Re: A&E awning tension
I should have asked how long your awning is also, that determines how many winds you put on the springs. If your awning is about 20', you want to wind each end about 15 turns. You do this by taking the cap of the awning arm, which is the end of the spring also, and rotating it.
The front arm: stand facing down the length of the awning looking toward the back of the trailer, rotate cap counter-clockwise. On this end the ratchet will help you by not letting the spring release itself.
On the rear arm: Stand looking down the awning again, but looking at the front of the trailer. Wind the cap clockwise. On this end be very careful. When the spring has 12-15 turns it gets dangerous. Use vise grips and you must clamp the shaft where you can hold it till you get it into the arm and secured with the screw.
NOW you mentioned that the rear does not have tension either, your spring might be broken, unless you let it unwind when you were changing the arm. If so, just rewind it. If your spring is broken, you wont be able to wind it and get any tension.