Community Forums

Okiedoke · 06-13-2015, 04:29 PM

We are camped at a state park where thunderstorms have rolled through sporadically the past few days. The ranger came through and warned us about an especially strong one approaching with high winds. He was advising people to bring in their awnings. A few sites down is an rv with the awning out and the owner gone. There are items stored under the awning.

Question: Would you perform a "good deed" and secure the awning at the risk of the owner being upset about his items getting soaked? Or do nothing? Or something else?

wowlites · 06-13-2015, 04:37 PM

Okiedoke

I think I'd run the risk of upsetting someone and put the awning away for them. Maybe even try and slide some of the items under the RV that might get damaged being directly in the rain.
I know I'd sure appreciate someone doing that for me if I were away during an impending storm.
Cheers Rick T

BBQ Warren · 06-13-2015, 04:38 PM

I would wait till the last possible moment. If it looked like their awning was not going to handle the wind I would put it up.

2014 Keystone Outback Tavel Trailer
2012 Ram 1500
Retired Navy

plasma800 · 06-13-2015, 04:40 PM

I'd notify the park rangers, and let them handle it. They should have the number of whomever is there.

cwit · 06-13-2015, 04:51 PM

Any park I was in we would get together and close all awnings.

twogypsies · 06-13-2015, 04:54 PM

This isn't normally a park ranger's job. The owner is responsible.

Yes, if I were there I'd put it up for him and try to tuck anything that can't take rain, under the RV.

This happened to us in our early full-timing days. We drove 30 miles into town and while away it snowed a wet heavy snow. In town it was dry. When we returned our neighbor explained that with all the snow it didn't look like the awning would hold. We were very appreciative of his concern.

jollyjim · 06-13-2015, 06:09 PM

We have done this for people near us in a campground before. After they came home, and the storm was over, we went to them and explained. They were appreciative. Would do it again if needed.

Arch Hoagland · 06-13-2015, 06:29 PM

We were in Boise a couple years ago and a similar thing occurred in the afternoon. The campground owners went around and rolled up all the awnings of people who weren't there.
I've had two awnings blown off so I'm familiar with the damage done to the RV when they blow off.
I would close the awning of my neighbor and move his stuff to my rig or somewhere safe.
We NEVER leave our awning out now.

Okiedoke · 06-14-2015, 12:04 AM

Neighbor came home before wind got too bad. Left awning out, but dipped one side severely to drain runoff. No damage. Might ask him "What he would do?"

jimcumminsw · 06-14-2015, 09:34 AM

Some of the newer units have electric power awnings. There is no way that you could close this awning without the remote or using the switch in the RV which is probably lock since they are gone. You can close one in an emergency; say motor failure but you will need to see an RV Tec to fix them to work again.

For me the only time my awning is opened is when I am at the camper and awake. All the other times it is closed, even at night with us awake and inside.

Jim

CampingCajun · 06-14-2015, 09:55 AM

I would make an attempt. My power awning has a switch inside & also one on the bottom of the awning rails by the door. When my awning is out the power switch is own so it can be retracted using either the inside or outside switch.

Be nice & do the right thing. If the owner doesn't like it apologize to him & tell him next time you'll watch as his awning is destroyed & his belongings are scattered about.

dons2346 · 06-14-2015, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wowlites

Okiedoke

I think I'd run the risk of upsetting someone and put the awning away for them. Maybe even try and slide some of the items under the RV that might get damaged being directly in the rain.
I know I'd sure appreciate someone doing that for me if I were away during an impending storm.
Cheers Rick T

+1 I would do my good deed for the day

bsirby · 06-14-2015, 12:50 PM

We have an electric awning and left for the day. The wind was pulling the tie down straps out of the ground. So, two neighbors went over put additional straps to keep it from doing any more damage and then helped us when we got back. We certainly were very grateful and definitely would help a neighbor out. Why wouldn't you??
Brenda

DBL Z · 06-14-2015, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Okiedoke

We are camped at a state park where thunderstorms have rolled through sporadically the past few days. The ranger came through and warned us about an especially strong one approaching with high winds. He was advising people to bring in their awnings. A few sites down is an rv with the awning out and the owner gone. There are items stored under the awning.

Question: Would you perform a "good deed" and secure the awning at the risk of the owner being upset about his items getting soaked? Or do nothing? Or something else?

I would not touch it!... That is my campsite! I have it the way I want it! --Good or bad-- As far as the items stored under that awning!?.. maybe check the door and bay doors to see if they're open so in case they are! them items can be stowed away so they don't get soaked!