Newby, when to roll up awning

bayleightucker · 03-30-2012, 12:17 AM

Our first trip out we had severe rain and wind approx. 20 mph. I got a little nervous and rolled up the awning. Noticed sone around us did as well but others left them out, any rule of thumb on this? Thanks

Murphie · 03-30-2012, 02:06 AM

Bay, I think you made the right call. It does say in the instructions to do just that. The manual ones have the ability to be tied down better, but with an electric awninging your dealing with a different animal. I've only had the electric one for a year but would have made the same call. Better that than having a broken one. Ive read where the wind can wip your awning up on top of your roof, bending the arms.I saw a post where someone made support arms that came up from the ground and had the roller rest in a holder at the top of the arms. Something I might do as well.

NoRegrets · 03-30-2012, 05:08 AM

Great and timely question. We are heading out for our first trip today and are expecting some rain overnight. And I was wondering the same thing. The winds are not suppose to be too bad (5-7 mph), so I figured I would leave it out during the day while I can monitor it. But assumed I should close it at night.

Which makes me think of a related question. Do you always roll it up at night anyway no matter what?

Thanks

Quahog · 03-30-2012, 05:18 AM

If the weather is decent and the winds are calm, I leave it out. But if the wind starts kicking up and I see it starting to flap, I take it in and leave it in until the wind subsides. Better to be safe than sorry.

mcfarmall · 03-30-2012, 05:19 AM

As I mentioned in a previous post, I keep an ear close to the NOAA weather radio. If they are forecasting just rain and light winds, I pitch the awning to the rear of the trailer or the lowest point of the campsite if it slopes. If they call for heavy rain and high winds, I roll the whole thing up, especially before bedtime....I don't dig getting up in the middle of the night to roll up the awning in the rain. The ends of the awning are tied down using ratchet straps and screw in earth anchors, the auger style not corkscrew.

If we are going to be away from the campsite all day and there is the slightest chance for gusty winds. we roll it up.

The bottom line is how much do you want to spend? If you are tight like me you'll err on the side of caution...it doesn't cost a penny to furl and unfurl the awning but it gets pricey once it's wrapped over the roof of your rig.

**norty1** · 03-30-2012, 06:11 AM

If it is an electric awning, you can bring it part of the way just in case. I do just that- often if rain is forecast. Keeps the steps dry but reduces the danger of a wind a gust doing damage.

Nothing can ruin a trip like a damaged awning.

When I had a manual awning, I never left it untied when unattended. Seen to many damaged by wind gusts.

wiscampsin · 03-30-2012, 06:49 AM

How long does it take to roll in an electric awning?
How long does it take to replace a wind damaged electric awning?

Trust your instincts. 20 mph winds I'd probably roll mine in too.

3'senough · 03-30-2012, 06:59 AM

If I can hear thunder I bring it in under most cases here in the NE there are always some sort of gusts with them and there is not much to support the power awnings. Showers and all day rain I usually will leave it out or atleast half way which does make a difference.

Last year I was camped out in the open and a storm popped up. One unit a few sites down took a shot from a 10x10 popup through the sidewall of his unit from a neighbors site that was ill prepared. Punched a 3x3 hole almost clear through the fiberglass side.

Second one I saw in the same season was the old leave the campsite with the awning out because it was sunny. Well guess what? It rained that night and pooled in the manual awning. I came out in the AM to see that it ripped it clear off the TT side wall and crashed down over his site. When they returned the next day he was out there for 2 hours removing the framework and he was not happy.

Point here is 2 fold wind is unpredictable and it only takes 2 seconds for it to tear off your awning in the right gusts. Also I don't leave the site with my awning out in most cases. 30 Seconds to hold the button for retracting is time well spent IMHO. Sure the site get's a little wet but it's going to get wet anyway in most cases with the wind driven rain.

rwilley · 03-30-2012, 08:45 AM

If I think there is chance of wind I bring the awning in.

drfife · 03-30-2012, 08:51 AM

I have a 21' manual awning. I leave it extended in the rain. The only time I'll stow it is when the wind gets VERY strong.

rodro123 · 03-30-2012, 09:10 AM

20 mph wind I roll up as well. If its a nice day full sun very little wind its out all day but at night rolled up we like to look up at the stars

altar1 · 03-30-2012, 10:41 AM

A couple of years ago in Canada, we went for a day trip and left our awning out. It was a nice bright sunny day. At mid day, a horrid thunderstorm blew in for about an hour. We returned to find our awning blown around but ok. Three other rigs had their awnings shredded. One of them was on it's maiden trip. My awning always goes in now when I am gone all day, or at any hint of wind during the night.

Tom

Jrmay25 · 03-30-2012, 10:23 PM

Anyone bought and installed the vibration/wind sensor attachment? I bought one for our 2011 but the camper was destroyed before I had a chance to install it. WIll be putting it on our 2012 instead. Only cost $100.00 directly from my dealer and seemed like it would be a few hour install. Here is a link to what I'm talking about: http://www.rvsupplywarehouse.com/pro...l.cfm/pid/4316

**norty1** · 03-31-2012, 06:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jrmay25

Anyone bought and installed the vibration/wind sensor attachment? I bought one for our 2011 but the camper was destroyed before I had a chance to install it. WIll be putting it on our 2012 instead. Only cost $100.00 directly from my dealer and seemed like it would be a few hour install. Here is a link to what I'm talking about: http://www.rvsupplywarehouse.com/pro...l.cfm/pid/4316

I have a friend who is not to crazy about it, but is very entertaining watching his awning go in and out all the time. He says it is to sensitive.

His has a remote, so he just brings it back out for a few minutes till it cycles again.

allen8106 · 03-31-2012, 07:47 AM

Never leave your awning out over night. You will anger the winds gods and will wake up finding your awning on the roof where it's not supposed to be!!!!

**Snake Plissken** · 03-31-2012, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drfife

I have a 21' manual awning. I leave it extended in the rain. The only time I'll stow it is when the wind gets VERY strong.

I've lowered mine so that it's up but not out (if you know what I mean). It's almost impossible for the wind to damage it but it still covers anything I have under the awning.

CruizinKim · 03-31-2012, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by allen8106

Never leave your awning out over night. You will anger the winds gods and will wake up finding your awning on the roof where it's not supposed to be!!!!

This is true! I think it MUST be one of 'Murphy's Laws!'

fidalgo66 · 03-31-2012, 11:38 AM

We almost always roll it up at night. So easy to do, and I don't have to worry about it.

clutch · 03-31-2012, 05:18 PM

Ours is electric. It is rolled up every night and every time we leave camp. When I don't feel comfortable with it out in the wind it is time to roll it up. It all would depend on your comfort level.

dmax_83 · 03-31-2012, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drfife

I have a 21' manual awning. I leave it extended in the rain. The only time I'll stow it is when the wind gets VERY strong.

Same, except mine is only 20'. The camper is 13 years old and I have only retracted it 4 times due to weather, otherwise I just pitch it for the rain and have tie downs for the wind. I like to sit under it during the rain and it also keeps my grill and other random camping gear dry.

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