Carefree Awning Tensioner

[UpstateNYer]

Has anyone tried using a center rafter like below on an electric awning? I was hoping this along with adding tilt to the awning would allow me to keep out in the rain etc..

Thoughts?

CAREFREE AWNING TENSION RAFTER VI - PPL Motor Homes

[3'senough]

How steep is your pitch when extended? Mine is about 45 degrees and I use ties downs and lock the star lock arms. Great in the wind and keeps the rain off due to angle and tension.

[UpstateNYer]

Originally Posted by 3'senough

How steep is your pitch when extended? Mine is about 45 degrees and I use ties downs and lock the star lock arms. Great in the wind and keeps the rain off due to angle and tension.

If I am able to get 45 degrees out of it I may be ok. Just been reading about some horror stories here. Our camper getting delivered tomorrow and will check it out. thank you!

[Gobbledot]

Originally Posted by 3'senough

How steep is your pitch when extended? Mine is about 45 degrees and I use ties downs and lock the star lock arms. Great in the wind and keeps the rain off due to angle and tension.

Have you got a pic of how you use the tie downs? My arms keep retracting if I put any tension on them with a tie down. I have tightened the wheel nuts tight as I can with my hands but they still slip..

[3'senough]

Originally Posted by Gobbledot

Have you got a pic of how you use the tie downs? My arms keep retracting if I put any tension on them with a tie down. I have tightened the wheel nuts tight as I can with my hands but they still slip..

I don't have any pics currently sorry. I have a Dometic awning so maybe I can get it tighter. They will move a little bit. The tie downs I have are U clamp tie downs. Not made any longer from what I can see. Velcro release and they go in the tube slot for holding. I have had mine out in 25 MPH side winds and always in the rain due to the pitch being favorable and no puddling at all.

If you do not have a good pitch regardless of what you do there will be pooling.

I do pull in my awning at night and when away regardless of tie downs.

[UpstateNYer]

New camper delivered this weekend. What a test the weather was on the awning. Saturday afternoon we had heavy rain. Adjusted back side down 1 notch and front side 4 notches creating a decent pitch.. Rain ran off like a champ. Today we had high winds, again left awning out and it was very sturdy. Very happy so far, but time will tell. Even if I did want to get the tensioner, the middle point of awning is all window..

[spepi]

I was wondering the same. I had one on an old TT I had, but it was a manual awning. On my 29.5 BHDS, the awning is 21' long. If you look down the length of the awning on the roll, you can actually see how it curves, so the tension bar would tighten the awning as it has alot of sag as well as putting some tension on the roll.