How to Open a Travel Trailer Awning

New RV owners or renters should remember that opening a travel trailer awning incorrectly can damage or ruin the awning. Rather than trying to open your awning as soon as you park the travel trailer, it's a good idea to review basic instructions beforehand. Learn the best way to set up your awning and you'll be sitting back in the shade in no time.

Instructions

1

Remove all covers secured to the awning during travel.

2

Release the travel locks by squeezing the mechanisms on the side of the supports. If your awning doesn't have these, lift the awning supports to disengage them from the travel locks.

3

Set the ratchet mechanism at roll-down mode and unscrew the rafter knobs until loose. See if your awning has a sliding contraption you need to shift to fully release the awning.

4

Hook the awning pull rod through the pull-down loop to completely extend the awning. Lift the awning supports up into position until you hear them snap securely into place.

5

Pull the awning taught to secure it. Stand in front of the awning and pull the awning tube forward and down as far as you can. Tighten the knob on the tension support on both sides of the awning. If possible, have another person pull the awning tube while you tighten the knobs to maximize tension.

6

Hold on to the lift handle and have someone release the catch pin to extend the awning to its height. Insert the catch pin when the awning is in its final position.

7

If it's raining, set one corner of the awning a few inches lower than the others so water cannot pool on the awning. Water will leak through the awning and the weight could cause your mechanisms to break.