Awning Support Needed ??

[DandS]

After completion of our first short trek with the new MH over the extended holiday week-end, I started thinking about the length of our awning roller - 20', and wondered if it would require some support for extended traveling to prevent sagging in the middle. Dealer assured me it would be fine, but it appears to me to be an awful long span without support and I'm a natural born worrier.

Has anyone had experience with this length awning and did you find you did or didn't need support ? I know there are after-market support systems which look to be adequate but I hate drilling holes in a new coach if not required.

Any advice would be appreciated.

[GaryKD]

Hi Dave,
My main awnings have always been over 20' and I have never used a center support. Everything has continued to work as advertised.

[Ronnie Bledsoe 2006 Dutchstar 43']

I had a center support added while the coach was under warranty as it was sagging in the middle. I think mine is greater than 20'.

[bill dean1]

Hi:
I have a 04 Monaco with 20' awning, I noticed that awning would not always close properly so I took to Carefree-Colorado dealer and he immeditely told me that regardless of age they would not warranty problem. Since was only a year old, I called Carefee they said would only warranty units that were 16' or less. They said it was Monaco problem, I was lucky I called Monaco and they agreed to fix with new unit AND support at no cost, never admitting a problem. No problem since support was added.

Good luck.

[Dav5942]

Yes, definitely needed. We added one from Carefree(since A&E does not make one), works great even with the automatic awning. Ours was 23' and was sagging.

[rsalhus]

We have a 21' A&E awning with no support. I think the type of roller tube you have on your awning determines how much sag you have. Our roller tube is made out of steel, not alumninum. I've had ours off to install new fabric, and it just doesn't sag at all. I've heard that the aluminum ones do sag.

[Theberrys]

We have a 21' on our Tradewinds ans sag may not be a problem but we lost the entire awning in high winds. This was a $1000 problem. We now have 2 Awning Clamps RV Awning Clamp - Product - Camping World
They support the awning when stored and keep it aginst the coach to prevent loss on the freeway. Boy it really sucks to see $1000 trailing alongside the MH.
Dick

[DandS]

Thanks to all who replied and shared your experiences. After some further research, I came up with the following from A&E's web site: "A&E’s patented roll formed roller tube only requires a center support on awnings 22 feet or longer. "

Since my awning is 20 foot, guess I'll just wait a while and monitor the awning for sag. No sense drilling holes if not required.

[oemtech]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DandS After completion of our first short trek with the new MH over the extended holiday week-end, I started thinking about the length of our awning roller - 20', and wondered if it would require some support for extended traveling to prevent sagging in the middle. Dealer assured me it would be fine, but it appears to me to be an awful long span without support and I'm a natural born worrier. Has anyone had experience with this length awning and did you find you did or didn't need support ? I know there are after-market support systems which look to be adequate but I hate drilling holes in a new coach if not required. Any advice would be appreciated.

Your dealer needs to get out on the road more often...

A 20' awning will bow, I guarantee it! Had it happen on my class C with a 18' awning.

Here is a How To Oemy style Awning Support & Lock

[Norm4015]

I have had two 21' A&E awnings - one manual and one power. Neither one had a sagging problem.

[DandS]

Quote:

Originally Posted by oemtech Here is a How To Oemy style Awning Support & Lock

Dale - I'm leaning towards your fix if I add the support. Question - do you have the metal weathershield on your awning and if so does it rest on the support when rolled up ? Just wondering if that would bend the metal ? Hard to see from your pix.