Dometic Awning Telescoping Pole STUCK

[zak99b5]

On the first trip of the season, it was drizzling during set up. So I deployed the dometic awning. One of the infinitely adjustable poles (twist to lock) that go from the roof to the awning rail was seized. I gerry-rigged a solution with a ratcheting load bar in its place, which worked ok.

But I’d like to free up the joint, or find a replacement. I will try tools now that I’m home, and spray some PB'laster in it. Any other ideas? I’m afraid of using a monkey wrench on it because I don’t want to squash the tubing.

 

[Raycfe]

Hot water no oil

 

[zak99b5]

So, soak the pole in a rub of hot water, or pour hot water down into the joint?

 

[Raycfe]

Pour it down the joint ....... hot water is very thin and will get to any corrosion. It will not mess up any plastic bushings etc. After that next step would be hair dryer. You don't want to over heat it. Worse case use hose clamps around tube (as to not collapse the tube) and try to turn.

 

[zak99b5]

Thanks. I was going to do this yesterday, but I spent 6 hours under my car replacing an A/C clutch.

 

[zak99b5]

Tried the hot water in the joint trick.

No joy.

Even with two people trying to turn it using a monkey wrench and vice grips. The wrenches started scraping some of the aluminum off even.

Going to use the other pole to figure out exactly how deep the cam lock is.

I think I want to heat the outer pole quickly with a torch so the inner part does not swell as well.

 

[zak99b5]

Unless someone has a trashed dometic awning with a good top pole they’d like to sell lol.