
FREEDOM FREESTYLE WM Service Manual Carefree of Colorado
4 052573-301r8
REPLACING THE LEAD RAIL
This procedure requires a minimum of two people. This can be done while the awning is mounted on the vehicle.
If being done before the awning is mounted, set the awning on a clean hard surface such as the floor of the shop.
1. Open the awning completely. There should be some slack in the fabric. If necessary, adjust the motor limits
so that the motor can extend far enough to create slack in the fabric (refer to page 13).
2. Remove the LH and RH end plates and set aside.
3. Carefully measure and record the locations of the ramps, arm connectors and Direct Response module.
4. Loosen and slide out the outer ramps.
5. Loosen the screws on the Direct Response module. Twist the brackets slightly and lift the sensor and
brackets away from the lead rail. Disconnect the module from the wire harness. Quick connects are
found behind the module.
NOTE: It will be necessary to hold and support the lead rail during the removal and assembly.
6. Loosen the arm connector screw for one arm and slide the arm and connector out of the lead rail.
Allow the arm to extend fully and support the arm with a ladder or scaffolding.
7. Repeat for the second arm.
NOTE: If the unit has a center arm, loosen the screw. The arm connector is moved as the lead rail is
slipped from the canopy.
8. Loosen and slide out the center ramp.
9. Slide the lead rail off the canopy fabric. If the unit has a center arm, slide the arm out of the lead rail
while sliding the lead rail off the fabric.
INSTALLING THE NEW LEAD RAIL
1. Mark the new lead rail with the dimensions and locations measured previously.
NOTICE While the awning fabric is fairly robust, care must be taken not to snag it while sliding
the new fabric into the roller tube or lead rail.
Tip: Lightly spraying the slots with a dry silicone lubricant will help the fabric slide into the slot without
staining the material.
2. Lift the lead rail up and slide onto the fabric. Center the fabric in the lead rail. If the unit has a center
arm, begin sliding the arm into the lead rail at the same time.
3. Slide the center ramp into the lead rail. Do not tighten at this time.
4. Slide one arm connector into the lead rail.
5. Slide the other arm connector into the lead rail.
6. Align the arm connectors with the measurement marks made previously and tighten the screws.
7. Route the sensor cable behind the new connector. Reconnect the module to the wire harness.
Position the module and brackets and tighten the screws.
8. Slide the outer ramps onto the lead rail and align with the measurement marks. Align the center ramp in the
center of the lead rail. Tighten all screws to 25-30 in-lbs.
9. Attach the end plates. The top screws are the fabric retaining screws.
NOTE: The top screw secures the fabric in the lead rail. The screw should be positioned to thread into
the metal of the lead rail and the edge of the polycord.
10. After installing the lead rail, it may be necessary to adjust the motor limits for motorized awnings. Refer
to "Adjusting the Motor Limits" on page 13.
End Plate End Plate
Ramp Arm Connector RampArm Connector
Center Ramp
(centered in lead rail)
Measure Locations Measure Locations
View of Back of Lead Rail
FF014
Direct Response
Module