At Newbury with Funsters. Awning wound out but can't wind it in!

[StitchUp]

Managed to wind our awning out, wind picked up, started winding it in and ........ stuck

Any suggestions as travelling on a motorway with the awning out might present some problems

 

[Wannabee]

Try winding out fully again and then feed back in carefully?

 

[StitchUp]

Before I do and get it stuck all the way out what's your thinking?

 

[Swifter]

Which manufacturer is it Thule , Fiamma or Dometic ?

 

[StitchUp]

Fiamma

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[AndyPK]

Does it wind out at all, or is the winding mechanism jammed….?

 

[StitchUp]

I do think the mechanism might be the problem on the winding end - it seems to jam and then slip

 

[Conal]

Our awning has two bars that bend in the middle. When trying to wind in the awning on one occasion one of the bars would not wind in. It is important to note that the awning gets tight just before it is fully out, and it was at this point, just a few inches wound in, that it jammed. I wound it fully out again and then helped the bar bend with my weight behind it (on a stepstool). Once it was past the tight point it wound in OK.

 

[StitchUp]

I've got nothing to lose

 

[AndyPK]

The winding pole isn’t damaged is it……?

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[StitchUp]

Okay, so I wound out and as I was doing so the drive mechanism seemed ti be slipping - clunk,clunk, clunk! I noticed there's a 1/2 inch drive on the end of the roller shaft, I tried a ratchet from my socket set but seemed to require to much weight to turn it!

Not had this issue before.

 

[AndyPK]

Do you have a photo of the drive…..?

 

[StitchUp]

Unfortunately it seems to be well and truly jammed! Just going to fabricate some guys so we don't fly away.

 

[StitchUp]

Can't turn it with a ratchet driver!

 

[AndyPK]

Is it an F45?
Does this diagram help….?

https://www.caravanparts.com.au/assets/images/store/exploded-diagrams/awnings/7-F45plus_250-400-850.jpg

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[StitchUp]

Thanks Andy, I'll have a good look. At worst I might have to dismantle it!

 

[jockaneezer]

What's the black "centipede" I've highlighted in the picture, it's not the remains of the bevel gear out of the winder gearbox is it ?

Try removing the winder gearbox (item 20 on Andy's download) and see if you can find it in manually ?

 

[gus-lopez]

View attachment 617408

Can't turn it with a ratchet driver!

You won't with the gear box attached. remove the gearbox by undoing the 3 recessed screws. then put a socket with ratchet on the square end & wind it in. Throw gearbox in bin & fit a new one.

** remember that with gear box removed you will have to put a strap, bic ties or something around the casing to stop it unrolling until a new gear box is fitted.

 

[StitchUp]

jockaneezer
it's a peice of fern

Trying to work out how the 3:1 gear (red) is held on. Not having a ladder makes things difficult!

 

[Spanner]

This maybe helpfull

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjY6Z6yz9r3AhWIi1wKHaQMDyQQtwJ6BAgeEAI&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DGC_c-rqi-Js&usg=AOvVaw3q-DpklFYKqgppAuUcSC-j

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[jollyrodger]

And if you have to buy a new winder box be poash and get a 12v one with remote

 

[StitchUp]

Sounds good . Will have to find the correct part number.

I guess gearbox problems are quite common. Will try and remove mine tomorrow.

Thanks to everyone who responded

If anyone with the Funsters at Newbury could lend me a ladder I'd be grateful

 

[meanders]

Ladder now at the marshals tent five rows ahead of you. Courtesy of Lee Fryer .

 

[StitchUp]

Lee Fryer
Thanks so much, I'll be down to collect soon

I usually bring enough tools & equipment to change an engine but not this time!

 

[DuxDeluxe]

And if you have to buy a new winder box be poash and get a 12v one with remote

I have an electric one (Thule omnistore) but it only works on EHU or with the inverter. Scared stiff it will stop working as the alternative crank handle looks very hard to use.

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[StitchUp]

I'd like to thank all the Funsters for their support in our time of need in particular meanders, Lee Fryer for the loan of the ladder and our 'neighbours' for lending a hand

The awning is now wound in by hand and secured for the journey home.

 

[StitchUp]

Just got home and first thing I did (after unpacking of course) was to dismantle the Fiamma gear or winch as it might be better known.

I think the problem is clear for all to see! Teethe on the cog are badly warn! Should be easy to fix with a replacement part

The driving cog is equally badly warn!

 

[TonyEmm]

Managed to wind our awning out, wind picked up, started winding it in and ........ stuck

Any suggestions as travelling on a motorway with the awning out might present some problems

Check the folding arms in the roof. One may need a helping hand to ‘unlock’ it….

 

[gckimber]

I do think the mechanism might be the problem on the winding end - it seems to jam and then slip

Just replaced the gearbox on my friend's Fiamma whist on holiday in Germany, had the same symptoms. He stripped the old one down after and found the gears damaged. New gearbox from Amazon.de £55 delivered free to the dhl collection point near our motorhome aire in 4 days.

 

[pxh38257]

It looks like your canopy is not tracking correctly. Last year ours got caught in a gust of wind and it snapped the fixing casting on one of the arms. I spoke to Fiamma in the uk and they sent me the required parts and talked me through the job.