Patio Awnings - Tie Downs?

[Jopopsy]

Do you guys use any form of tie down on your electric patio awning?

[TWP723]

Don't have a Class C but, yes. But only if it gets windy with strong gusts. I use hurricane straps. Ratchet straps with hooks.

[Robbbyr]

I do not since my unit has the "Direct Response" electronics that sense high winds and stores the awning automatically. My unit did not initially have that feature, I purchased the Carefree add-on and installed it myself.

While not for everyone, it does give us peace of mind when we leave the unit with the awning out.

[Grumpy]

Tied down both the SENECA and now the PINNACLE, use a strap, chain and awning hold down spring. Be sure you put tie down on the tube and not the arm and don't pull down too hard, that is why I use the spring.

If it looks like the weather is going to get too "wild" I will untie and roll it up.

[reitrof]

Started doing that his winter. Dog screws in the ground and tent slip rope. Seems to work fine, but if it's very windy i just bring in the awning.

[rgolding]

Not directly on a Seneca, but on two trailers with electric awnings, we have used the same set of extendable painter's poles that are telescoping and have had U shaped or forked tool holders, screwed and epoxied in to the ends. This gives the same support as manual awnings with the legs extended. Tie down ropes, or straps with some form of elastic shock absorber, complete the installation. Works great! and keeps the awning under control.

[Edd505]

Nope I never leave the awning out if I am not in camp it's easy to push a button and not worry about wind damage. Wind quits push the button again.

[Robbbyr]

Direct Response electronics, best of both worlds! Shade to keep unit cooler until wind kicks up, then it puts itself away! Had it also on my prior unit (a 2006), I never had any wind-damage awning trouble. I generally left it out while camping when away.

For me it was about a $90.00 investment, installed it myself. An added benefit (over original) was that now it is "one push" retract. Formerly I had to hold the button in "retract" position until it was all the way in. Now just push "retract" once, it puts itself away.

[Edd505]

I'll have to check em out, never seen one.

[mcsenerd]

Originally Posted by Robbbyr

Direct Response electronics, best of both worlds! Shade to keep unit cooler until wind kicks up, then it puts itself away! Had it also on my prior unit (a 2006), I never had any wind-damage awning trouble. I generally left it out while camping when away.

For me it was about a $90.00 investment, installed it myself. An added benefit (over original) was that now it is "one push" retract. Formerly I had to hold the button in "retract" position until it was all the way in. Now just push "retract" once, it puts itself away.

You wouldn't perhaps be talking about THIS would you? If so, was it too hard to install? I might do that myself if it's not too much trouble. Looks like a good upgrade...

[Robbbyr]

Originally Posted by mcsenerd

You wouldn't perhaps be talking about THIS would you? If so, was it too hard to install? I might do that myself if it's not too much trouble. Looks like a good upgrade...

That is indeed what I installed. It comes with two new switches, one is an "On-Off" and the other is the "Extend-Retract". It has a new wiring harness that must be run outside and then through the arms (good instructions provided) to the motor head. Only one arm (always the front?) has the motor where you install the motion sensor and wiring.

I'm sure every coach is different, but my Seneca has all the generator, tanks, leveling, awning, etc. controls in a cabinet right inside the coach entrance door. Inside the panel (behind the switches and such) was an actual chase in the outside wall leading right to the top of my awning mount. The original wiring was there, as well as the awning LED wires. You maintain and still use the original wiring, but it was very easy to get this new wire out and then to the motor. But depending on access, it may be more challenging to get the wire where you need it.

I then had to support the awning while I unbolted the motor, I did that with 12' 2x4s from Home Depot with a block on top cut in a semi-circle to hold the awning up. Lashed them to the coach to hold the awning slightly deployed while installing.

The whole job took me 2 hours or so and I am very pleased with how it came out.

[mcsenerd]

The DW is gonna be angry at you guys now...because now I'm on the hunt for an upgrade

I saw this thing a while back at Amazon and it intrigued me because it automated the whole shebang... But some of the feedback on installation made me hesitate on it.

[Robbbyr]

A little homework before jumping is certainly wise.

The most difficult part of the Carefree Direct Response install would be getting the wiring from the switches to the motor head. Carefree gives the option of coming through the coach sidewall out to the awning bracket and then up, or coming out the top of the bracket where (usually) the factory-installed wiring does. As stated my unit was easy, but I'm sure others are not!

I know other awnings have had similar "air speed" sensors that worked fine originally, but one errant tree branch could clean them right off the coach. A friend had one on a (mostly) stationary trailer that worked fine for years, but then the elements got it and it would not spin freely. Not good, because that made it seem the wind speed was obviously lower than it really was.

The Carefree DR works differently, the electronics sense when the awning is bouncing and trying to "turn" the motor. Too much, and it issues the command to "Retract". No additional moving parts to gum up or break off.

Just other "points to ponder"!

[Edd505]

Carefree Direct Response $450, I think I'll stick with pushing the button

[Robbbyr]

Originally Posted by Edd505

Carefree Direct Response $450, I think I'll stick with pushing the button

Not sure what you are looking at, my kit still available on Amazon for $93. Amazon.com: Carefree (SR0093) 12V Direct Response Upgrade Kit: Automotive

[Edd505]

That's reasonable I didn't see the upgrade kit, here is the $450 version
Carefree SR0036 Eclipse Direct Response Electronics | American RV Company

[edatlanta]

Originally Posted by Edd505

Nope I never leave the awning out if I am not in camp it's easy to push a button and not worry about wind damage. Wind quits push the button again.

I agree. Push the button and rest easy. I have seen awnings wrapped up over the top, arms bent, etc. regardless of how they were tied down. Just not worth the worry for me. Push the button.

[Robbbyr]

Originally Posted by Edd505

That's reasonable I didn't see the upgrade kit, here is the $450 version
Carefree SR0036 Eclipse Direct Response Electronics | American RV Company

That is the kit I installed on my 2006 that had an Eclipse awning. Not sure it would work on the Travl'r I have now. But it does bring other features into play. One advantage to this more expensive kit is that it adds a "Sensitivity" switch to the system allowing you to select at what wind level it retracts. The Travl'r upgrade I installed is preset at "medium".

Another plus to the other kit is that it automates extension as well as retraction. One touch of the appropriate button and it goes either all in or out. You can stop it wherever you want by hitting the switch again.

[Jopopsy]

I'm just going w/ the straps. Camco sells a kit that has the auger anchor, springs, and strap all together.

I do NOT plan on having my awning deployed if its even moderately windy. I agree w/ others up top; I'll just bring the awning in. I'm getting these tie downs to hopefully prevent some damage if I can't get to the button in between my falling out of my camp chair and spilling a can of Daddy Soda all over myself while I valiantly lurch for the button.

When we leave camp, the awning is always in. When we go to sleep, the awning is always in.

Thanks Guys.

[rgolding]

With my description of our pole extensions for an electric awning, I certainly don't want anyone to take a chance with their equipment. For us, we have found that there are many times when there is a cross wind or angle for drainage that we have wanted to achieve and the poles have come in handy. We also have a sun shade that fits in the awning track, because our awning comes out so flat and the poles help holding it for the screen or at a desired angle.