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Old 10-13-2020, 10:30 AM   #1
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Power awning unfolded right into an oak tree

I just got back from RMNP and pulled into my driveway.

Everything was fine. I went inside with the frst load of stuff and when I came back out, my power awning unfolded four feet right into an oak tree. The motor was trying to run.

I have no idea how that is possible and I thought I turned the power off. I finally got it out of the tree but now the motor will only feed out a few inches very slowly. Reverse does not work.

The light strip still works. Got a call into Dustin right now. Any ideas what I am in for? How could it just deploy by itself? The trailer was locked and parked.
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Old 10-13-2020, 01:35 PM   #2
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oh crap, first my manual opened and now the power has issues, I'm going to start strapping things shut
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Old 10-13-2020, 02:08 PM   #3
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You say you thought you turned the power off. Was it in fact off or was it on?
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Old 10-13-2020, 02:39 PM   #4
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It was on! That is the only way it could extract. But how?

I was turning it on and noticing the beep and turning it off and noticing no beep. I thought I turned it off. But that does not explain how it extracted itself without the button being pushed. The remote was in it's proper place.

And the trailer was locked and parked for a few minutes. I don't get it.

Also I was entirely aware of the oak tree right next to the trailer.
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Old 10-13-2020, 02:45 PM   #5
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Originally Posted by UncleTim View Post
I have no idea how that is possible and I thought I turned the power off. I finally got it out of the tree but now the motor will only feed out a few inches very slowly. Reverse does not work.

The light strip still works. Got a call into Dustin right now. Any ideas what I am in for? How could it just deploy by itself? The trailer was locked and parked.

Quote:
Originally Posted by UncleTim View Post
It was on! That is the only way it could extract. But how?

I was turning it on and noticing the beep and turning it off and noticing no beep. I thought I turned it off. But that does not explain how it extracted itself without the button being pushed. The remote was in it's proper place.

Sorry to hear about this. The awning uses a remote with a wireless signal. Is it possible that something nearby had the same signal frequency which triggered the awning to open?
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Old 10-13-2020, 03:22 PM   #6
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Back in the day when there were tons of Sears garage door openers with only the 1-2 Switches, eight of them total I think, people with bad intentions would drive suburban neighborhoods and just keep pushing the button They would change up the code and lots of folks would be programmed at 1-2-1-2-1-2-1-2. Or 2222-1111 etc. The bad guys would watch the doors open and then come back later. I talked to a couple policemen about it once after a “breakin” on our block. Radio signals which I don’t know anything about can be freaky, I do know that.
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Old 10-13-2020, 03:39 PM   #7
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power awning

One item on our check list that is on the wall is awning switch off, I don't trust the magic stuff.
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Old 10-13-2020, 03:47 PM   #8
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awning

IF we get another awning, it will be manual. Last July in Flagstaff I was tired of bringing in the electric half way because of the daily showers. With the manual I would have tilted it and tied it down in case a wind came up. In a few weeks we'll decide if we should go to a 5th wheel and a truck.
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Old 10-13-2020, 04:17 PM   #9
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IF we get another awning, it will be manual. Last July in Flagstaff I was tired of bringing in the electric half way because of the daily showers. With the manual I would have tilted it and tied it down in case a wind came up. In a few weeks we'll decide if we should go to a 5th wheel and a truck.
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Along these lines, although not really related to the OP, I just returned from a 12-day camping/fishing trip. With a broken fly rod. What happened was I had my power awning out, and my fly rod was leaned up against the side of the trailer. I was sitting inside having lunch and noticed the wind coming up. Then after a big gust the awning decided to retract itself, but no problem, it's supposed to that. As it neared complete closure, however, I heard the sickening crunch... yep, the wind had blown the rod against the awning, and the tip got caught as it was coming in. Busted it into 3 pieces.

Ouch. Fortunately, the rod had a lifetime guarantee and has been sent off to be replaced. But it's a hard lesson, don't leave your fishing rod (or anything else) learning anywhere near a power awning! It's a lesson not needed if you have the manual awning...

