Awnings and Rain?

[mtbbrewer74]

Originally Posted by hoppers4

Nature of the beast. Mine also rolls in and out very slowly.

My manual calls for no more than a three hole differential when rolling up. You can slope it all the way (6 holes) when deployed, just don't roll it up with that differential.

My manual says no more than 3 holes also, but has a notation that if the awning is under 12 feet they have to be even when rolling in and out.

[Chet & Marie]

I set mine at 2 holes and drains fine if TT is level.

[2edgesword]

I'm not concerned with rain as much as wind. If the report is for thunderstorms or high wind gust I'll bring it in to avoid damage from high wind. My awning as a auto dump feature. As rain accumulates the awning is designed to flex on one end to allow rainwater to be dumped. I've seen it in action and it works.

[Bullitt6283]

Always, always tilt the awning if there's a possibility of rain.
Another thing- When deploying the awning, don't stop it at a position where the roller diameter is higher than the end of the awning fabric, causing a DAM.

I violated both these rules exactly one time. When the awning dumped, half the load went into the open door of the RV, the other half dumped directly on my DW who was standing on the top step. Come to think of it, the water which went inside the RV is what bounced off of her.

True story.
.

[Chet & Marie]

I bet that really impressed her Bullit. How long did you spend on the couch over that One??

[Bullitt6283]

Originally Posted by Chet & Marie

I bet that really impressed her Bullit. How long did you spend on the couch over that One??

Had to dry out the couch first....


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[Camper_bob]

Originally Posted by Bullitt6283

Had to dry out the couch first....


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[wabirch]

My oh my, the perils of awning operation.

I still wonder why awning manufacturers can't develop a style that includes the air escape hole found on many patio table umbrellas.

[Jagiven]

Originally Posted by mtbbrewer74

Thanks for all the info. I guess my only option will to tilt it, but un-tilt it before rolling it back in.

I too have mine tilted. One notch at the door, and two notches at the other end. I never straighten it out before putting it away.

Rain flows right off. Wind is what I always worry about.

[mtbbrewer74]

Originally Posted by Jagiven

I too have mine tilted. One notch at the door, and two notches at the other end. I never straighten it out before putting it away.

Rain flows right off. Wind is what I always worry about.

You said you never straighten it before you put it away. How long is your awning?

[Jagiven]

Originally Posted by mtbbrewer74

You said you never straighten it before you put it away. How long is your awning?

Never measured it! It is nearly the full length of the Box, so I would guess 14-16 feet.

[mtbbrewer74]

Originally Posted by Jagiven

Never measured it! It is nearly the full length of the Box, so I would guess 14-16 feet.

Yeah the manual says anything over 12 feet can be 3 positions different. Mine is under 12 feet, so it has to be even.

[gayefromMD]

According to the electric Carefree awning instructions, your awning can be adjusted no more than 3 holes down for it to be electronically rolled up without damage.

[mtbbrewer74]

Originally Posted by gayefromMD

According to the electric Carefree awning instructions, your awning can be adjusted no more than 3 holes down for it to be electronically rolled up without damage.

Well yes and no. It does state that, but it also states that if the awning is under 12 feet it has to be even to roll it up.

[Tim15856]

I had my awning tilted during a light rain. I was under the impression that it has an auto dump feature if the weight gets too much. It didn't work correctly and instead one arm collapsed into a twisted, broken mess. Had to make a service call to try to get it back together enough to get home. Jayco refused warranty claim.

[Jeffp216]

Originally Posted by mtbbrewer74

What do ya'll do with you awning if it is raining, or looks like it is going to? My new camper has an electric Carefree of Colorado awning. It has selections to lower one side. Does each side have to be in the same location to roll in in and out?

Years ago I had a manual awning that I left out when me and a friend went out scalloping. This was obviously before I realized that you should have it lower on one end. It stormed while we were out, and it was destroyed when we got back. The canvas was ripped and the main tube was bent in half like a straw. Thank goodness for zip ties. I had to zip tie it to the camper for the ride home.

Going through the same thing right now. Once it is replaced I will never leave it out again when I’m not home.

[MissLou]

If we are gonna sit under the awning in the rain we leave it out with one side lowered for run-off. If rain gets heavy or the wind is bad we roll it in. I've never tried to roll the electric awning in with one arm lowered so I don't know about that.

[robert9999]

These cheap flimsy awning can’t tolerate wind & any significant water amount will cause damage. The arms will bend (as I found out) before The vinyl rips in a wind especially right before a rain so pull them in before it rains, constantly watch the weather forecast for wind & rain if you use your awning a lot

[Thomson]

When I was a full timer and had the awnings with the hook and drag I had one side tilted by 3 or 4 holes to allow runoff. Never had a problem except high wind. Then I rolled them up. Most times the wind comes from the same direction so have the low side be toward the wind. However, if the trailers rockin' pull in the awnings. I spent 7 years full timing and never lost an awning due to wind.

[Thomson]

With the power awnings when it rains I push the button. Ain't worth the trouble to leave them out. Drink your wine inside.