When your Carefree patio awning arm no longer extends smoothly or collapses under its own weight, the gas shock strut is almost always the culprit. Part R001252 is the direct OEM replacement strut for select Eclipse, Eclipse XL, and Travel'r awning arm assemblies, restoring the controlled, damped motion Carefree designed into these systems from the factory.
Gas shock struts in RV awning arms wear out over time -- the internal gas charge slowly bleeds down, leaving the arm sluggish on extension or unable to hold position during setup. Replacing the strut with a genuine Carefree R001252 brings the arm back to factory feel: controlled resistance when opening and positive damping when closing.
This is a genuine Carefree of Colorado part, engineered specifically for the Eclipse and Travel'r arm geometry. Aftermarket struts with similar dimensions often use the wrong end-fitting style or incorrect gas charge, resulting in either a stiff, hard-to-extend arm or one that still won't hold position. The R001252 is matched to these awning families from the start.
Engineered by Carefree specifically for Eclipse, Eclipse XL, and Travel'r awning arm assemblies -- no modification needed.
Internal nitrogen charge provides controlled extension resistance and smooth retraction through the full range of arm travel.
End fittings match the factory mounting points in the arm. No drilling, no adapters, no fabrication required.
Sold under the Carefree of Colorado brand with UPC 00740544521455, ensuring correct charge rate and fitting geometry.
The gas shock strut lives inside the main awning arm rafter. It acts as both an extension assist and a damper, resisting sudden uncontrolled movement in either direction. A failed strut typically presents as one of the following:
If your awning fabric, hardware, and ratchet mechanism are all in good condition but the arm behavior is off, the strut is almost certainly the issue. Replacing it is a straightforward repair that does not require removing the entire awning system.
Part R001252 is designed for use in the Eclipse, Eclipse XL, and Travel'r patio awning arm assemblies made by Carefree of Colorado. Check your awning label or arm casting for the model designation before ordering. Carefree makes several strut part numbers for different awning families -- using the wrong one will result in incorrect extension force or mismatched end fittings.
Installation typically involves extending the awning arm, locating the strut mounting pins or ball studs at each end of the strut, and depressing the retaining clips to release the strut from the arm body. The new R001252 snaps into the same mounting points. No special tools are required in most configurations, though a helper makes the job easier and safer. Always fully retract and secure the awning before beginning work.
Most Carefree patio awning systems use one strut per arm, and most installations have two arms -- meaning a full awning restoration typically requires two struts (one per side). If both arms are showing the same symptoms, replacing both struts at the same time is strongly recommended to keep extension force balanced across the awning.