Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches September 08, 2025 ...

Howdy Foretravel folks, we just bought our first RV, a 2003 U320, 38T #6197. 

During my poking around, I came up with a few questions some of you seasoned veterans may be able to help shed some light on.  We'd appreciate any info or direction you can share.

• My main awning goes out using the remote but will not retract.  I had to manually run it in this afternoon.  Ideas on where to look?  I assume the controls are behind the front, right panel above the steps, where the remotes are.

Keith & Faith

Hello Keith & Faith.  I sent you a PM on some of your questions.  I recently posted on the Girard as I have a similar coach as you.  Search "Girard Awning Service Visit".  Your motor controller is shot and outdated.  Forget spending money like I did on current limiters and other attempts.  Since replacing the motor controller and servicing the awning it works great and we love it.  Welcome to the owner's group.  Some of the best folks in the world can be found right here!

Just back from visiting Girard in San Clemente for a service call.  After years of fooling around with my 2004 awning that would intermittently not retract over the years, I decided to finally get it resolved.  I already bypassed the current limiter without success.  Turns out the motor controller was shot.  Replacing it was roughly $1500 installed, but it included a new remote and a motion sensor on the leading edged in lieu of the anemometer.  When the leading edge starts jumping around in the wind it automatically retracts.  Apparently there were too many wind turbine failures (mostly due to low hanging tree branches).  I also had them install their new LED light package which threads into the channel along the leading edge metal fascia where one might hang a curtain.  I really liked the fact that it can be switched on from the remote even when the awning is fully retracted providing a lighted path from the rear of the coach to the door.  That was ONLY $300 more.  Crazy expensive, but you show me a deal on anything today.  Just wanted to share the options available and comment on their good service and easy in and out if anyone is interested.     

Hello Keith & Faith.  I sent you a PM on some of your questions.  I recently posted on the Girard as I have a similar coach as you.  Search "Girard Awning Service Visit".  Your motor controller is shot and outdated.  Forget spending money like I did on current limiters and other attempts.  Since replacing the motor controller and servicing the awning it works great and we love it.  Welcome to the owner's group.  Some of the best folks in the world can be found right here!

Try not running it all the way out. If it is fully extended, crank it in about 2 ft., then try to retract it with the remote.
Mine operates flawlessly in the shop, not so much in the wild.