Motorised Awning

by CJ1949 Wed Nov 03, 2021 10:18 am

I have an health issue which makes manually opening and closing the roof awning difficult.
My wife can't help she too short!

Having a new MH next spring (hopefully) but it seems Autosleeper not interested in fitting a motorised awning in lieu of the usual manual type and charging me the difference cost for extra wiring etc.
Seen a couple in use mostly in Hymer models and think its a benefit if you are disabled etc.

So wondering if anyone done a retrofit of fitting a motor to an existing manual awning and the likely cost?

by v8oholic Wed Nov 03, 2021 10:33 am

I looked at it briefly in the summer, as it seemed like a useful thing to have, but the Thule motors alone are £300-400. The kits do come with a switch, but there's still the wiring, switch and a relay and/or fuse to install neatly. You still need to carry the crank handle in the van, in case the motor doesn't work. It only adds about a kilo in weight.

by CJ1949 Thu Nov 04, 2021 10:08 am

Thanks for your comments.
I expect to pay additional costs including the wiring. Try using manual handle with only one arm.
Like some other things it could be a cost 'Option' fitted at time of manufacture in lieu of the manual one.
Today, I have contacted Autosleeper to see if it's at all possible.

by Dbvwt Thu Nov 04, 2021 11:28 am

Probably a daft idea but what about modifying the long handle so a cordless drill can be attached? Like the caravanners do to lower their steadies.

by rgermain Thu Nov 04, 2021 11:35 am

Dbvwt wrote:Probably a daft idea but what about modifying the long handle so a cordless drill can be attached? Like the caravanners do to lower their steadies.

Good idea David, or maybe a caravan step for the wife hugegrins

---------
Richard

by CJ1949 Sat Nov 06, 2021 11:21 am

So regerman & his like minded mate Dbvwt find my disability something to mock.

by bikeralw Sat Nov 06, 2021 2:28 pm

CJ1949 wrote:So regerman & his like minded mate Dbvwt find my disability something to mock.

Far from it, you'll find this is a friendly forum, full of advice.
I was going to suggest the same as David, maybe even simpler by having the manual rod extended.
As for the step for your wife comment, how can that be construed as mocking your disability. My wife is average height, yet uses a portable step for lots of things when we're out and about in the van.

by IanH Sat Nov 06, 2021 3:16 pm

How can a practical and useful tip such as using a cordless drill for an otherwise, perhaps, difficult task be seen as mocking a disability?
A sensible use of a cordless drill and a hell of a lot cheaper than a motorising kit for an awning. AND you still have the drill for any other tasks, not much else you can do with an awning motor?
I thought it was very clever and, yes, in tin tent days, had similar for the corner steadies! scratch head

by Suppersready Sat Nov 06, 2021 3:24 pm

Dbvwt wrote:Probably a daft idea but what about modifying the long handle so a cordless drill can be attached? Like the caravanners do to lower their steadies.

Great idea …. Might look into this myself allthumbz

Niall

by Cymro Sat Nov 06, 2021 4:13 pm

What a good idea. I already use a cheap (but 2-gear) drill to lower / lift the corner steadies, and the lifting bike rack. It's a heck of a manual job to wind the rack up with 2 e-bikes on it, but the drill does it easily. So if there's a way to modify the awning handle (or manufacture another) so as to be able to use the power drill, I'm very interested. The chore of manually winding is a deterrent at the moment.

Thanks, Dbvwt.

by groundhog Sat Nov 06, 2021 6:51 pm

Same as you Cymro, use an electric drill to raise and lower the jacks, I bought the extra long adapter from ebay so ready to go and it works a treat. I did think about using the same system for the awning but the problem is the longer the reach the more important it is that the shaft is exactly straight as wobbles are amplified. I only had a quick try but the end of the shaft was all over the place!
Would AS supply the van without an awning so the OP could fit his own electric one I wonder? Shouldn't be rocket science to get the wiring to the right area and the awning would simply sit on the roof?

by Heanorboy Sat Nov 06, 2021 7:40 pm

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OK so Having problems winding out the awning and not wishing to damage the existing handle I came up with a solution using one each of the M10 Rawlbolts.

The ring sits nicely in the slot and is in fact much easier to use than the T piece. The first bolt is screwed in so that the thread can us fixed into a electric drill

For the shaft I used one piece from a cheap extending clothes prop after removing the fitments . Trust this makes sense it does work as the rawl bolts clamp very tight on the inside of the tube

David

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by Dbvwt Sat Nov 06, 2021 7:47 pm

CJ1949 wrote:So regerman & his like minded mate Dbvwt find my disability something to mock.

