Thule Medium Awning Gear 1500601221 for Omnistor 5002, 5003, 5200 and V10 - Gear Assembly with Crank Coupling Funnel

The Thule medium awning gear is a genuine spare part with the number 1500601221, listed in the Thule spare parts catalogue as "Gear assy + coupling funnel". It fits Thule Omnistor 5002, 5003, 5200 and V10 awnings fitted to motorhomes, caravans and vans. This is the part you hook the crank handle into when you open or close the awning by hand. The gear sits in the side end plate of the awning housing and transfers the turning of the crank to the roller tube with the fabric. If the crank slips, the gear grinds, turns stiffly or the awning does not hold its position, replacing this gear is usually enough and you do not need a whole new awning. The part is made of metal: a round gear housing with a square drive socket and threaded holes, and an articulated crank coupling, also called a coupling funnel, coming out of it. The joint lets you turn the crank at an angle without standing directly below the awning. The net weight of the part is about 500 g. The product photo also shows two screws and two serrated washers next to the gear.

Key features

• genuine Thule spare part, no. 1500601221
• for Thule Omnistor 5002, 5003, 5200 and V10 awnings
• medium version, different from the large gear for Omnistor 4000, 5500, 5575, 5800 and 8000
• gear and articulated crank coupling funnel in one assembly
• square socket that drives the roller tube
• for manual operation with a Thule hook crank
• metal construction
• net weight approx. 500 g

How the awning gear works

On a manually operated Thule Omnistor awning, the fabric is wound on a roller tube inside the housing. The roller tube does not turn by itself: it is driven by a gear on one side, in the end plate of the housing. An articulated crank coupling leads to the gear, and you hook the crank into it. The gear turns each rotation of the crank into a rotation of the roller tube, so the fabric rolls out or in with little effort, and when you stop cranking the awning stays where it is. The joint between the gear and the coupling lets you turn the crank at an angle while standing next to the vehicle. The awning arms (or the spring arms on the 5200) guide the front rail and tension the fabric, but the gear does all the work of opening and closing. That is why you feel wear on it straight away when cranking.

Which awnings it fits

• Thule Omnistor 5200, the popular wall awning for motorhomes and vans (item 7 in the Thule spare parts list for this model).
• Thule Omnistor 5003, the roof awning for motorhomes.
• Thule Omnistor 5002, the older wall awning that came before the 5200.
• Thule Omnistor V10.
• Omnistor 4000, 5500, 5575, 5800 and 8000 awnings use a larger gear. For them, use the large gear listed in the related products section.
• Omnistor 6200 and 9200 awnings use separate gears, this part does not fit them.
• Versions with a 12 V motor have a different drive. This gear is designed for awnings operated with a hand crank.

How to check that this is the right part

• Read the awning model on the sticker or label on the housing, usually near the end plate or on the underside of the cassette. Look for 5002, 5003, 5200 or V10.
• Compare the old gear with the photo: a round housing with a square socket in the middle and an articulated crank coupling coming out of it.
• If you have the awning documentation, look for the number 1500601221 in the parts list.
• If in doubt, send us a photo of the label and the old part and we will help you choose the right one.

Signs of a worn gear

• The crank slips or spins without moving the awning.
• You hear grinding or clicking, or feel uneven resistance when cranking.
• The awning only opens or closes with a lot of effort, although the fabric and arms are not blocked.
• The extended awning does not hold its position and moves on its own.
• The crank coupling has play, is cracked, or the crank hook falls out of it.
• With these symptoms, first check that nothing is blocking the fabric and arms. If everything moves freely, the gear is usually the cause.

Step-by-step replacement

• Extend the awning by a few dozen centimetres and secure the arms so they cannot open further under spring tension.
• Slacken the fabric slightly so the roller tube is not under tension while you remove the gear.
• Remove the end cap on the crank side and undo the screws holding the end plate with the gear to the awning housing.
• Carefully slide the end plate assembly off the square end of the roller tube. Make sure the other end of the roller tube does not come out of its mount on the opposite side.
• On a bench, unscrew the old gear from the end plate and fit the new one in the same position.
• Slide the assembly back onto the square end of the roller tube, screw the end plate back on and refit the end cap.
• Wind the awning in with the crank until the arms take up the tension, remove the arm restraint and check the awning over its full range.
• The exact sequence depends on the awning model. If you have no experience with awnings, have a service centre do the job. Use a stable ladder when working at height and work with two people.

Use and care

• Hook the crank fully into the coupling and turn it evenly, without jerking.
• Do not keep cranking once the awning is fully extended. The fabric will then start to wind onto the roller tube the other way round.
• When closing, stop as soon as the front rail reaches the housing and do not force the crank.
• Close the awning in strong wind and before you drive off, so you do not overload the gear and arms.
• If you close the awning wet, open it to dry at the next opportunity.
• After the season, check that the crank coupling has no play or cracks and that the gear runs evenly in both directions.

Matching Thule products

• Thule Omnistor awning crank handle 102-155 cm - adjustable length
• Thule Omnistor telescopic crank handle - for awnings from 1992
• Thule crank holder 1500601222 - set of 2 for storing the crank
• Thule large awning gear - for Omnistor 4000, 5500, 5575, 5800 and 8000
• Thule Omnistor 6200 awning gear

Technical data

Manufacturer

Thule NV, Kortrijkstraat 343, 8930 Menen, Belgium.