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Topic: Carefree of Colorado Mirage 2 stage Awning broken (Read 700 times) previous topic - next topic

Carefree of Colorado Mirage 2 stage Awning broken

I have always been afraid to take my awnings out after hearing of problems with wind picking them up and tearing them up.  A few weeks ago after listening to the wife complain about me not wanting to pull out the awning since everyone else in the camp ground has theirs out I gave in and went to extend the awnings. Back one came out OK. Front was a different story.  On the cross bar you can see this cable that is loose and on the far side of this bar you can see an end of the cable that has broken.  In looking at information on CoC web site they show this bar as Middle Rail Assy. The manual talks about replacing he cloth, Middle Rail Assy, motor, roller but does not say anything about this cable or the Middle Rail Assy.  This cable is steel and about 1/16" in dimeter.

Going to call CoC tomorrow to see if I can find out anything.  Anyone here have an idea what I need to do to fix?
2014 ih45  (4th Foretravel owned)
 1997 36' U295 Sold in 2020, owned for 19 years
  U240 36' Sold to insurance company after melting in garage fire
    33' Foretravel on Dodge Chassis  Sold very long time ago

Re: Carefree of Colorado Mirage 2 stage Awning broken

Reply #1 –
Absolutely no idea.  I'd be surprised if the cable gave out, but would not be surprised if a crimp/clamp came off the end or if it popped out of its holder or guide.  Hope they have a guide on how that cable routes.
2000 / 36' / U320 / WTFE
WildEBeest / "Striving to put right what once went wrong"

Re: Carefree of Colorado Mirage 2 stage Awning broken

Reply #2 –
I spent 10 years in the overhead door business and replaced a lot of broken springs and cables but this is a totally different animal. I presume something bound up and caused the cable to break. Carefree of Colorado should be able to look at your photos and figure out what happened,  what parts you need, and the procedure to use to get your awning working again but in this day and age they may refer you to an authorized repair facility.
Meanwhile, there are some Youtube videos about this:
https://www.google.com/search?q=youtube+how+to+repair+a+carefree+of+colorado+awning&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS909US909&oq=youtube+how+to+repair+a+Carefree+of+Colorado&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqBwgBECEYoAEyBggAEEUYOTIHCAEQIRigATIHCAIQIRigATIHCAMQIRigATIHCAQQIRigATIHCAUQIRirAjIHCAYQIRirAtIBCTE2OTQ5ajBqN6gCALACAA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
1993 U225 Build #: 4285
500 Watts Solar
Honda CRV AWD
Former 1981 Foretravel Travco
Retired, Full Time Off Grid Snowbird

Re: Carefree of Colorado Mirage 2 stage Awning broken

Reply #3 –
Curious as to what you discover.  I have two Carefree Paramount awnings which are very similar.
2014 Newell 2020P

Re: Carefree of Colorado Mirage 2 stage Awning broken

Reply #4 –
Quote from: steve –
Hope they have a guide on how that cable routes

There is nothing about this part or how cable is ran.

Quote from: hypoxia –
Curious as to what you discover.

 
After 2 hour wait for return phone call from Tech support they called.  The middle rail assembly (27) is to help the awning retract. It is attached to all three spring arms assembly  21 & 24 at the middle hinge point.  The middle rail assembly (27) has a spring inside that is used to help the spring arms (21 & 24) to fold and close.  The  middle rail assembly (27) is attached to the spring arms via 2 screws on each spring arm.  I am going to remove the middle rail assembly (27) and hope I can figure out how cable is ran. Worse case is having to buy a new middle rail assembly (27) but I think once I get it removed I will be able to figure out how it was wound and if broken will be able to get length of wire.  Tech said there are screws on each side of the middle rail assembly (27) that are used to tighten up the cable.
2014 ih45  (4th Foretravel owned)
 1997 36' U295 Sold in 2020, owned for 19 years
  U240 36' Sold to insurance company after melting in garage fire
    33' Foretravel on Dodge Chassis  Sold very long time ago

Re: Carefree of Colorado Mirage 2 stage Awning broken

Reply #5 –
Above post has some wrong information in it.

