Just a couple of 5.0 quirks.

[daveandsandyclink]

For those of you that are new or future 5.0 owners, there is a couple of things to be aware of.

First...secure your extra items you carry in the bed of your pickup. Turbulent winds reflecting off the front will cause light weight gear such as empty water containers, portable dump tanks, and lawn chairs to fly out. Things that would normally travel OK while towing a bumper pull.

Next...watch out for dips, humps and drop offs! It is easy to hit the bed top rail with the trailer. Set up your rig with plenty of clearance and stay mindful that under some parking or towing conditions, your can do damage. Keep everything in the bed below top rail height.

Next...Secure your emergency brake lanyard so that turbulent wind does not disconnect it. I loop mine in the hitch handle with a small Velcro strap.

Next...Keep things you store in the driver side front compartment to a minimum. Why you ask? Should some move and settle on the front jack switches, it could spell disaster. Causing your jacks to lower while in tow. They are unprotected rocker switches.

Just a few small issues I am passing on to you from experience and observations.

[Donna D.]

Thanks David! I knew about loading the pickup bed and securing the load below the rails, along with make sure everything was secure from wind. But, I hadn't even thought about the rocker switches. Oh my!

[escape artist]

Originally Posted by daveandsandyclink

For those of you that are new or future 5.0 owners, there is a couple of things to be aware of.

First...secure your extra items you carry in the bed of your pickup. Turbulent winds reflecting off the front will cause light weight gear such as empty water containers, portable dump tanks, and lawn chairs to fly out. Things that would normally travel OK while towing a bumper pull.

Next...watch out for dips, humps and drop offs! It is easy to hit the bed top rail with the trailer. Set up your rig with plenty of clearance and stay mindful that under some parking or towing conditions, your can do damage. Keep everything in the bed below top rail height.

Next...Secure your emergency brake lanyard so that turbulent wind does not disconnect it. I loop mine in the hitch handle with a small Velcro strap.

Next...Keep things you store in the driver side front compartment to a minimum. Why you ask? Should some move and settle on the front jack switches, it could spell disaster. Causing your jacks to lower while in tow. They are unprotected rocker switches.

Just a few small issues I am passing on to you from experience and observations.

Hi: daveandsandyclink... Thanks...Guess I must have done some things right!!! 6 yrs. towing "Our Escape Hatch" and only lost 1 wood block from the truck box. I75 northbound thru Ohio with 50 + mph crosswinds lifted it out.
Escape trailers are "Great" trailers made by "Great" people for "Great" people!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[tractors1]

Rocker guard switch covers are available. Can someone post a pic of the switches?

[escape artist]

Originally Posted by tractors1

Rocker guard switch covers are available. Can someone post a pic of the switches?

Hi: tractors1... They may be unprotected but you would have to jamb something really tight to them to make them work. You must keep them depressed with your fingers as they are spring loaded. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[Scuba55]

Someone should suggest to Reace and Tammy a kill switch for rocker switches, a easy fix. Maybe I will when I talk with them in Bandon. I know I want them installed on my 5.0 TA.

[tractors1]

Originally Posted by Scuba55

Someone should suggest to Reace and Tammy a kill switch for rocker switches, a easy fix. Maybe I will when I talk with them in Bandon. I know I want them installed on my 5.0 TA.

Rocker switches with safety guards are standard products - probably cheaper/easier for ETI to change their purchase spec instead of adding another part and added labor.

[Scuba55]

agree, safety guards would be good. Thanks,

[PGDriver]

Thanks David any other sugestions re options that you like/use or not?

Doug

[daveandsandyclink]

Yes...the curved leg pieces of you Carefree of Colorado awning are specially bent @ ETI to follow the contour of your 5.0. Do not damage them. Carefree only sells some parts or complete awnings through dealers such as ETI. Add that safety strap and never leave it opened out and left alone with the chance of freak wind gusts or storms. Something that new or inexperienced owners need to know.

[tractors1]

Bent at ETI or bent at Carefree FOR them? Would take a lot of expense for ETI to bend, prime, and paint those leg pieces.

[daveandsandyclink]

As I understand, ETI. We destroyed our first awning as it came open while driving through a heavy, gusty storm. (two weeks old) The new Carefree awning was shipped from Colorado. We had to purchased it through ETI. Ordered as we were standing in the parking lot at Carefree of Colorado. Delivered by motor freight only. The first thing Reace asked me was "are the bent arms pieces damaged?" Indicating they were special. Perhaps someone locally bents the arms for ETI. Learn from me. $540.00 + freight Put on a $3.00 strap!

[tractors1]

Yup! Always had one on my Casita for that very reason.

[Seef]

Originally Posted by daveandsandyclink

Add that safety strap and never leave it opened out and left alone with the chance of freak wind gusts or storms. Something that new or inexperienced owners need to know.

Good call, it's on the wanted/needed things list now.

Thanks!

Severinus and Yvonne

[cpaharley2008]

For those who do not own any, here is a link Amazon.com: Camco 42503 12" Awning Straps: Automotive

[dave1]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

For those who do not own any, here is a link Amazon.com: Camco 42503 12" Awning Straps: Automotive

It appears these straps go around each arm. The arms already have a lock on each and the black knob tightened, so for the awning to open at least one lock and knob would have to fail?

Dave

[cpaharley2008]

Some people are belt and suspenders….in case one fails there is a back up. That little plastic tab is easily overcome, I managed to open mine one time with then closed. The black screw tabs on the cross support will not keep the awning arm from being deployed, try opening it with them tight!!

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by daveandsandyclink

The first thing Reace asked me was "are the bent arms pieces damaged?" Indicating they were special. Perhaps someone locally bents the arms for ETI.

Originally, Reace had someone bending them, but they stopped doing it, and I believe he has the jig now, and bends them himself.

When my wife packed up one time without me, and drove home (I was in my truck), she had neglected to latch the awning closed, and it opened up some, tearing the fabric. All we had to do was replace the fabric though, an easy job, but almost $200 for the replacement.

[daveandsandyclink]

I don't know what happen. According to Carefree of Colorado, it can't happen if operated properly. But when you do a search on the subject, it has and does. I was new to this awning design and may have made an error when putting it back up. It was a horrible, expensive experience that I am sharing with anyone new to the RV world and CfC awnings.

[Donna D.]

During my travels down the highways, I've seen awnings unfurling and slide-outs creeping out.

My Scamp has a case awning, it's easy to tell if it's locked (red tab), but I'm not willing to risk my 5er awning for a couple of buck product and two minutes of my time. THANKS FOR THE REMINDER to use something to secure the awning!