Dometic Power Awning Tie Down Suggestions?

K9Nardu · 02-10-2018, 07:24 PM

I recently purchased a new 2018 Eagle HT 324BHTS travel trailer. The unit has a 18' Dometic power awning. My question: Any suggestions on which method or tie down kit to use to secure the awning and lessen the chance of wind damage? Some of my friends have said to simply close the awning every night before bed or whenever gone for the day. I understand that if a storm with projected high winds is approaching that it is best to retract the awning, however, I would hate to have to retract it for every minor storm or every night before bed. I place furniture and numerous other items under the awning, and would hate to have to pack everything away every night. Suggestions?? Also, does this awning self tilt to dump rain, or is that going to be an issue as well? I am not sure of the model number of the Dometic awning on the trailer. Thanks in advance

ShawnR · 02-11-2018, 09:13 AM

Our favorite campground is very windy. Everyone rolls up at night except me. I use one of these to anchor on longer stays. We had one bad storm I had to open the panels to let the wind pass through the windows. I roll up at night anytime the room isn't up.

Dometic 8' Patty O Room Standard Panel

K9Nardu · 02-12-2018, 11:10 AM

Any other Suggestions? Anyone .......

wags999 · 02-12-2018, 12:18 PM

Working in campgrounds you see everything. We warned everyone to retract their awning anytime they were not present. Of course those that had great "reasons" why they shouldn't, didn't. After seeing several of these awnings, even those tied down, torn loose, flew back over the RV and not only totaled the awning but took out the AC when the bar flew back and crushed it.

No matter what you do, in a high wind condition, nothing will protect your awning and RV except to not have it deployed.

How much of a gambler are you ? You have to be on the winning side every time...lose once lose it all.

Good Luck.

John from Central Florida · 02-12-2018, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by K9Nardu

I understand that if a storm with projected high winds is approaching that it is best to retract the awning

K9, I agree with your thought on this.

When camping, we don't retract our canopy unless a big'un is coming because sometimes it's just nice to sit out under it during a "normal" rain.

That being said, when camping out west, where strong winds are ever present, we very rarely deploy it at all, and if we do always retract it when we leave camp or turn in for the night.

We've never tied it down.

K9Nardu · 02-12-2018, 02:03 PM

I guess your right, better safe than sorry. Looks like I am just going to have to close the awning at night, when gone for the day, or whenever a projected strong storm is approaching. Don't want to have to deal with any awning related damage issues.

K9Nardu · 02-12-2018, 02:06 PM

By the way, does this Dometic power awning self tilt to dump rain water? Not sure of the awning model number, whatever comes stock on the 2018 Eagle HT models.

John from Central Florida · 02-12-2018, 02:20 PM

I believe you can gently pull down one of the support bars (the ones that are attached to the side of the trailer). They SHOULD be marked.

Here's a link that might help you (go to around the 30 second mark).

https://youtu.be/HZzTbIGF7-Y

Magnolia Tom · 02-12-2018, 03:07 PM

Over on another forum, there was a member who made hold down brackets and poles. OldCoot was his name. I believe BigJohnD on this forum has some or can get some of those brackets. Everyone on that forum swore by them.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Magnolia Tom · 02-12-2018, 03:12 PM

Here are some pics from the Forest River forum

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jloco · 02-13-2018, 07:56 AM

The power awnings are much more flimsier than the manual awnings of yesteryear. If there's even the slightest chance of a storm kicking up, I roll it up.
I lost an awning a few years ago. I had no idea a big T storm was coming through. While out at dinner it poured cats and dogs. I came back to a mess. I always roll it up now at night or when unattended.

SouthCo · 02-13-2018, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by K9Nardu

By the way, does this Dometic power awning self tilt to dump rain water? Not sure of the awning model number, whatever comes stock on the 2018 Eagle HT models.

I don’t know for sure about your specific model but both my 2014 264 and current 2017 28BHBE have Dometic power awnings with self tip for dumping rain water. I’ve seen them in action. But I started manually lowering one side when it rains and prefer that. I feel it’s less weight on the awning if the rain continually runs off instead of the rain building until it’s enough weight that the awning auto dumps...

geezerbob · 02-13-2018, 08:59 AM

Awning closed when we are not there and at night

3'senough · 02-13-2018, 09:51 AM

I have been using these for years with dog stakes. The key is the pitch of your awning. Mine is almost 45 Degrees which the rain runs off of. If there is a major storm I pull it in, but 25MPH winds with this setup keeps it pretty stable.

These tie downs have quick release velcro that allows for the instant retract of the awning and easy setup after the storm passes. It's longer for the motor to open the awning.

The plastic stakes are not good enough, you need dog stakes.

U-Camp Rtd-01Blk Rollumup Awning Tie Down-Black

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