Fiamma Awning

Our 1995 Coachmen has a Fiamma awning that we can't open. It seems to be frozen in place. The previous owner said he hadn't opened it in years - he didn't tell us that he 'couldn't' open it!! Any suggestions?

[markopolo]

I looked at Fiamma troubleshooting and did not find anything that would help.

Whatever you try be cautious. I recently read a report of a Horizon awning (rebranded Fiamma) unfurling on its own when two RV techs were trying to fix a problem with it not wanting to open. The owner had it in for repair because he had to occasionally bump it with the heel of his palm a couple of times to get it to release. Don't work directly in its path.

If it were mine I'd unwind it a few turns then "bump" it a few times to see if it'll release.

Thanks for the suggestion - we'll give it a try. I learned to be cautious, years ago, when the awning on our TT came loose and 'konked' me on the head. LOL

[markopolo]

I hope it opens. Then you can lubricate the moving parts.

In the troubleshooting I read:

We recommend lubricating all of the moving joints such as the elbows of the lateral arms and the swivel-joints at the top of the legs with WD40 or similar product about every six months.

[yvonjovi]

We had to use GENTLE PERSUASION on our Fiamma. I looked underneath the moving supports (after we freed it) and found some dark areas of grime that were sticking to the awning housing. We washed the grime off both areas, lubed it. I don't know if it was rusted together but it was certainly sticking as the grime has worn the finish off. Two of us worked on the problem one inch at a time until it released. We had no more problems while using it last year but I'll see what has occured over the winter.

Thanks for the suggestions. Now we know where to start and will probably tackle it in a few days. Starting to get antsy to travel.

[Mike]

Ours didn't put up too much of a fuss last summer when we opened it to see if it would. Nice accessory.
I'd think it might be a good idea to do the lube stuff, as well as, open it up
once in a while wherever you're parked just to keep things from sticking,
like when you exercise a/your genset.