The only other thing I'll say is my awning was a bit upset after having munched the rod and didn't want to open or retract properly. Several attempts seemed to fix the problem, and it works fine now.
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Old 10-13-2020, 05:05 PM   #10
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Sorry to hear about your awning...however I am surprised that some has not left it on and had the remote drop and engage it while they were driving.
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Old 10-13-2020, 05:18 PM   #11
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IF we get another awning, it will be manual. Last July in Flagstaff I was tired of bringing in the electric half way because of the daily showers. With the manual I would have tilted it and tied it down in case a wind came up. In a few weeks we'll decide if we should go to a 5th wheel and a truck.
AZjack
Gotta agree with you Jack. Every time we're in torrential rain and our awning is still out providing a dry spot by the door I'm happy with having a manual awning.

So...thinking of a 5th wheel. The only question is does Iowa Dave have room for your 17?

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Old 10-14-2020, 01:43 AM   #12
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Gotta agree with you Jack. Every time we're in torrential rain and our awning is still out providing a dry spot by the door I'm happy with having a manual awning.
Ron
After this past weekends torrential rains here on the wet coast, manual makes more sense to me than anything else. Electric is convenient I'm sure. But manual gives you options you may wish you had (except at midnight when the wind starts blowing hard and you have to get dressed enough to step outside to wind it up).
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Old 10-14-2020, 09:06 AM   #13
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5th wheel

Dave will have the first right of refusal. We have a June date, moved from January.
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Old 10-14-2020, 09:20 AM   #14
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Efficiency

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After this past weekends torrential rains here on the wet coast, manual makes more sense to me than anything else. Electric is convenient I'm sure. But manual gives you options you may wish you had (except at midnight when the wind starts blowing hard and you have to get dressed enough to step outside to wind it up).
When a storm comes up and the awning is flapping I never worry about getting dressed. I only put on shoes cause my feet are tender. If the ladies are watching I usually call out to them “Best looking man you’ll see for a long time” and keep working. Modesty is for suckers” I always say. We usually put the awning in at night though, unless we are reasonably sure of the weather. Been out 4 nights now and put the awning in twice.
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Old 10-14-2020, 10:05 AM   #15
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HHMMM,,,,,,
Looks like azjack will be on their 4th Escape model, and unlike me, have tried all the models....
congrats......
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Old 10-14-2020, 10:30 AM   #16
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Fishin' see!!!

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Dave will have the first right of refusal. We have a June date, moved from January.
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Hi: azjack...Perfection just takes a little longer!!! Are your propane bottles empty? Alf
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Old 10-14-2020, 11:06 AM   #17
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Hey look! I now have a manual awning. You just use a ratchet any time you want to extend it. Carefully!

The manual showed me how to reel the awning in. It was fully extended and the winds did pick up last night. So I still have an awning. Now it's a manual one. It's good to keep a sense of humor.

I am waiting on a call from Dustin at Escape. I gave him my cell phone number Yesterday. Now we can see how long it takes to get a phone call on a critical issue. Glad I didn't wait for an answer last night! I know he is busy.

I think I am looking at a new motor and an oak tree sensor.
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Old 10-14-2020, 01:01 PM   #18
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I seem to recall hearing about cars with the remote start feature starting on their own when a neighbor used his remote to open his garage door.
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Old 10-14-2020, 01:20 PM   #19
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I seem to recall hearing about cars with the remote start feature starting on their own when a neighbor used his remote to open his garage door.
Wait until driverless cars are common. You may see your car take off down the road without you!
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Old 10-14-2020, 01:51 PM   #20
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It was on! That is the only way it could extract. But how?

I was turning it on and noticing the beep and turning it off and noticing no beep. I thought I turned it off. But that does not explain how it extracted itself without the button being pushed. The remote was in it's proper place.

And the trailer was locked and parked for a few minutes. I don't get it.

Also I was entirely aware of the oak tree right next to the trailer.

Many years ago (during the the days of pagers), we owned a house that was on the glide path for a small local airport. Every now and then, our electric garage door would either go or on down when a passing single engine plane would pass. We surmised that the garage door opener was activated whenever a pilot keyed his mic. With electronic devices, there can be many ways to trigger them. RF signals are zapping all around us all the time...Matt
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