RV Toolbox

BY FRED SMITH JANUARY 2010

Troubleshootin’ with Ernie

Properly Rolling Up Your Awning

What happens when the awning on your coach goes a-flappin’? Everybody’s favorite Lazydays RV technician Ernie “The RV Guy” shows you in this straight-rolling web video about RV awnings presented by Better RVing.

Troubleshootin’ Articles:
Installing a New Kitchen Faucet
Cleaning Your RV’s A/C Filter
Using a Level Gauge Cleaner
Checking for “Draws” on Your RV’s Battery
Properly Rolling Up Your Awning
Unclogging Your Sani-Con System
Fightin’ Foul Odors in Your RV
Using a Voltmeter in Your RV
Fixing Your Multiplex System

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Comments

Jerome (Wisconsin)

Jan. 17, 2012 - 02:00 PM

Love those tips from Ernie! Great service, nice online magazine. Thanks

John (On the Road)

Nov. 17, 2010 - 12:00 PM

With the awning unrolled up, I took some velcro hook side and glued to the end of the strap. With the awning rolled up and using a step ladder, I glued some loop side of velcro about 5 inches down the side of the awning. Works to keep strap fixed.

Ray (King, NC.)

Nov. 01, 2010 - 08:05 AM

Good video, good idea.

Lee (Corsicana TX Full Timer)

Oct. 22, 2010 - 05:26 PM

Who made this awning? Care Free or A&E? I really think they new what they were doing as they are the PROS! I for one have never drove down any road or through a camp site with the slideout OUT! After 35 years, Ernie should do a walk around first. DAA

Dynasty Dude (Taxachusetts)

Jul. 31, 2010 - 11:00 AM

If Ernie The RV Guy is Lazy Days go to guy then I think I ll go to somewhere else! The little tap tap tap is the least of his worries after driving down the road with slides out! And after the repair he still didn t put the slide in! :-)

Bob (Bradenton, FL)

Jun. 29, 2010 - 12:53 PM

I think Ernie s also in big trouble if he keeps the slide out opened! Opps!!

betterRVing

May. 13, 2010 - 12:50 PM

Thank you for contacting Better RVing.com, your feedback is important to us. After many hours of research and testing, we have found a solution to the video viewing issues. We have resourced a new company to help streamline the video for fast and efficient viewing for slower connection speeds.

We hope you will continue to visit and be an active participant at Better RVing.com; your feedback will continue to help us improve.

Sincerely,
Better RVing.com

Steve Roddy

Apr. 26, 2010 - 11:08 AM

If awning strap gets rolled up in awning now we have to go back to the days before awning straps. It will be a 2 person operation with each person pulling on the awning arm to expose the strap. If you have a center entry door I also roll up my strap at the steps and I do not have to use my awning rod.

Steve Roddy

Apr. 26, 2010 - 11:05 AM

Working with a loaded awning spring can be dangerous. Some springs can have tension added to cure the problem of slow retraction. If the spring has no tension it has probably broken and will need to be replaced. Again not something that should be done by the inexperienced. In the open position the spring has to be wound depending on length but usually over 20 turns. And if working on awning in a rolled up position then you will be on a ladder. In either case there is a good chance of personal harm being inflicted. I have seen experienced technicians get hurt from awning repairs.

Jamie (Pennsylvania)

Apr. 26, 2010 - 09:13 AM

LOL to Dan {BC Can}! I thought the exact same thing. One question I have is, what do ya do if your strap ends up rolled up in the awning with no strap left to grab onto? O Hasn t happened yet, but I can see if I try to use Ernies Tip , it will!

Phillip (FL)

Apr. 16, 2010 - 12:26 AM

Is it possible to fix the retraction spring in an awning or does the entire mechanism need to be replaced? I am somewhat hesitant to open the mechanism to check the problem but would like to repair it with the least amount of expense.

phil (redding,ca)

Apr. 10, 2010 - 05:34 PM

why don t Ernie vedios play? Would like to see them but no luck

Joe (Leesburg FL)

Mar. 26, 2010 - 09:19 AM

an obvious but overlooked answerfor the issue. Thanks

Harold (Palm Springs)

Mar. 25, 2010 - 02:43 PM

I appreciate all the good advice that I can get so that I can be more independent in the maintenance area. Keep up the good work.

Dwayne (Monroe NC)

Mar. 24, 2010 - 07:40 PM

Great information on the little things that drive us nuts! Video and sound were fine!

Steve Roddy

Feb. 09, 2010 - 09:11 AM

Adjusting the mirror arm on your Minnie Winni / This is done from inside the door. You must remove the plastic panel to expose mirror mounting bolts. These bolts need to be tightened to 75-100 in-lb.

Bill (Hendry Co, Florida)

Feb. 05, 2010 - 04:55 PM

Thanks. Amazing how much simple ideas can make such a difference.

FRAN (DEFUNIAK SPRINGS, FL)

Feb. 02, 2010 - 11:12 AM

GOOD IDEA....WE DON T HEAR THE AWNING FLAP ON OUR 5TH WHEEL WHILE TOWING, BUT WE DO HEAR IT BANGING WHEN THE WIND BLOWS AND WE ARE SITTING STILL....TAP, TAP, TAP....SO NEXT TIME WE ROLL IT UP WE WILL TRY THIS SUGGESTION.

