RV Awning Opened While Driving: Causes and Recalls

If a power RV awning opened while you were driving, the first thing to check is a recall. Carefree of Colorado has recalled its Freestyle gearbox housing twice, because the housing can crack and let the awning extend in transit. Winnebago and Jayco have recalled motorhomes for the same thing. The fixes are free. A manual awning that unrolls on the road is a different problem. Its arm travel locks were not latched, or the lever on the roller that stops it turning was not set to roll up. Moving air can then billow the fabric and unroll it, which is what that lever is there to stop.

Below are the five recalls on this fault, what each fix involves, and the travel lock steps from the Dometic and Lippert manuals. If the awning is out now and will not go back in, start with RV awning won't retract, then come back here.

Four parts the answer depends on

Gearbox. On many power RV awnings, the motor sits at one end of the roller and drives it through a set of gears in a housing. Winnebago's recall papers call this an "angle gear motor." Carefree's recall says a cracked gearbox housing can cause "the awning to extend unintentionally." A tubular motor is different: it sits inside the roller tube, out of sight.

Travel lock. This is a latch on each arm that holds the arm against the side of the RV. Dometic's A&E manual tells you to "Flip Travel Lock down into locked position" before you drive. On Lippert's Solera pull strap awning it is an optional "locking latch" that may be on one arm, both, or neither.

Cam lock. A manual awning rolls up on a spring inside the roller tube. A lever on the end cap sets which way the tube is allowed to turn. Dometic calls it the Safe-T-Lock lever, with ROLL UP and ROLL DOWN positions. People also call it the ratchet or the travel lever. Dometic's service manual says it "prevents the awning from billowing or unrolling during travel."

Recall. A maker that finds a safety defect files a report with NHTSA, the US road safety agency. It must then fix the problem free of charge. A campaign number ending in V is filed against vehicles. One ending in E is filed against a part, such as an awning gearbox.

The five recalls for awnings that open in transit

All five NHTSA filings use the same words for the risk: an awning that extends during transit "may become a distraction or road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash."

Carefree Freestyle gearbox (22E-094 and 23E-096)

Carefree is recalling "certain Freestyle Gearbox Housing part number: 015933-001. The gearbox may develop cracks, causing the awning to extend unintentionally." The remedy is that Carefree "will provide additional support for the internal components of the Gearbox Housing, free of charge." The 2023 recall expands the 2022 one, which covered part 015933-002. Together they reach about 16,000 housings. Carefree's recall line is 1-800-621-2617. Brand background is in Carefree RV awnings.

Winnebago Travato, View, Navion and Era

Winnebago's first report, 22V-696 in September 2022, covered Travato vans with a 13 ft Freestyle awning, part 339810-01, supplied by Carefree. It started with a delivery driver's report of an awning that partly opened on a View in mid-April 2022. Winnebago then found five openings in transit on Travatos, and no injuries. At filing, "The cause is under evaluation." The first fix was an on/off switch and new firmware.

In 2023 Winnebago filed 23V-627, which "replaces and expands" 22V-696. NHTSA's record says "Motorhomes previously repaired under 22V-696 will need to have the new remedy completed." The new fix is a parking brake interlock module plus updated awning firmware. 23V-694 did the same for the View, Navion and Era. It "supersedes and expands" 22V-695, whose fix was a power switch and a relay.

The dealer work papers for 23V-694 show what the fix does. A relay module is set up for "Retract Then Lock," which means "If the awning is extended, starting the engine will automatically retract the awning." Dealers also add a Carefree motor wedge, but only to angle gear motors that lack one. Tubular motors "do not require a wedge." Winnebago pays dealers 1.5 hours for the job.

Jayco Solstice and Entegra Expanse (24V-055)

Jayco's owner letter says dealers "will install a wedge to support the internal components in the awning gearbox and replace the motor as necessary." It says the repair takes about 30 minutes. The letter does not name the awning's maker. It does say you may be paid back if you already paid for this repair. Email service@jayco.com with your VIN, the recall number and the receipt.

Power awning opened while driving: what to do

1. Stop and secure it. Pull over somewhere safe. Retract it if the motor still works. If not, use the override in your manual and strap the roll to the RV. RV awning won't retract covers this.
2. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Use the 17 characters from the windshield plate or your registration. This shows recalls filed against your motorhome or trailer.
3. Check the awning part too. Carefree's two recalls are filed against the gearbox part, not a vehicle. NHTSA lists them under the make "Carefree" with no model year. So call Carefree at 1-800-621-2617 with your awning model and the label on the roller or gearbox.
4. Book the fix with the right dealer. A dealer for the RV brand handles a V recall. Carefree handles its E recalls.
5. Keep a record. Note the date, speed and wind, and photograph any damage. Tell the dealer about any crack or grinding at the motor end, but do not open the housing. If no recall matches, call the NHTSA hotline at 1-888-327-4236. Other motor faults are in RV awning motor problems.

Damage from the event usually falls on the RV policy, not homeowners. See the RV section of does homeowners insurance cover awning damage.

Manual awning opened while driving: the travel lock steps

None of the five recalls covers a manual awning. When a spring-roller awning opens on the road, a lock was not set or has worn out. The steps differ by maker, so follow the one on your awning's label.

Dometic A&E 8000, 8500 and 9000

These steps are from Dometic's operating instructions (Form 3103435.008) and its service manual (Form 3106934.015).

1. Hold the pull strap. Turn the roller tube toward you slightly, and flip the Safe-T-Lock lever up to ROLL UP. Do not let go of the strap. Dometic warns the awning "is now under tension and could snap back against vehicle side."
2. Let the awning roll in slowly, with the strap at an angle from the middle of the tube. This keeps the fabric straight.
3. Seat each arm in its bottom bracket.
4. Tighten the adjustment lock knob behind the main arm, then "Flip Travel Lock down into locked position." Dometic says to "Make sure Latch is securely in place, then repeat for remaining arm."
5. On Sunchaser models, squeeze the rafter into the arm until the latch engages.

Order matters for the black adjustment knob on the rafter arm. The service manual says it "should not be tightened down until after the awning is rolled up and the travel lock is engaged." When you next open the awning, loosen that knob first. Dometic warns that opening it with the knob tight "can damage the slider."

The Sunchaser 8500 and 9000 geared awning winds in with a crank. Its manual (Form 3315089.000) says to squeeze each rafter into its arm "until the arm safety lock clicks securely in place," then tighten the rafter knob.

Lippert Solera pull strap awning

Lippert's owner's manual (CCD-0001400, Rev 02.15.19) has two parts to set. To open, you pull down on the cam lock with the "L" end of the pull rod. To close, you pull the strap slightly to take the load off the cam lock, then walk the awning in "until it stops." Next, find the locking latch and "Lock the latch to secure the awning in place." Lippert notes the latch "may or may not be installed on one or both support arms. If not installed, awning is secured and ready for transportation."

The half-turn test for a worn cam lock

A lock that is set but worn can still let the roll creep. Dometic's service manual gives a test for its A&E awnings. Unlock the arms. Set the lever to ROLL UP. Hook the pull rod into the strap and try to open the awning. "If the roller tube rotates 1/2 turn or more the cam lock must be replaced."

Test the other way too. Open the awning fully with the lever at ROLL DOWN. Grip the tube and try to turn it the way it rolls up. Half a turn or more means the cam lock "must be repaired or replaced."

Lippert lists two signs of a faulty cam lock on the Solera: no clicking noise as the awning rolls out, and the awning rolling back up after you stop it. Both mean the lock is not holding.

Before every drive

• Manual awning: lever at ROLL UP, both travel locks latched, knobs tight.
• Power awning: fully in, with the switch or app showing closed.
• Winnebago View, Navion or Era with the 23V-694 fix: starting the engine should pull the awning in.
• Walk around the RV and look along the roll for a loose flap of fabric.
• Check again at the first stop, as RV awning care and wind safety advises.

If you are choosing between types, power vs manual RV awnings weighs these failure risks against cost and convenience.

Where this answer stops applying

This page covers the five US recalls named above, as filed by November 2026. A power awning from another maker can still open in transit, and none of them will match it. Then a dealer has to find the cause, and you should report it to the RV maker and to NHTSA: Winnebago's recall began with one driver's report. In Canada, Winnebago's dealer letter gives the View, Navion and Era fix as Transport Canada recall 2024-008. The manual steps come from specific Dometic and Lippert models. Other awnings, window awnings and slide toppers have their own latches, so use your own manual. Keep the dealer's repair order once a recall is done. It is your proof the work was carried out.

Key takeaways

• A power awning that opens in transit may be a recalled defect: Carefree Freestyle gearbox housings 015933-001 and 015933-002 can crack.
• Winnebago Travato, View, Navion and Era recalls add a parking brake interlock and firmware. Travatos fixed under 22V-696 need the newer 23V-627 fix.
• Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, and call Carefree about its gearbox recalls, which are filed against the part.
• A manual awning opens on the road when the travel locks are not latched or the cam lock lever is not at ROLL UP.
• Dometic: if the tube turns half a turn or more against the cam lock, replace the cam lock.

Frequently asked questions

Why did my electric RV awning open while driving?

On several Carefree Freestyle installations, the gearbox housing can crack and let the awning extend, which is why Carefree recalled housings 015933-001 and 015933-002. Winnebago and Jayco have recalled motorhomes for the same symptom. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and call Carefree at 1-800-621-2617. The fix is free.

Why did my manual RV awning unroll on the highway?

One of two locks was not set: the cam lock lever on the roller end cap was not at ROLL UP, or the arm travel locks were not latched. A worn cam lock has the same effect. Dometic's test is to try turning the roller with the lever set: half a turn or more means the cam lock must be replaced.

Is the Winnebago awning recall fixed if I had the switch put in?

Not for a Travato. The switch and firmware were the 22V-696 fix. NHTSA's record for 23V-627 says vans repaired under 22V-696 "will need to have the new remedy completed." That newer fix adds a parking brake interlock module and new awning firmware.

Can I drive with an awning that opened once and went back in?

Only once you know why it opened. Check for a recall first. Until the fix is done, keep the awning switched off or locked, and check it at every stop. If the motor end is cracked or grinding, have it seen before a long drive.

Sources and further reading

• NHTSA: Recall acknowledgement 23E-096, Carefree Freestyle gearbox housing 015933-001 (December 27, 2023)
• NHTSA: Recall record 22E-094, Carefree Freestyle gearbox housing 015933-002
• NHTSA: Part 573 Safety Recall Report 22V-696, Winnebago Travato, 13 ft Freestyle awning 339810-01
• NHTSA: Recall record 23V-627, Winnebago Travato, replaces 22V-696
• NHTSA: Recall 23V-694, Winnebago campaign 179: dealer letter, owner letter and work instructions, with the recall record
• NHTSA: Owner letter 24V-055, Jayco Solstice and Entegra Expanse, with the recall record
• Dometic: A&E 8000, 8500 and 9000 Operating Instructions, Form No. 3103435.008
• Dometic: Awning Diagnostic Service Manual, A&E, Sunchaser, 8500 and 9000, Form No. 3106934.015
• Dometic: Sunchaser 8500 and 9000 Geared Awning Operating Instructions, Form No. 3315089.000
• Dometic: 8300, 8500 and 9000 Installation Instructions, Form No. 3109969.042
• NHTSA: Recall record 22V-695, Winnebago View, Era and Navion, superseded by 23V-694
• Lippert: Solera Pull Strap Awning Owner's Manual, CCD-0001400