I’ve only just come on the forum and read this as I’m away at present.
CJ, there is absolutely no way I would mock your or anybody’s disability and I’m sorry if you have read it that way.

by Paulmold Sat Nov 06, 2021 7:55 pm

If its a Thule awning with a T fitting as opposed to the hook on a Fiamma, an extending handle is available to suit shorter people...(extends to 2 metres)..
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by v8oholic Sat Nov 06, 2021 8:23 pm

groundhog wrote:Would AS supply the van without an awning so the OP could fit his own electric one I wonder?

No point, since a genuine OEM motor can be purchased and fitted afterwards to convert it to automatic operation.

by Kemerton-bath Sat Nov 06, 2021 9:49 pm

CJ1949 wrote:So regerman & his like minded mate Dbvwt find my disability something to mock.

I’m sorry if I’m stepping into Moderaror territory but I think you’ve misjudged these suggestions completely.

This forum is one of the most friendly, well intentioned and helpful you will find.

Tim

by KMRTOPAZ Sun Nov 07, 2021 12:09 am

Whilst the various suggestions about reaching the winding mechanism are interesting and helpful, I think the bigger issue is the effort required, particularly to wind up a log and heavy awning. I have a groggy shoulder after coming off my bike, and I don't enjoy the wind-it-back experience at all.
I retrofitted a motor to a Fiamma 45s awning on our Topaz. We used the awning mainly to shelter the seat in the side-door opening when it was raining. Better arrangement than going outside with the winding handle. Wiring was simple in the Topaz
Keith

by Caraman Sun Nov 07, 2021 4:56 pm

bikeralw wrote:
CJ1949 wrote:So regerman & his like minded mate Dbvwt find my disability something to mock.
My wife is average height, yet uses a portable step for lots of things when we're out and about in the van.

Same with my wife who uses one of these to reach the top lockers

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It stows folded just inside the habitation door

by Cymro Sun Nov 07, 2021 5:49 pm

Those steps are great. I first heard of them on the Forum - Peter Brown I seem to recall - and they are great on the NuevoES for reaching into the depths of the Luton, or for lifting up the Tailor-made Screen. Sometimes doubles as a drinks table outside. Solid little stool, which weighs little and can be easily stored. I fit mine adjacent to the tab door entrance, under the grab handle on the left of the steps. Very convenient.

Cymro

PS I think mine's a bit taller than that shown in Caraman's link.

by Bobskate Sun Nov 07, 2021 9:51 pm

Interesting that we are not hearing much now from the OP.

by inspiredron Sun Nov 07, 2021 11:39 pm

Bobskate wrote:Interesting that we are not hearing much now from the OP.

I'm not surprised! Most of the suggestions made sound completely impractical to me. Have you tried even inserting the awning winding handle into its socket using just one arm, let alone turning it? And how would standing on a step help?
It's disappointing as far as I'm concerned and I can only hope that his reason for needing the motor had been overlooked.

by Caraman Mon Nov 08, 2021 7:30 am

inspiredron wrote:
Bobskate wrote:Interesting that we are not hearing much now from the OP.
And how would standing on a step help?

The suggestion about standing on a step was made with respect to the OP's wife who he reported as short. Clearly a step wouldn't help the OP if he only has the use of one arm. A short person standing on a step with a fully extended winder should be able to operate the awning's roller. It would be helpful if the OP was able to adjust the awning's legs as it is rolled out so his wife wouldn't have to continually get off the step. I assume the OP is able to do this.

by Caraman Mon Nov 08, 2021 9:16 am

Just to emphasise the point, my wife is 5' 3". The folding step makes her 6'. My wife has used the fully extended winder but neither of us can remember if she used the step.

by Caraman Mon Nov 08, 2021 9:20 am

CJ1949 wrote:
Today, I have contacted Autosleeper to see if it's at all possible.

If you get no joy can I suggest you contact the A-S Sales Manager Dave Williams who I have found very helpful.

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The A-S Service Centre at Willersey carry out modifications to vans but it shouldn't be necessary to go down that route if the van hasn't left the production line yet.

by CJ1949 Mon Nov 08, 2021 10:03 am

IanH wrote:How can a practical and useful tip such as using a cordless drill for an otherwise, perhaps, difficult task be seen as mocking a disability?
A sensible use of a cordless drill and a hell of a lot cheaper than a motorising kit for an awning. AND you still have the drill for any other tasks, not much else you can do with an awning motor?
I thought it was very clever and, yes, in tin tent days, had similar for the corner steadies!

" Mocking" ? Could a 'laughing' emotion not considered be one?

As a test Ian please try opening the awning with a drill attached to the handle (if this is possible) with your right arm tied behind your back.

For the record my wife is 4'11" and very small & quite frail & elderly also had my first caravan in 1968 so got a little bit of knowledge about steadies etc.

For those who think a 'motorised awning' with a remote is bit 'silly and unnecessary'
I assume they never use your TV remote but I suppose they get up to Manually change the channel?

Anyway please no more views or 'advice'
Thank you

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