Camping is supposed to be fun and relaxing. But things can quickly go south when you head off unprepared. It’s no wonder the best camping trips are those done in a motorhome.
This vehicle has standard home amenities, including a cozy sleeping area and a fully functioning kitchen, which take the stress and hard work off outdoor escapades.
In addition, it’s a full-metal cabin that can be outfitted with various security features so you can sleep peacefully at night, even with all the howls and growls around your camper.
Also, with a motorhome, you can go anywhere you like and stay outdoors longer than you could with only your truck and tent. All you need is to stock up on enough supplies, and you’ll be fine. Travel doesn’t get any better than that.
Add interior and exterior space
Most modern motorhomes even have multiple slide-outs to add more interior space when parked. And it’s not just the interior space you can expand. The exterior, too.
If you have any of the larger compact campers, chances are it has a built-in awning that you can extend when you need an exterior cover or shade for the windows.
Awnings for motorhomes come in different sizes and mechanisms. They can also be fixed or removable, both with upsides and downsides.
Fixed or built-in awnings are easy to pull out and retract, while removable ones need a bit more effort to set up because of their four legs. They are also trickier to store. Despite that, removable awnings offer flexibility as they can be set up away from the motorhome.
Dometic WeatherPro Power Awning
Most of today’s fixed awnings can be operated via remote control. They extend and retract with the push of a button.
Some even have automatic features, such as sensors that detect and respond to weather patterns. If you’re looking for a durable automatic awning for your motorhome, check out the Dometic WeatherPro Power Awning. This awning has several exciting features.
- IoT for convenience – It comes with sensors that automatically retract the awning when they detect high winds, snow, rain, or other wind-generating weather abnormalities.
- Flexible and smart – Of course, Dometic also considered the possibility that the awning might retract at slight movements, which can be annoying and might damage its gears. So, they programmed it only to flex a little when adjusting to moderate winds.
- Excessive weight alert – No matter how much you stretch the awning’s fabric, it will eventually sag and succumb to gravity. The resulting slump collects water during heavy rain, which adds strain to the awning. But the sensors are programmed to trigger the awning to stretch and release the pooling water.
- Multiple style options – This awning has either double-sided vinyl or woven acrylic fabric, which comes in a vast array of colors and patterns. In addition, its hardware is available in four colors: polar white, black, silver, and champagne.
- Weather-resistant – All metal parts are coated with a metal wrap weather seal to prevent moisture from seeping through and wreaking havoc within the gearbox and motor.
WeatherPro Power Awning Troubleshooting
Like any other motorized component of a motorhome, the WeatherPro Power awning will malfunction at some point. When that happens, the first thing you should do is diagnose the problem.
But you can’t do that if you don’t know how the awning works. So, let’s start with the basics—how to operate the WeatherPro Power awning.
- Step 1: Open the awning by pressing and holding the “Extend” button on either the remote control or the remote rocker switch for three seconds.
- Step 2: Activate the wind sensor by simultaneously pressing and holding buttons “1” and “2.” You don’t have to do this if the weather is fine and there’s no risk of high winds.
- Step 3: On the WeatherPro Control Box, press the wind speed selection button to choose the wind speed you want to trigger the sensors to retract the awning. There are five speed settings, and the default one is 18 MPH.
- Step 4: If you want to adjust the pitch, loosen the knob on the bottom arm and pull down the lower roller tube. Don’t forget to tighten the knob back once you get your desired height.
- Step 5: To close the awning, press and hold the “Retract” button for three seconds.
That’s how easy it is to operate your WeatherPro Power awning. Now, let’s discuss common issues you may encounter and how to deal with them.
1. Not extending
If you perform Step 1 and nothing happens, it’s possibly due to one or a combination of things. For instance, the control box is likely not receiving enough voltage; it must receive at least 12.5 VDC to push open the awning.
If the voltage is below that, you may need to use a bigger wire going into the control box. A faulty fuse may also cause the problem.
Another potential cause is if the ignition interlock system is on. This component serves as a breathalyzer for the awning; it will prevent the awning from extending if it detects a problem.
It’s also likely that corrosion around wire connectors is causing a drop in voltage distribution with the control box. If you don’t find any of these issues, inspect the motor. Its wires are probably loose or corroded.
2. Not retracting
Imagine having finished packing up, and all that’s left to do is to close the awning. But when you pressed and held the “Retract” button, nothing happened. It must be frustrating because you can’t drive off with the awning still stretched out.
Like most awning issues, this is likely due to incorrect wiring. The wires between the awning, control box, and DC supply must be big enough to convey enough voltage into the motor.
It’s also possible that there’s an obstruction within the roller tube. This is usually accompanied by a strange noise coming from the mechanism. If this is the case, shut off the system and eliminate the obstruction.
A faulty motor may also be the culprit. If it’s been a recurring problem with the motor as the known source, consider getting a new motor.
3. Not detecting excess load or high wind
Sometimes, you will notice that your WeatherPro Power awning isn’t adjusting even though you can feel the wind blowing stronger than usual.
The simplest explanation is that you probably forgot to activate the sensors. If so, go to the control box and press and hold buttons “1” and “2” simultaneously for three seconds.
If the sensors are on but not affecting the awning, the FLAT four conductor cable must be disconnected. This is the cable that connects the sensor to the control box.
If you found no issues with the wiring and sensor, but the awning is still not getting a signal, the circuit board must be faulty. You may need to install a new control box.
4. The key Fob isn’t working
You wanted to open the awning and happened to be standing next to the remote rocket switch. The remote control was hidden somewhere, and you’re too lazy to look for it.
So, you decided to open the awning through the rocket switch. But after pressing and holding “Extend” for three seconds as instructed, the awning wouldn’t move. Then, you tried opening it with the remote control, and it worked. This means the key Fob is defective.
Note that the key Fob operates within a 30-ft range. But distance is an unlikely issue because, apparently, the rock switch isn’t that far from the awning.
Instead, the key Fob’s programming may have changed because the electric charge damaged the electronic board. The switch also requires a battery to work. Perhaps the battery has run out of juice.
Fix it like a pro
The Dometic WeatherPro Power awning is an excellent addition to your motorhome because of the convenience it provides. Unlike other mechanical assemblies in your vehicle, it has a pretty basic structure, which makes standard troubleshooting easy.
However, you must not take any problem lightly. Always wear your professional mechanic hat when fixing anything.
By professional mechanic hat, I mean the attitude and practices of a pro when dealing with any mechanical malfunctions.
They only start unscrewing components after shutting off the power source. They make sure all the tools they need are within reach. And, when they find something they can’t explain, they stop and read about it because they don’t want to cause a new problem or cause the awning more damage.
Always remember to know when to stop and call a professional. Any professional mechanic would appreciate it if you do the standard checks first because that way, they can have an idea of what they’re dealing with before they head to your motorhome’s location.
But if it’s just the awning, they can definitely handle it.
