Last Updated on April 13, 2023
You’ve probably set up your camper van awning and discovered that it wasn’t level. Many campers have difficulty getting their awnings to track appropriately, resulting in an uneven and often unstable structure. It’s tough getting the camper retractable awning back on the awning track.
You need to take immediate action if you realize that your RV awning is not in the correct position after closer inspection. It can be overwhelming to unroll, secure, and re-roll the awning for the first time. If you know how to get camper awning back in track properly, it’ll be a lot easier.
This is an easy matter to resolve. With a few simple tools and information, you can replace the arms and/or get your awning back on track. Let’s discuss the steps involved in getting your awning back onto the track.
How to Get Camper Awning Back in Track: Step By Step Guide
The awning on the camper is a crucial feature. It provides shade and protection from the elements while enjoying the great outdoors. However, over time, the awning can become damaged or loose, or trackless, making it difficult to use.
If you find yourself in this situation, don’t despair. With a little lubricating and some basic knowledge, you can get your RV awning back on track in no time. The following steps must be followed:
Step 01. Taking off the Roller:
To regain control of your camper awning, it is vital to remove the roller from the RV awning rail. You’ll need to remove the bolts holding the awning in place and the screws holding the fabric to the frame.
Once you’ve removed these, you should be able to slide the roller out from under the awning. If it’s stuck, it might take a little force to get it started.
Make sure you don’t damage the fabric as you’re removing the roller. Once you have the roller out, take a close look at it. If there are any cracks or damage, you’ll need to replace them.
Step 02. Removing the Spring on the Roller:
The next step is to remove the bolt and awning leg holding the arms on. You will first need to lock the spring in place to do this. You will need to use a drill or screwdriver to do this.
Once you have the bolt and leg removed, you can remove the pop rivets that secure the awning. Next, you’ll need to reinsert the bolt and awning leg into the arms.
Once you have done this, you can reattach the roller’s awning. Be sure not to overtighten the bolt and leg, or you may damage the arms. Finally, test the RV awning to ensure it is working correctly before putting it back on your camper.
Step 03. Apply Lubricant to the Roller:
Applying silicone lubricant to the channels of the awning’s roller is crucial to getting your camper’s awning back on the awning track.
The silicone lubricant helps reduce friction and wear on the moving parts of the awning, allowing it to move more smoothly. Further, the silicone grease will also help to protect the awning from corrosion and weather damage.
When applying the silica lubricant, follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. Once you have applied the lubricant, open and close the awning several times to work it in.
You should notice a significant difference in the way the awning operates. If not, you may need to repeat this step or try another type of lubricant.
Step 04. Insert the Awning Fabric into Channel:
Inserting the RV awning fabric into the channel is one of the critical steps to restoring the awning to its original position. This process is relatively straightforward, but it is essential to avoid damaging the awning material.
Start by inserting one end of the material into the slit and gently pushing it through until the other end is poking out.
Next, apply adhesive to both the awning material and the channel, taking care to spread it evenly. You can also use some adhesive tape to hold the fabric in place. The process of inserting the fabric should be a simple matter of aligning the edges and pressing gently until it is firmly seated.
Step 05. Reattach Channel to Awning Roller:
The final step in reattaching the channel to the awning roller is to reinsert the spring assembly. This can be done by threading the string through the holes in the channel and then attaching it to the roller with pop rivets.
Once the spring is securely in place, you should test the awning to confirm it functions correctly. If everything appears to be working correctly, you can then enjoy the peacefulness of your campsite, knowing that your awning is back on track.
By following these simple steps, you’ll have your camper awning back in working order. So the next time you set up camp, you can relax and enjoy the outdoors without worry.
Tracking the Camper Awning: Precautions to Take
One of the most important parts of owning a camper is ensuring that all the appliances and features are in good working condition. This includes the awning, which provides shelter and shade when needed.
However, the awning can also be a difficult part of the camper to keep track of. As such, it is vital to take some precautions when tracking the awning:
- When opening or closing the awning, keep hands and fingers away from the edge of the awning fabric.
- In some cases, the edges of the fabric of the awning can be very sharp, making them dangerous to touch.
- If you track the camper awning, avoid stepping on any rocks or sharp objects.
- These objects can puncture the fabric and cause leaks.
- Secure the awning fabric to the ground before attaching it.
- The fabric can be slippery and is not designed to support a person’s weight.
- Make sure to stake down the awning using heavy-duty ropes or straps.
- Refrain from using the awning in high winds or severe weather.
- If possible, choose a campsite that provides natural wind protection, such as trees or hills.
FAQs
Listed below are some frequently asked questions regarding camper awnings:
Q: How Do You Manually Re-Track a Carefree Awning?
If the awning becomes untracked on your carefree awning, it can be challenging to know how to fix it. Try to find the spot where the awning is off-track, and gently push it back into place.
You may need to use a small amount of force, but be careful not to damage the awning. If the problem persists, it might be necessary to remove the fabric and start over.
Q: Why is My Awning Not Going Up?
If your awning isn’t going up, it may be untracked. This means that the fabric isn’t properly aligned with the roller tube. As a result, the awning material gets caught on the roller awning tube, preventing it from fully extending. To fix this problem, you’ll need to track the awning cloth.
Q: How Do You Fix a Sagging Untracked Camper Awning?
A sagging, untracked awning is unsightly, but it can also be dangerous. If your camper awning is sagging or untracked, there are a few things you can do to fix it:
- Check to make sure that the awning is adequately secured to the camper. If it is not, tighten the bolts or screws that hold it in place.
- Extend the awning out and secure it at the outermost point. This will help to give the awning more support.
- Add additional support by attaching ropes or bungee cords to the awning and tying them off to nearby objects.
Q: Can You Adjust the Arms on an Awning While Re-Tracking?
If your awning isn’t tracking correctly, you may be able to adjust the arms to fix the problem. Most awnings have hand cranks that allow you to raise or lower the arms.
Whenever the awning tracks to one side, try adjusting the components to level. If necessary, raise the arms if it is tracking too low. Once you’ve adjusted the arms, re-track the awning to see if the problem has been fixed.
Conclusion
In the final analysis, awnings can be untracked for various reasons. The best way to get your camper awning back on track is to ensure that it is installed correctly in the first place. If it is not installed correctly, it can quickly become unbalanced and start to sag.
By taking the necessary precautions and performing routine maintenance, you can avoid many common problems associated with awnings. You should also regularly check the tension of the awning to make sure it is not too loose or too tight.