After removing the mid rail and getting on the floor I found that the ends have a pulley that is attached to a screw that is used to tighten the cable.  What I think happened is the screws on each side loosened and caused slack in the cable. The cable ends are slid in a slit that hold the cable to the adapter that is mounted to the spring bar.  Once I got the end back connected to the adapter when I moved one end adapter in the other side moved in and the same with moving one out. I could not figure how the middle one was attached to the cable and called tech support again after waiting a few hours for a return phone call they told the middle one is not attached to the cable and it just rides free.  There are no springs in the middle rail assembly. Just two pulleys, cable and 3 adapters that are screwed to the spring bars.

After I got back together and working I checked to see if the back awning's cable was loose and it is tight. 

Only problem I have now is the front awning hangs down and catches the roof lip when closing.  The rear one works perfect.  I believe that they are both at the same level when out. Will have to figure out how to raise it up just a little when closing.
2014 ih45  (4th Foretravel owned)
 1997 36' U295 Sold in 2020, owned for 19 years
  U240 36' Sold to insurance company after melting in garage fire
    33' Foretravel on Dodge Chassis  Sold very long time ago

Re: Carefree of Colorado Mirage 2 stage Awning broken

Reply #6 –
The cable length probably hasn't changed. Can you adjust the cable adapter/pulley/drum to get it to open and close just right?
1993 U225 Build #: 4285
500 Watts Solar
Honda CRV AWD
Former 1981 Foretravel Travco
Retired, Full Time Off Grid Snowbird

Re: Carefree of Colorado Mirage 2 stage Awning broken

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Dakota Slim –
The cable length probably hasn't changed. Can you adjust the cable adapter/pulley/drum to get it to open and close just right?

I don't think that the mid rail is the reason the lead rail is low when trying to close. I am thinking the problem is the spring arm on the front either has a problem or is adjustment is off.  The manual shows that there is an adjustment where you can have the awning lead rail higher or lower while extended
2014 ih45  (4th Foretravel owned)
 1997 36' U295 Sold in 2020, owned for 19 years
  U240 36' Sold to insurance company after melting in garage fire
    33' Foretravel on Dodge Chassis  Sold very long time ago

Re: Carefree of Colorado Mirage 2 stage Awning broken

Reply #8 –
Quote from: turbojack –
I don't think that the mid rail is the reason the lead rail is low when trying to close. I am thinking the problem is the spring arm on the front either has a problem or is adjustment is off.  The manual shows that there is an adjustment where you can have the awning lead rail higher or lower while extended
It's hard for me to picture all the moving parts of your awning. I do know that a garage door has a cable on each side and if there is an obstruction on one side of the door as the door is going up or down, it will cause slack in the cable on the other side and the cable may come off the cable drum. If this happens and the cable gets kinked, it will be more likely to come off the drum again. 
Sometimes the drums are tapered. It all has to be set up correctly for the door -- or in this case your awning -- for it to work correctly. Any binding going up, down (in or out) will create trouble. We always worked the door by hand to make sure that was the case before hooking up a door opener. I don't know if you can do that with that awning.
1993 U225 Build #: 4285
500 Watts Solar
Honda CRV AWD
Former 1981 Foretravel Travco
Retired, Full Time Off Grid Snowbird
 

Re: Carefree of Colorado Mirage 2 stage Awning broken

Reply #9 –
One of my Carefree Paramount awning mid rail is out of alignment.  I think the Paramount is just a larger version of your Mirage.  I was able to use a flat bar and force the awning to park in the case but won't operate it until it's back in my shop.  I have adjusted the lead rail height in the past, it's a fairly simple adjustment.
2014 Newell 2020P