I need HELP!!!: Need help with awning support clamps

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Need help with awning support clamps

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Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: I need HELP!!!
Forum Discription: Perplexed/need help with a problem - ask here
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14689
Printed Date: 02 May 2024 at 7:16am
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Topic: Need help with awning support clamps

Posted By: Ciberpine
Subject: Need help with awning support clamps
Date Posted: 01 Jun 2021 at 4:14pm

We have a 2017 R-Pod 190 with a Thule Crown manual awning. The support leg clamps do not clamp well. I have read the forums and found that it requires a lot of pressure to set the clamps, but even with bending the arm as hard as possible, it does not lock in place.

This seems like a bad design. Is there any 3rd party replacement for these clamps available? I can't seem to even find the originals available on any on-line store.

Any help on this topic would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Scott

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Scott and Noreen
2017 R-Pod 190, 2011 Toyota Tundra
Pilgrims on the way to the Celestial City

Replies:

Posted By: RoverPod
Date Posted: 01 Jun 2021 at 6:53pm

Are you making sure that you are pushing the tabs up and AWAY from the camper body?

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2017 F150 XLT SuperCab
2020 rPod 180

Posted By: Ciberpine
Date Posted: 01 Jun 2021 at 10:02pm

Yes, using as much force as i can muster.

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Scott and Noreen
2017 R-Pod 190, 2011 Toyota Tundra
Pilgrims on the way to the Celestial City

Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 01 Jun 2021 at 11:25pm

Do you feel the clamps increase in resistance. When they pass the 90 degree point, it will be very stiff. They will reach a point where you think they will break. Keep pushing. It will feel like it is going to break but it will then feel like it has passed a point and it will be easier to finish pushing it until it reaches that point. The position will be about 120 degrees from where it started. It might be a little more. I don't have a protractor so I can't be sure of the angle.

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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS

Posted By: RFrog
Date Posted: 01 Jun 2021 at 11:54pm

Thank you for posting this! I had the exact same problem this weekend, and read the forum to get the same answer, however it honestly feels like I will snap those things off! It’s only 2 years old, but the clips seem a little bit brittle. I suppose I could seek out replacement parts prior to forcing so that if/when it breaks I have a fix already in mind. It’s also counter intuitive to flip the things UP-outward instead of downward to lock into place. I even watched a few YouTube videos and the make it look super easy! I honestly feel like I’m doing something wrong, or it’s a really hinky design.

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~dani~ 2019 RP180 purchased 5/15/21; towed by 2014 Willys Jeep Wrangler Unlimited

Posted By: Ciberpine
Date Posted: 02 Jun 2021 at 8:47am

I cannot get the lever past about 100 degrees angle. It will not "snap" into place and does not stay locked in position.

Has anyone found replacement parts for these? Or better, a 3rd party replacement with a better design?

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Scott and Noreen
2017 R-Pod 190, 2011 Toyota Tundra
Pilgrims on the way to the Celestial City

Posted By: Ciberpine
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2021 at 11:23am

Thank you to those of you that replied. Just an update. I let it rest for a day and went out and tried again to get the latches to "latch" and sure enough it worked. We had a significant change of weather for rain and cool to dry and warm and maybe that is the factor, but for some reason I was able to get them to latch.

Now, in my trying to figure this out, I took one of the latches apart and, of course, lost the little spring. I cannot find any place that sells replacement parts of this. Does anyone know of a place?

Thanks again for the help on this. -Scott

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Scott and Noreen
2017 R-Pod 190, 2011 Toyota Tundra
Pilgrims on the way to the Celestial City

Posted By: RFrog
Date Posted: 18 Jun 2021 at 10:04pm

Thanks to the posters who assured me I (probably) would not break them. I went out last weekend and put out my awning and MAY have even looked like I knew what I was doing!

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~dani~ 2019 RP180 purchased 5/15/21; towed by 2014 Willys Jeep Wrangler Unlimited

Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 19 Jun 2021 at 7:04am

Originally posted by Ciberpine

Thanks again for the help on this. -Scott

I'm glad it latched for you. Now, as for the spring, look and see if you can find anything similar, like a ball-point pen spring or something in the hardware store that is about the same size and shape. I don't know of any source for springs.

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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS