FYI Newmar just doesn’t seem to get it!

[TJ&LadyDi]

On our DS there are actually two white cords plugged into 120v outlets, one for each awning.

Correct t! We did not opt for the second awning. One seems to be more than enough to deal with!

TJ

 

[lostinfla]

On our DS there are actually two white cords plugged into 120v outlets, one for each awning.

Same here.

 

[J&JD]

I have posted this before. Adding these switched plugs makes it easy to turn the awnings on/off.

On my coach I could just flip the GFI in the halfbath vanity ( it controls the plug where the awnings are plugged in) if I didn’t care that other outlets would also be affected.

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

I have posted this before. Adding these switched plugs makes it easy to turn the awnings on/off.

If only they were available with the switch on the left side when plugged in. All the ones I’ve seen have the switch on the right side where it would be hidden from sight in the cargo bay of our coach. There were a couple with the switch on top, but again, it would be hidden from view in our coach.

I can visually confirm that the plug has been pulled.

TJ

 

[J&JD]

If only they were available with the switch on the left side when plugged in. All the ones I’ve seen have the switch on the right side where it would be hidden from sight in the cargo bay of our coach. There were a couple with the switch on top, but again, it would be hidden from view in our coach.

I can visually confirm that the plug has been pulled.

TJ

No problem as I’m going to rotate my receptacle180 degrees

 

[J&JD]

If only they were available with the switch on the left side when plugged in. All the ones I’ve seen have the switch on the right side where it would be hidden from sight in the cargo bay of our coach. There were a couple with the switch on top, but again, it would be hidden from view in our coach.

I can visually confirm that the plug has been pulled.

TJ

You might consider these:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079MFTYMV/?tag=rvf01-20

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

No problem as I’m going to rotate my receptacle180 degrees

I suppose rotating the outlet would be an option. That would put the switch on the outboard side.

TJ

 

[MapNerd]

I suppose rotating the outlet would be an option. That would put the switch on the outboard side.

TJ

I’m with TJ. I have just unplugged mine and keep them that way until they are used.

NOW if you could put the outlet on a remote…Oh wait…

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

You might consider these:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079MFTYMV/?tag=rvf01-20

No thanks. Remote control stuff is part of the current problem. I don’t want to add another layer of it.

TJ

 

[Neal]

Those outlets should be on a breaker.

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

Those outlets should be on a breaker.

I’m sure they are. Not sure what else might be on the same breaker.

TJ

 

[MapNerd]

Those outlets should be on a breaker.

They are, but I presume you mean by themselves, in which case I agree.

I don’t understand how Newmar was able to make certain that my jacks won’t work when the engine is off but to do the same for the the awnings is somehow a mystery.

 

[Neal]

I don’t understand how Newmar was able to make certain that my jacks won’t work when the engine is off but to do the same for the the awnings is somehow a mystery.

Following an engineering spec I presume. Did Girard direct this "feature"? Go back to Girard and ask them if they directed Newmar to wire an engine disconnect. Newmar may not be at fault here.

 

[MapNerd]

Following an engineering spec I presume. Did Girard direct this "feature"? Go back to Girard and ask them if they directed Newmar to wire an engine disconnect. Newmar may not be at fault here.

Girard provides an ignition lockout with their awnings. I doubt they do so for Newmar to ignore it. So either Newmar isn’t installing it properly on some coaches, or they are and it doesn’t work properly.

hopefully @TJ&LadyDi will fill us in once his humpty is made dumpty again by Girard

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

We will be asking a lot of “Humpty Dumpty” questions and will definitely report the answers we get. Pretty obviously, the ignition interlock in our coach (if it was installed) didn’t work in at least one instance. Whether that was due to (a) it not being installed by Newmar, (b) not being properly wired by Newmar or (c) a defective unit provided by Girard to Newmar is unknown at this point.

Let me reiterate, however, that I get the sense Girard is genuinely concerned about what caused our awning to extend and wants to find the answer. They have been great to work with thus far and I’m convinced that will continue.

TJ

 

[Jim]

I have little tolerance for corporations who take $500K of my money and then consider "unplugging the plug" as a reasonable alternative to experiencing a disastrous mishap.

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

I have little tolerance for corporations who take $500K of my money and then consider "unplugging the plug" as a reasonable alternative to experiencing a disastrous mishap.

You would be amazed at the number of people I’ve heard from who think my frustration with Newmar over this is completely unreasonable. And, very few of them are Newmar owners. Interesting.

Fortunately, Girard has been great about stepping up, and I’m confident the issue will be resolved satisfactorily. I still have not received any response directly from Newmar.

TJ

 

[J&JD]

I suppose rotating the outlet would be an option. That would put the switch on the outboard side.

TJ

This looks like a quick solution for switching the awning plugs:

 

[Old-RV'er]

Ours must be different than all the others, because on my panel above drivers position, I have awning panel, one switch off/on; one switch extend/retract; one switch wind sensor, high/medium/low. We have never had awning extend going down road, as I turn off switch as part of pre-departure check list. Normally, we don't use awning much anyway, berceuse I don't want to lose it if wind just does a wonkey thing.

FWIW-This will be our last Motorhome/RV period. The lifestyle/experience has lost it's allure because of many factors, not the least of which is impossibly of making a trip plan and getting into the places we want to get into, the rudeness of fellow campers. But mostly, the number of people who now own them and are just too stupid to do so, and no I am not talking about a "learning curve" actually the intelligence quotient needed to operate a large vehicle safely and professionally.

 

[svoshop]

I am not talking about a "learning curve" actually the intelligence quotient needed to operate a large vehicle safely and professionally.

Not to get OT. But my friend, this is modern society. It’s not just camping or RV ownership. It’s the programming that we are installing into people. It’s the lack of common sense. Quite scary actually.
Mike.