FRAN (DEFUNIAK SPRINGS, FL)

Feb. 02, 2010 - 11:12 AM

Rebecca (Lakeland, Fl)

Feb. 02, 2010 - 07:35 AM

Good article. Can you tell me how to tighten a new driver s side rear view miror on my Minnie Winnie??? the arm swing out is soooooo loose.

Steve Roddy

Feb. 01, 2010 - 08:51 AM

Great suggestion. Keep checking as we will be adding new subjects.

shadow (orlando)

Feb. 01, 2010 - 08:49 AM

five minutes and still no sound or viedo?

Dorothy (Fayetteville North Carolina)

Feb. 01, 2010 - 08:45 AM

Can Ernie do a DIY for sealing your roof and checking for cracks?

Denne (Summerfield, FL)

Jan. 31, 2010 - 09:45 AM

Good Tip, but why wasn t Ernie wearing his seatbelt?>

Larry (Somerset, PA)

Jan. 30, 2010 - 09:27 PM

Ole Ernie might wanna check his slideout too, while he s stopped at the rest area, or get a wide load sign and escort. (jest ta add a little humor to the story)

Dave (Petaluma, CA)

Jan. 30, 2010 - 09:05 PM

The turning circle means your information/ video is downloading onto your computer. Sometimes this can take a long, long time. If your connection is from a phone cord, you might have to wait an hour or more. Happy travels.

Allan (Midland Tx)

Jan. 30, 2010 - 08:39 PM

Video and sound stopped. Installed flash player and tried again and still stopped and would not continue.

Dave (Petaluma, CA)

Jan. 30, 2010 - 08:29 PM

Tom (Victoria, BC)

Jan. 30, 2010 - 04:09 PM

Great informative video. Why is it always the little things in life that drive RVers crazy.

Jordan (Amherst, VA)

Jan. 30, 2010 - 03:08 PM

No sound, no video just a turning circle.

()

Jan. 30, 2010 - 01:36 PM

article terrific Thanks

Merlyn (Penna)

Jan. 30, 2010 - 01:35 PM

need to know how to wash between awning and screen room

Marie (Pearl,MS)

Jan. 30, 2010 - 11:24 AM

Right in time! I just got back home after a short trip. What was that tap, tap, tapping that interferred w/my favorte Jimmy Buffett album? Thanks to you I know the problem and how to fix it! Thanks

Allen (Middle GA)

Jan. 30, 2010 - 10:54 AM

Good tip for the awning strap. Can Erniegive a tip for DIY ers that remove and replace the awning and insure that the tension is set to prevent a loose roll-up?

WAYNE (BRITISHCOLUMBIA)

Jan. 29, 2010 - 11:37 PM

GREAT IDEA WISH I HAD COME UP WITH IT

Leon (Minnesota)

Jan. 29, 2010 - 11:19 PM

Like your site ! Good info, helpful hints.

John (San Marcos CA)

Jan. 29, 2010 - 09:20 PM

WITH Flash 10 I got the sound but no video...THEN I clicked view full screen. Shazam...great video AND sound. Thanks.

DAB (Wa)

Jan. 29, 2010 - 08:57 PM

Thanks. video worked just fine for me, picture and sound. Was helpful,

Ron (NC)

Jan. 29, 2010 - 08:20 PM

If you can t watch the video, make sure you have flash player installed on your computer! Don t be so critical!

Ron (NC)

Jan. 29, 2010 - 08:20 PM

If you can t watch the video, make sure you have flash player installed on your computer! Don t be so critical!

Ron (NC)

Jan. 29, 2010 - 08:18 PM

Good video. Had no problem watching it.

john (miss)

Jan. 29, 2010 - 08:13 PM

Video will not play. Waste of my time. Last time I will visit this site

bob (phoenix)

Jan. 29, 2010 - 08:05 PM

cant tellsince the video wont play

larry (san diego)

Jan. 29, 2010 - 07:59 PM

why didn t I think of doing that, ie, rolling up the awning flap at an angle.

arthur (FL.)

Jan. 29, 2010 - 07:00 PM

WASTE OF TIME AS IT WOULD NOT PLAY

gail (michigan )

Jan. 29, 2010 - 06:39 PM

thank you for the refresher on hitching up i ve just learn how to hitch up on my own 29 footer thanks for your enfo and i ll be studying from you i could hear all he video

Sue (Oklahoma)

Jan. 29, 2010 - 06:38 PM

Good lesson but big/new awnings must unroll easier than older ones. I knew the flap trick. Hard part for me is remembering proper order for all the screws and knobs to be undone. Any lessons for that? I did have good sound!

Janet (Florida)

Jan. 29, 2010 - 06:14 PM

What happened to the sound????

Rolf ((Arizona))

Jan. 29, 2010 - 06:11 PM

Couldn t get the video to play. Waste of my time.

jim (colorado)

Jan. 29, 2010 - 05:34 PM

Why didn t I thin k of that. Nice job Ernie

robert (college place wa..)

Jan. 27, 2010 - 11:58 AM

It wouldbe nice if the video appeared. have been unable to view the video.

Frank (J Ville)

Jan. 07, 2010 - 10:50 PM

Can we teach Ernie to talk? The 3 minute mime video was amusing but a lot more intel could have been put out with sound.

John (St Paul)

Jan. 07, 2010 - 03:44 PM

My computor won t show your videos and I like to get the info you are sharing. Is there another way to get it?

mike (BC Can)

Jan. 05, 2010 - 05:10 PM

Maybe Ernie should not drive down the road with his slide out.

Show Next 15 Comments

BY FRED SMITH JANUARY 2010

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