RV Repair: Awning Repairs, happy camping, model trailer

Question
How do we re-set the spring mechanism in a Sunburst Awning?   The canvas needed to be replaced.   New one is now up and on the roller, but we don't know how to re-set the "spring" to make it recoil.  It's an older model (trailer is an 1988 Okanogan - awning is a "Sunburst").

Thanks!


Answer
Tracey,
      I am unfortunately unfamiliar with this brand of awning.  I'm not sure what kind of spring they use but here is the general idea.  You remove the end cap from the hardware arm.  With a pair of vice grips wind the spring (wind the top of the spring away from the camper) about 1 revolution per foot of awning.  You will probably need to do this on each end.  There are some awnings that can't be done this way and you can use the hardware arm to hold it and spin it, again with the top of spring going away from the camper.  Regardless of which way it is done be extremely careful.  There is a lot of tension on the springs and if they get away from you they can cause serious bodily injury.  I hope this helps, good luck and happy camping.

Darren