New Owner of '88 BigFoot

[Ardith]

Hi, I'm Ardith and a new owner of 1988 Bigfoot 19' gaucho style which we may have no business owning! Still, I love it.

We can't figure out how to open the awning. There is no "awning bar" or a strap that we can see. On manually turning the awning itself, we find no "edge" -

I can see it's like a spring wound shade and we surely don't want to wreck it!

Any advice is welcomed.

[Kevin A]

We have a 1988 Bigfoot Silver Cloud, so the awnings may be similar (Carefree of Colorado). On our model, you have to push up a release lever that is located on the right end between the awning and the support arm. You may need a long screwdriver or rod to reach it. It should rotate up and IN toward the trailer wall. Then, unhook the catch levers on each support arm and gently pull the awning down toward you. That's how ours works. When we are ready to roll it back up, we push that same lever up and OUT away from the trailer to free it to rewind.

It's pouring rain here in I would attach a picture!

[Kevin A]

Here are two pictures: one from the right side and one close up on the lever I described earlier. You can see it hanging down between the awning roller and the support arm. Push it in toward the trailer and up as far as it will go...about a couple inches.

Sorry they are sideways! Darn iPad.

[Ardith]

Thanks for your reply, Kevin. When it stops pouring HERE, we'll wander out and see about it. I do think it looks just the same!