Blue Bird M380 2003, Owner'S Manual

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M380 Owner’s Manual__________________________Interior and Exterior Systems Operation – Awning Operation – 4-8
Rev. “F” 4-8-5
4-8.2.2 Closing
1. Release the snap stud of the main arm and lower the awning to its bottom most position.
2. Release the ratchet stud of the rafter arm and lift the claw out of the rafter hook.
3. Place the claw casting on the protruding height adjustment stud. To lock the assembly in a
travel position, push the other tube downward until the ratchet stud snaps closed. Repeat
Steps 1-3 for the other end of the awning.
4. Face the awning and hold the end of the control strap firmly in one hand. Push the roller
briskly upward with a rolling motion until you feel the spring take over. Control the speed of
closure by holding the control strap until all but 6 inches of the fabric has rolled up. Release
the strap and let the awning roll freely the rest of the way. This extra force will help tighten the
fabric around the roller to insure the tightest, neatest appearance.
5. Lock the awning in place by flipping the Z-lock lever into the “closed” position using the pull
rod.
If Awning Rolls Up Uneven
Observe if the roll-up is even and in line with the clamps (if any). If not, then unroll the awning and
give the roller a slight push towards the direction it should go. If you wish to have the awning roll
up more in either direction, then spiral the pull strap in that direction.
NOTE: The strap must be spiraled around the roller. This prevents a loose roll and
bunching of the fabric.
How to Adjust Spring Tension
There is only one spring, located at the rear end of the awning. The winding procedure uses the
main arm bar as a lever, since the spring is connected to the bar through the roller shaft and head
casting.
1. Open the Z-Lock lever/levers
carefully and allow the awning to
open.
2. Support awning roller with
ladder or with help of assistant.
3. Disconnect rear main arm from
main hinge. Pull outward on
snap stud and slide tube portion
off from bar (to shorten arm for
winding.)
4. Stand at the rear of awning
facing front of vehicle and grasp
main arm bar. Adjust the spring
by winding clockwise to increase
tension or counter-clockwise to decrease tension so that the open awning will not start to roll
up until given a rolling start by hand of about 12 inches. This will eliminate the need to lock
the awning open.
▲ WARNING: The spring is under tension. Do not disconnect the bar from the head
casting. The weight of the bar is enough to counterbalance the spring tension. Use of any
other winding device could be dangerous if not controlled, resulting in personal injury or
property damage.
5. After winding, slip the main arm tube back onto the bar and reconnect it to the main hinge on
the vehicle and test the tension.
NOTE: Leave Z-Lock lever (both ends) OPEN when awning is open to avoid damage.
Rafter Arm Operation