How to Install a Carefree Awning

Installing an Awning Rail (If Required)

1. Position the awning rail along the roof line (line where roof and wall meet) or a minimum of 6" above the upper edge of the door or windows the awning is covering. Awning rail must be level and parallel with the floor line of the vehicle.

2. After determining mounting position, mark the position with a chalk line.

3. Seal the back of the rail with silicone sealant or putty tape.

4. Align the awning rail onto the wall and secure with #10 x 3/4" screws. Use all the attachment holes in the rail.

5. Use a screwdriver to spread open the left end of the awning rail on the installation side.

6. File any sharp edges or burrs from the end of the rail. This will help protect the awning fabric from damage during installation.

7. Spray inside the awning rail track with silicone lubricant.

Assembling the Awning

1. On a flat surface, layout the arms and rollbar assembly.

2. Slide the left arm into the left end plug of the roll bar. Align the holes and secure using one (1) 1/4-20 x 7/16 Quadrex Drive screw.

3. Hook the remote lock over the brake lever while sliding the arm into the right end plug. Align the holes in the arm and end plug and secure using one (1) 1/4-20 x 7/16 Quadrex Drive screw.

4. Measure and confirm the width of the awning. The distance is measured from centerline of arm to centerline of arm.

Mounting the Bottom Mounting Brackets

1. On the awning rail, mark the position of the centerlines of the arms. Ensure that the arms will not interfere with any lights, vents or other obtrusions.

2. Using a non-permanent method of marking such as a chalk line, mark a perpendicular line from the awning rail down to the floor line. This is the centerline of the arms.

3. Position and attach the bottom mounting brackets. These should be centered on the lines made in the previous step and MUST be attached to the structure at the floor line of the vehicle. Attach using 1/4 x 2/12 lag screws.

NOTE: The bracket is made to straddle the trim found at the floor line. A flat shim is available for mounting to flat areas without trim.

Mounting the Awning

1. Measure the distance from the awning rail to the bottom mounting brackets.

2. Adjust the arm length so the distance from the center of the roller to the foot is approximately equal to the measurement in step 1.

3. Remove the tape from the canopy. Unwrap a small portion of canopy but not more than one wrap. The next step will require two additional people. One to feed the canopy into the awning rail; two to "walk" the arms while the canopy is slid into position.

4. Slide the polycord edge of the canopy (or alumaguard) into the awning rail. Continue to "walk" the arms and canopy down the rail until the arms are in line with the centerline marks made previously.

5. Lift the arm up and secure the foot into the bottom bracket. Repeat for both arms.

6. Firmly grasp the roll bar and remove the safety cotter pin from the left end of the roll bar. Allow the fabric to SLOWLY roll up.

7. Remove the nylon strap holding the brake lever.

8. Carefully open the awning 12 - 18 inches to provide access to the upper mounting bracket.

9. Loosen the black locking knob on the upper brace.

10.Slide the upper portion of the brace up so that the upper mounting bracket straddles the awning rail.

11. Center the bracket on the arm centerline drawn earlier.

12. Attach the upper bracket using two (2) 1/4 x 3 lag screws. The screws must go into the vehicle structure. It is acceptable that the screws go through the flat portion of the awning rail.

13. Repeat steps 9 through 12 for the other arm.

NOTE: The bracket is made to straddle the awning rail. If it is necessary to space the bracket out from the wall, a spacer bracket is available and must be ordered separately.

Installing the Stop Bolt

1. Retract the awning.

2. Observe if the centerline of the roll bar is level with or slightly higher than the centerline of the awning rail. The bottom of the roller tube must not be higher than the awning rail.

3. Adjust the arm length as required. Open the arm handle and slide the lower channel up or down as required. Close the handle and slide the lower channel until the locking pin clicks into the nearest positioning hole.

4. Mark the position stop hole that is directly below the upper channel.

5. From the inside of the channel, insert a 1/4-20 x 7/16 quadrex head screw with a star washer through the hole. Slide the centering spacer over the screw and inside the mounting hole. Secure with a 1/4-20 cap nut.

Tip: It may be necessary to lift the upper channel to tighten the cap nut.

6. Repeat for other arm.

Securing the Fabric

1. Roll the awning in and out several times to make sure that the fabric is square on the rollbar.

2. Secure the canopy fabric or Alumaguard using one, #6 x 3/8" hex head screw at both sides of the awning.

2.1 For vinyl awnings, place screw through awning rail, polyrod and canopy approximately 1" in from the end of the fabric.

2.2 For Uniguard awnings, place screw through awning rail, polyrod and the soft connect material approximately 1" in from the end of the fabric.

2.3 For Alumaguard awnings, place screw on the outer edge of the Alumaguard.

Installing the Rubber Bumpers

Because of vibration and movement, it may be necessary to "tighten" the awning arms when stored in the travel position. Two rubber bumpers are provided for this purpose.

1. Open the awning to expose the top of the upper brace.

2. Peel and stick a rubber bumper on the upper brace, opposite the locking knob as shown.

3. Repeat for second arm

You have now completed the installation