How to Replace Your RV Awning Motor

Awnings are a perennial favorite among RV-ers. Not only do they enhance the outdoor experience by protecting you from rain and sun, but the right add-ons like LED lighting and attachable rooms also make life on the road more convenient. In fact, electric RV awnings are all the rage right now as they cost less and can be easily installed by RVs. The problem is that, like all electrical equipment, this product also experiences problems and most of them are related to the motor. Imagine the surprise when you are visited by a prospective RV buyer to find that the awning motor is not working. If you want to get cash for your RV, this is a deal breaker for many stakeholders. To avoid facing such situation, you need to replace the awning motor. This does not require any special skills and you can complete this task yourself. Find out how below:

Select the right motor

It’s easy to get confused with the RV automatic canopy options available on the market. However, make the ones with manual override functions your priority. This ingenious emergency function allows RV-ers to remove the canopy manually when there is no power. You will find many electric awnings with built-in receivers that you can easily operate with a remote control or a wall-mounted control switch. Some brands add wind and sun sensors to their products, allowing them to automatically open and close based on weather conditions. You can plug motorized canopies into a standard RV outlet.

Prepare the new awning

Hold the mounting bracket in a retracted position and remove the product. Place it gently on the ground and remove the end cap. Now, you need to loosen the fixing bolts of the roller end bracket. This will allow you to slide the bracket to the far left so that the torsion bar is easily removable. After removing the gear, remember to remove the square tip as well. This part will no longer be needed; the motor will replace its place.

Configure the engine

Slide the motor to the end of the motor tube and connect each piece of hardware. Check the manual once, as the included components tend to vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Now put the manual handle gear back in place along with the roller end bracket. Be sure to tighten the nuts on the fixing bolts. Then install the end cap. Attach awning securely to mounting brackets and reinstall. Finally, connect the motor cable to the control panel on the wall. If you purchase a wireless model, install the wireless control bracket in a shaded area and plug the cable from the wall control panel into the electrical receptacle on the wall. Inspect each of the buttons on the remote and change to see if they are working as they should.

Motorhome awnings are capable of transforming the outdoor area into something spectacular, and that significantly increases the value of your motorhome. However, before you put your RV on the market to sell for cash, make sure the engine is running carefully. This will ensure that the deal runs smoothly and that your potential customer does not find any reason to back out of the deal!