Tying down the RV Awning

[Boudreaux]

I have asked many RV owners and get so many mixed answers. SO I feel that I should give you a chance at this issue.

I know and accept the danger of damage in having the awning out should a dangerous wind come up suddenly and unexpectedly, so the only time the awning is out is in our presents. For this reason, the awning is very seldom used.

I have noticed (while camping) many awnings out and strapped down over the course of a full weekend ... many times no one around.

Many say strapping the awning to the ground is a final solution to potential damage to high winds, others say "NO WAY"...

What is your opinion to strapping the awning to the ground in case of a un-foreseen gust of wind? We are not talking hurricanes here just an un-expected wind.

[Vicr]

The awning can fail at many points. It's just a matter of which points fail depending on how the awning has been deployed in a high wind event. The folks in the strap the awning to the ground crowd risk having the awning ripped from the awning rail on the RV.

[Sundancer330]

Its not worth the risk, I vote NO

[Racinforthefinish]

I have tied down my awning many times to prevent damage from a gust of wind without any problems. If a storm comes up I bring it in. If I leave for the day I bring it in.

[THE MEEKER]

I am NOT a fan of these power awnings. This is one of the reasons I wish a had a manual awning.

On my previous TT with the manual awning, I used to stake down the extension arms directly to the ground and never had any issues. Also was also alot easier to slope it for rain runoff. The rafter arms were alot sturdier also as you applied tension to them to prevent buffeting and shaking during windy conditions.

Since these power awnings are so flimsy, I never leave it extended during windy conditions.

[hboy]

Depending on the awning, I'm with the NO group. I think the older awnings with the posts that would stake to the ground are okay. But the electric awning with the scissor arms and shock just seem too vulnerable. If we had a solid connection to the ground that would be different.

[Tunce the traveler]

Originally Posted by THE MEEKER

I am NOT a fan of these power awnings. This is one of the reasons I wish a had a manual awning.

Since these power awnings are so flimsy, I never leave it extended during windy conditions.

X2

[DrSmart]

Last campground we were at, one owner had eye hooks in the concrete pad that he secured the awning to. Big wind came, eye hooks held, bolts holding awning to trailer didn't. Last year another camping neighbor left the awning out. Big wind came, awning wrapped up and over the roof. Awning arms pretzeled.

[Sundancer330]

Originally Posted by DrSmart

Last campground we were at, one owner had eye hooks in the concrete pad that he secured the awning to. Big wind came, eye hooks held, bolts holding awning to trailer didn't. Last year another camping neighbor left the awning out. Big wind came, awning wrapped up and over the roof. Awning arms pretzeled.

LOL, Cant fix stupid.

[Kim Gass]

Awning out only if we are sitting under it.
Obviously not in wind.
Bear in mind we live in a land of no hot sun.

[Love To Travel 2]

If we are with the MH, the awning can be out. The minute we leave the camp ground or go to bed, it gets rolled in. No stakes or straps for us.

[TCNashville]

My awning is out 24/7 and it's a Carefree electric. I pay close attention to the weather and if no severe weather/high wind event is predicted it stays deployed. I love sitting under the awning during a rain event, it's relaxing.

[GABob]

First time I actually had the opportunity to have the awning out was last weekend. Wind, room, etc. prevented me from using it earlier. Two things:


Thanks to the fellow RV'er who flagged me down as I was pulling out. Was proud of myself that I was ready to roll in short order, just forgot to retract the awning!!!


When I finally extended it, there as a line of mold, dirt on the underside that I didn't catch when washing the RV. Good to watch for if you'r not extending it over time.

[1SGPETE]

Since we spend lots of time on the beaches of the US in our Motor Home, we like to have our awning extended. This is just about impossible on the beach since the wind blows all the time.
I filled two one gallon water bottles with sand, I bungee them from each out side corner of the awning. The wind still lift and causes the awning to bounce a bit , but the bungees bounce with it. So it is a give and take on both the outside edge and the edge against the motor home.

[Screwby]

I’ve lost three sets of awning arms on these Carefree awnings on my 5th wheel. Once was a freak storm that came from nowhere and a gust wrapped it over my roof before I could get both awnings in. Second time was gust of wind on a sunny day with puffy white clouds in the sky. One gust, one bounce, and pretzel arms. Third time was at a campground back in the trees, another gust on a nice day, bounced and arms buckled. These awnings are the bottom of the barrel, shame I have something I’m almost afraid to use. I told the dealer to keep arms in stock just for me since I’m under warranty for another 3 years.
Once my warranty is up I’m looking into something different

[G.Smith]

Mine has been staked out every summer since new 2004. I pin the feet to the ground with spikes, and anchor the rollup bar with tie downs to screw in ground anchors, Fabric flopper stoppers also help keep things tight. If wind picks up, we roll it in and ride out the storm. It has been deployed at times for a full week or more no issues.

[JFlightRisk]

Originally Posted by THE MEEKER

I am NOT a fan of these power awnings. This is one of the reasons I wish a had a manual awning.

On my previous TT with the manual awning, I used to stake down the extension arms directly to the ground and never had any issues. Also was also alot easier to slope it for rain runoff. The rafter arms were alot sturdier also as you applied tension to them to prevent buffeting and shaking during windy conditions.

Since these power awnings are so flimsy, I never leave it extended during windy conditions.

X3. Ours is a manual, and I stake it to the ground with a pair of HF ratchet straps and those nail style stakes. The flapper stops get used, too. I like to sit under it during a rain, also. If there's going to be a serious wind, it does get rolled up. It's just common sense to us.

[Flyrotor]

I have ratchet straps and ground anchors, it stabilizes the small gusts and light winds, anything more than a light wind or sustained gusts, I unhook and roll it up. Never had a problem, trailer is 7 years old.

[RAurand]

Originally Posted by TCNashville

My awning is out 24/7 and it's a Carefree electric. I pay close attention to the weather and if no severe weather/high wind event is predicted it stays deployed. I love sitting under the awning during a rain event, it's relaxing.

I agree,
Same here.

Got to pay attention to the weather. If it is a bad weather day, before we leave, I look at the radar and wind charts and pressure charts. Those pressure charts are great at telling you where the wind will be coming from and about how fast.
If I don't like what I see, the awning comes in.

[jrl]

I agree with the majority. Take it in when your not there.
The safest place for your awning is rolled in. Don't take a chance.