Thule Omnistor awning - can't secure legs

[GrahamCardiff]

Hi Funsters
I think there may have been an earlier post on this, but thought I'd ask for current views. The Omnistor awning on my 2018 campervan is working correctly, but when I tried to lock the two legs via the securing clips I can't seem to lock the clips into position. I'm worried if I use any excessive force they might snap as they're made of plastic. Has anyone any experience - or a solution or ideas?
Thanks,
Graham

 

[Kannon Fodda]

I've found mine to require a surprising amount of force, scarily so. One requires a lot more effort than the other. But I'll give the legs a little waggle, just to make sure they have extended straight and square before trying to push the lever into place.

 

[cranky]

if you have any spray grease or even WD40 can make it a bit easier. they can be quite stiff.

 

[GrahamCardiff]

I've found mine to require a surprising amount of force, scarily so. One requires a lot more effort than the other. But I'll give the legs a little waggle, just to make sure they have extended straight and square before trying to push the lever into place.

thanks - have they ever snapped off?!

 

[Kannon Fodda]

Only had the van three weeks so haven't broken them yet! Even the dealer at the handover demo made remarks on how stiff it seemed.

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[TinaLes]

I had the same problem when we got the new van, first time out we went to a rally, wound out the Omnistore Awning, pulled down the legs, and then found the plastic clips were too tight, thought they would either snap off,or I was doing it wrong in bending the wrong way or simply missing a trick.
I asked a neighbour how to do it and he came over, and just pulled the clips harder that I would ever have imagined and they didnt snap off!
Been OK ever since, they are stronger than I imagined they were.

Les

 

[Nostrovia]

pulled the clips harder that I would ever have imagined and they didnt snap off!
Been OK ever since, they are stronger than I imagined they were.

Mine are the same, and initially I very gingerly pulled on the clips. They work fine, but I am concerned about the force needed. At least nobody (here) is reporting that they snap off.

They do seem very firmly secured, once the clip is closed. Which is just as well, as I have the storm guy rope things as well.

 

[peterc10]

Had ours almost 4 years and they are very stiff. But I have not yet broken them!

 

[Lenny HB]

Same here first couple of times we used it thought I was going to break them. A bit easier after the first few times.

 

[GrahamCardiff]

thanks everyone - reassuring messages! I might drop Thule an e mail and give them some free customer feedback as it seems to be a design problem that they should solve. Maybe they should at least not use plastic?

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[Scotch mist]

What problem, they work lol
My 1 week old van is the same , I was frightened to force them , still haven’t braved it yet
Off to France tomorrow so I’ll just need to be a big boy & force it ?

 

[GrahamCardiff]

What problem, they work lol
My 1 week old van is the same , I was frightened to force them , still haven’t braved it yet
Off to France tomorrow so I’ll just need to be a big boy & force it ?

I wonder if Thule know about all the awning-related anxiety they’re causing? ?

 

[Gromett]

if you have any spray grease or even WD40 can make it a bit easier. they can be quite stiff.

Can I humbly suggest you try Silicon spray instead of WD40. WD40 is fantastic for what it was designed for which is Water Displacement, hence the name. However it evaporates really quickly.
It is also good for releasing rusted nuts. BUT it is absolutely no good for long term lubrication of moving parts. Silicon spray is king in this area, from locks to window slider it rules.
Just avoid getting it on body work that may need painting in the future.

Also, silicon spray is great for your cassette slider. It also helps prevent poo sticking to the bowl

 

[Parrot Face]

I had same problem but then realised they clip upwards, the opposite way to what I was used to with my previous Fiamma awning

 

[ABZSteve]

Hi Funsters
I think there may have been an earlier post on this, but thought I'd ask for current views. The Omnistor awning on my 2018 campervan is working correctly, but when I tried to lock the two legs via the securing clips I can't seem to lock the clips into position. I'm worried if I use any excessive force they might snap as they're made of plastic. Has anyone any experience - or a solution or ideas?
Thanks,
Graham

Keep going, it will snap in to place . They hold a bit of weight so you wouldn't want them anything but a bit stiff

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[Spriddler]

Don't think of it as a 'clip'. It is in fact a lever with a cam which forces the inner and outer legs together, in effect jamming one inside the other.

 

[joka250]

Would endorse @Grommet post but add that WD40 can cause plastics to swell and IMO should not be used for this.

 

[GrahamCardiff]

Don't think of it as a 'clip'. It is in fact a lever with a cam which forces the inner and outer legs together, in effect jamming one inside the other.

Thanks. Still baffles me why they made a lever out of plastic ?

 

[Spriddler]

Thanks. Still baffles me why they made a lever out of plastic ?

It's not simply 'plastic'. I was in the injection moulding business and we made many vehicle and domestic stressed components from quite sophisticated glass-filled and other advanced 'plastics'.
Relax - I've never read on here of anyone breaking that lever.

 

[GrahamCardiff]

It's not simply 'plastic'. I was in the injection moulding business and we made many vehicle and domestic stressed components from quite sophisticated glass-filled and other advanced 'plastics'.
Relax - I've never read on here of anyone breaking that lever.

Thanks - and relax. Lots of fascinating people on here with a huge spectrum of expertise

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[Spriddler]

It's very commonly used for stressed and high revving gear wheels, door lock parts, door handles, fulcrums, prosthetic limb joints, hinges, bicycle pedal cranks......If you have a hedge trimmer the motor drive will almost certainly be via glass-filled nylon gears and the circular motion will be converted to a reciprocating action by use of a self-lubricating molybdenum-filled nylon yoke to drive the blade. Quieter and cheaper than steel ones and never need maintenance.

 

[hymerman]

Ask Rose Awnings in Poole for advice, very helpful people.

 

[cranky]

Can I humbly suggest you try Silicon spray instead of WD40. WD40 is fantastic for what it was designed for which is Water Displacement, hence the name. However it evaporates really quickly.
It is also good for releasing rusted nuts. BUT it is absolutely no good for long term lubrication of moving parts. Silicon spray is king in this area, from locks to window slider it rules.
Just avoid getting it on body work that may need painting in the future.

Also, silicon spray is great for your cassette slider. It also helps prevent poo sticking to the bowl

agreed. grease or wd is only a short term fix but it does let you know that lubrication may help or not ( and they don't stop poo sticking either)