379 awnings not retracting without assistance

[cuttinchief]

There is a tread on the awning not retracting on the 379. It seems to be jammed up when you pull on the frame to get it to start retracting. There are multiple post on folks with this trouble.. Someone needs to look into it It seems like the motors are not strong enough for that huge awning. When dropped on one end for when it's raining the awning actually lays on the slideout.

 

[GDRV Service]

Hi @cuttinchief,

I apologize, but don't recall seeing multiple posts regarding this concern in the Manufacturer's Corner which is the section of the forum I review and reply to... If they are posted to other sections of the forum, could you ask those forum members to contact our Customer Support team at (574) 825-9679 for assistance, or to send me a private message with the details, their 17-digit RV VIN and contact information (including a name and phone number)? Thank you in advance.

Best regards,
~ Janice

 

[cuttinchief]

I will do. They are under solitude general section of this forum under the post awning closing problems . I mentioned it and then some other folks said the same thing under the post. Thanks again. I will post in that section tomorrow.

 

[larry-y]

I am also having problems with the awning not retracting. Is there anything being done. I am taking mine in next month and i hope something is done.

 

[GDRV Service]

I am also having problems with the awning not retracting. Is there anything being done. I am taking mine in next month and i hope something is done.

Hi @larry-y,

This condition should be easily rectified by your dealer. If further assistance is required, please contact our Customer Service team at (574) 825-9679.

Best regards,
~ Janice

 

[larry-y]

Thanks Janice for you quick response.

 

[larry-y]

We took our 379FL to the dealer and was told that the slow moving and the needing help to get started is an issue with the carefree awning and there was nothing that can be done. If that is the case why are they using this awning. NOT HAPPY

 

[GDRV Service]

We took our 379FL to the dealer and was told that the slow moving and the needing help to get started is an issue with the carefree awning and there was nothing that can be done. If that is the case why are they using this awning. NOT HAPPY

Hi @larry-y,

What you have described above is not the case, and this is not normal. Please contact Carefree directly at (800) 622-3230 or contact our Customer Support team at (574) 825-9679.

Best regards,
~ Janice

 

[ohman_stm]

Larry, I too have experienced issue with the Carefree Awning on my 379. Unfortunately, mine was more severe, and had to be replaced due to what I firmly believe is a defect/failure in the awning's ability to auto dump. Long story short, on a camping trip, had some rain, which I'm guessing accumulated on the portion of the awning above the dining room slide (which is another discussion point). Per the manual, awning was set at it's highest setting for "auto dump". In other words, it was set to it's flattest setting, vice, it's steepest setting. Heard a loud noise, went outside and the front awning arm had totally elbowed, and I mean BAD. Awning fabric was pinned hard against the top corner of the slide and I feared it was gonna tear through. Called my brother in law to bring in some ladders. Over the next 3 hours while I waited for him, I tortured myself staing at a god awful mess. I was sick to my stomach. Once he got there, we were able to *carefully* retract it, and get home. It was especially demoralizing, as it was our 3rd outing in our brand spanking new dream camper. My dealer and Grand Design split the cost of the replacement, and warrantied it - thank goodness. Initially, GD took the stance of "storm damage", but through the help of my dealer escalating the matter, I got a full replacement, minus the fabric, which surprisingly was still intact, and rebounded nicely.

I've dealt with Carefree in the past on other campers, and will tell you they are "socks on a rooster" - totally worthless, in my opinion. Good luck if you decide to get resolution from them. I can only speak from my experience, and to be fair, maybe others have had a better one.

I know this may be spitting in the wind, but I'd love to see the data on issues with the Carefree awning. I can only hope, GD takes this into consideration, as they have what I feel is a solid, quality product and company. Given that, who they surround themselves with to produce their product, BETTER be of the same caliber. In the case of Carefree, I think they are coming up short.

Not trying to be a hater here....just saying..

 

[Anthony]

The problem with the awning not retracting is, because the bedroom and/or kitchen lights are on, the awning shares the same DC circuit as the lights. the same issue with the bathroom fan and the closet light. if the fan is on the closet light will not work properly. GD needs to address the amount of DC circuits and not put motorized appliances on lighting circuits.

 

[rv_guru]

The problem with the awning not retracting is, because the bedroom and/or kitchen lights are on, the awning shares the same DC circuit as the lights. the same issue with the bathroom fan and the closet light. if the fan is on the closet light will not work properly. GD needs to address the amount of DC circuits and not put motorized appliances on lighting circuits.

While the awning and the lights are on the same circuit, the reason the lights are not working is most likely due to interference with the LED lights. I've heard of replacing them in other campers for the same reason. A bank of LED light being on the circuit the awning is on isn't enough amperage for the awning to not retract properly.