_k]

This mechanical issue is tough. I will wait and see if other people can offer you a better option, since I am hesitate to tell you this, ...it can cause more problem if you can't put it back together... you can try to open up the mechanism and see if you can turn the gears inside directly.

[sm350bl]

I was just playing with mine a couple days ago for the first time, I had the opposite problem at first, I couldn't get it to deploy. It was spinning with the handle but nothing, I really thought it was broken. However I went and got a step-stool and played around with it. Seems to be stuck. Once I got it loosened up it started to come out. I wonder if you have somebody kind grab the end and help it in while you crank it? Might grab and start again on its own? Otherwise I fear you may be looking ad pulling some cover off the mechanism to put eyes on the problem area and diagnose.

[Blue~Go]

I have a vague recollection that someone posted about this "gear" issue and how to fix (?). Or maybe you already searched and didn't find it.

On the awning topic, one thing I found out (back before the helpful/knowledgeable Fiamma folks were all killed) is that they no longer make the "flamingo legs" part that unfolds under the cloth as you deploy it. So I was advised to make sure to keep those joints lubed (I used Sailkote) so they don't break.

Other parts are now available from Fiamma but you basically have to know what you want (last I heard anyway).

[68camaro]

As update.....after spending alot of time on it, I could not get roller to catch and retract awning, so I took down and will order parts to rebuild, hopefully I can avoid needing new one. I think its a gear issue, even taking end cap off and trying to turn it with 1/2 ratchet wouldn't budge it.

[Astrodokk]

Just curious, did you get the awning to work correctly? Was it the gear or just stuck and cleaned out?
Mine deploys well enough but doesn't quite close up completely. Gonna take it down to check it out better, since I have to anyway due to the fact that the holders on the Chinook body are placed in the wrong location. The awning is a bit too forward. The rear leg holder is installed above the genny compartment and I can't prop the door open bc of it.

[68camaro]

Just curious, did you get the awning to work correctly? Was it the gear or just stuck and cleaned out?
Mine deploys well enough but doesn't quite close up completely. Gonna take it down to check it out better, since I have to anyway due to the fact that the holders on the Chinook body are placed in the wrong location. The awning is a bit too forward. The rear leg holder is installed above the genny compartment and I can't prop the door open bc of it.

Yes, the gear assembly was seized on drivers side. I took down and got new part plus a few others. You can use a rachet wrench to try and see if gear is turning properly.