Is it safe to leave awning up when away from vehicle?

[Parcany]

When we were staying at HonDah rv park in Lakeside/Pinetop my awning was out for the full 4 months. Only thing was we had struts holding the awning and was also strapped to the ground. Never had a problem. But it is your call.

[TaftCoach]

I would put it up when we arrived and take it down when we packed up to leave.

Then I replaced one that was damaged.

Now if I'm not under it, it's rolled up.

[norty1]

Originally Posted by jetlag

Where are you headed for six weeks?? Jealous

Cross Creek RV park in Maggie Valley, NC

[TxLoser]

I have always retracted mine when not there and when inside at night. Well, till this most recent trip and it almost cost me. He no wind for 3 days where we were. Nothing in the forecast either. Had the awnings out the entire time. Then, the last evening, thankfully my 12 year old alerted me to a bunch of noise outside. Sudden panic as I realize the wind has kicked up from a pop up storm and both awnings are flapping like kites fighting the hardware to escape. Thankfully I got them in without damage, but it was an ugly site.

So, awnings in when away or any time I can’t have eyes on them.

[kirkelli]

Last time we were at Lake Isabella a few weeks ago, we actually saw a full 4 man tent skimming across the water from a sudden wind gust... Never leave your awning extended unintended. You never know when a wind gust will appear and when it does, its too late..

[Camping family]

Originally Posted by Ann-Marie

How tough is the awning. I always panic and close it when it gets windy, and stow it before leaving. Am I being paranoid?

It does help considerably for keeping cool.

Never never. Unless u want to replace it. Doesn’t take much for a storm or wind to come up n it’s gone

[CGat]

Originally Posted by Midnightmoon

If I am in an area where any type of storm is possible, I roll the awning in. Better to be safe than sorry.

I agree. If I leave the campground for any period of time, I put it in.

[MJJPhotos]

I'm on my 3rd awning. I have a lower end Jay Flight 265SLX. My Carefree awning was el-cheapo and poorly mounted. Had it out in some rain, got a sudden down pour and it didn't auto dump like the salesman said it would. Rather it just ripped right off the camper and crumpled. Happened the first week I owned it. 2nd one was out while camping and left it out overnight, no storms were predicted, but one with 60 mph winds poped up in the night. My wife woke me up to quickly put it away. But as I was winding it in it ripped off and became a roof cover. I now have a manual one, they are a lot stronger but will still rip off in a bad storm.

[mscoop]

We have already lost 2 awnings to wind/rain. Once at the house, the other at a campground. I recommend rolling it in.
Also, as another mentioned: I like to shut off the water if leaving for a while.

[apdr]

It costs you $0 and 20 seconds if you close up the awning and it turns out you didn’t need to do it.
But it costs you $2000 and several days/weeks/months to get a replacement if you left it open and should have closed it.

[BeachRock2020]

You can get a Carefree automatic awning retraction kit on Amazon for less than $125.00. Plus installation.

Could save you lots of $$$.

[BCx213]

Originally Posted by Ann-Marie

How tough is the awning. I always panic and close it when it gets windy, and stow it before leaving. Am I being paranoid?

It does help considerably for keeping cool.

I retract it when we are away from site and when we are sleeping. Ours got heavily damaged when we left it open overnight. We have no idea what damaged it, there was a reported bear in the area. Had to file an insurance claim. $300 deductible and 20% depreciation despite my awning was in prestine condition

[joe w]

If we leave the site we retract it and shut off the water.

[midnight286]

We usually never left our awning out for this very reason. One day, went on a ride, left it out and fully locked the camper so our buddy camping with us just had to watch as the wind kicked up and eventually ripped about 8 inches off one side by the time we got back to retract it. Used clear gorilla tape to get it back on the roller and it’s been ok like that for a season, even in heavy rain.

[Hollander Mutthaulers]

Originally Posted by Radar57

Roll it in and shut off the water before leaving your site for any length of time. Cheap insurance.

X2 Awning is in if I'm not present. I turn off water with a on/off in-line valve when I leave camp.

[RedHorse1]

Originally Posted by Ann-Marie

How tough is the awning. I always panic and close it when it gets windy, and stow it before leaving. Am I being paranoid?

It does help considerably for keeping cool.

I would say wise not paranoid!
In Galveston couple years ago we saw MANY new rigs owned by new campers. Many had awnings out and were at the pool. A t-storm popped up and damaged 2 awnings in our immediate area.
I repeat, wise not paranoid.

[Big1]

I always roll my up but one time I was lucky that when I came back it was still there.

[Tuckerbug]

Originally Posted by Ann-Marie

How tough is the awning. I always panic and close it when it gets windy, and stow it before leaving. Am I being paranoid?

It does help considerably for keeping cool.

I always roll them in before leaving or going to bed.
Unless you want to come home to this...(see attached photo)

That's not my camper, just one I saw in a campground after some high wind came thru.

[Insist on live music]

After losing our awning from a sudden rogue storm, we upgraded it with a automatic wind sensor kit. Cost about $700. Three settings. It will automatically retract upon sensing gust of wind.

[TaftCoach]

We have left one thing out of the answers, manual or electric. Decades ago with a manual awning it stayed up for the duration. But, I used all my Boy Scout and engineering skills to create a wind proof setup. There were weights, multiple guy lines, strategically planned slopes, and backups.

Now with an electric with no lines to trip on, (only arms to hit my head), pressing a button for a minute or so is cheap insurance.