Awning question

[Dougjpr]

Hello

When we used the manual awning on our TT, I used to strap down each corner of the awning to avoid any issues with the wind.

The coach has an electric weatherpro awning. It has the switch to disable the wind sensor.

Does anyone disable the wind sensor and anchor the awning?

Are there any risks to doing that?

We don't typically camp in high wind areas like sea side camp grounds.

Thanks

Doug

[Skip426]

Welcome to iRV2.

Because the arms of the power awning are flimsy compared to the manual set up , securing them to the ground has to be done carefully in a manner that can be quickly undone to retract when necessary.
Any I've seen done have had PCV pipe up-rights to support the corners against the tension of the tie downs , and fabricated stops to stop the knee action water dump feature of the arms .
Because an anti-billowing strap cannot be secured across the center of the awning and clamps can't be attached to the ends of the fabric, you have to be ready to remove the tie downs and retract at a moments notice.

[USMCRET]

I do it frequently, but I do not place full trust and confidence in the setup. We do spend a lot of time along the coast where winds can seemingly come out of nowhere with little notice. Even with the awning anchored, if I'm not going to be in the campground for any appreciable amount of time, I bring it in.

As Skip said, these awnings do not appear to be as robust as the manuals. I've seen those staked down in such a way it appears they could withstand gale force winds.

[crolfmilton]

Had that kind of awning. Wind sensor worked half the time.
Have gone back to mania. Much more robust and intimately adjustable

[crolfmilton]

Spell check. Aaaargh
Not mania, manual
Not intimately, infinitely

[LJowdy]

I think I liked it better when it said "intimately" LOL

[Wundertaker]

Originally Posted by Dougjpr

Hello

When we used the manual awning on our TT, I used to strap down each corner of the awning to avoid any issues with the wind.

The coach has an electric weatherpro awning. It has the switch to disable the wind sensor.

Does anyone disable the wind sensor and anchor the awning?

Are there any risks to doing that?

We don't typically camp in high wind areas like sea side camp grounds.

Thanks

Doug

The one thing I would absolutely do is.......... If you stake down your awning DO SO WHEN YOU'RE GOING TO BE AT THE CAMPSITE!!! Personally I would not leave the Campsite much less the Campground with my awning staked down...you may return to an Awning Disaster!!! I learned this years ago...THE HARD WAY

Winds can come up quickly and from different directions that can stress an awning quickly! Plus, when I've rolled up the awning prior to leaving for any amount of time, "I DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT IT!!!

Just a Friendly suggestion

[Dougjpr]

Ok

So if I roll the awning up whenever I'm not around, what do I hang my awning lights on? Don't want to put them up and down everyday.

Or am I not allowed to have them with a DP

Thanks

Doug

[Mr_D]

My Girard style Carefree awning can't be staked down, it has wind sensors on the outboard facia that sense the bouncing, not wind speed. On the control panel I can set the amount of bounce it senses but it doesn't take much wind to trigger it.

[barnegatepic]

Originally Posted by Dougjpr

Ok

So if I roll the awning up whenever I'm not around, what do I hang my awning lights on? Don't want to put them up and down everyday.

Or am I not allowed to have them with a DP

Thanks

Doug

That's why I put up a LED light strip so I can have lights either way.

[bwaller]

Where do you attach the LED light strip? Want to do it as well.

[smlranger]

Originally Posted by Dougjpr

Ok

So if I roll the awning up whenever I'm not around, what do I hang my awning lights on? Don't want to put them up and down everyday.

Or am I not allowed to have them with a DP

Thanks

Doug

Welcome to the world of flimsy, often useless automatic awnings. For those of us who have owned RV's with sturdy manual awnings, the auto awnings are a disappointing thing. If I ever have to replace the auto on my coach, I will find a way to install a manual.

[okcnewbie]

Originally Posted by smlranger

Welcome to the world of flimsy, often useless automatic awnings. For those of us who have owned RV's with sturdy manual awnings, the auto awnings are a disappointing thing.....

This is something I have never considered and a major disappointment. Oh well, I'm still looking forward to a DP when I retire. I guess while we're in Oklahoma we won't get to use the awnings much.