Community Forums

Flatrekker · 09-06-2012, 03:49 PM

Have a 2001 Monaco Dynasty with a Care Free One Touch patio awning. It is the style with two awning arms. Yesterday afternoon we went to store and when we returned a storm came up. I have braces that fit between the arms that work well when moderate winds blow, but when I took them out to retract the awning I thought we going to lose the whole thing. We got it in, but I'm thinking it's time to upgrade and get rid of this sail for something that can retract automatically when the wind comes up. Anybody have experience in doing this?

1ciderdog · 09-06-2012, 05:54 PM

I think many members that have the automatic awning retractor chose to retract the awning before leaving the RV. Sometimes they just don't work so it is safer to retract them.

gripper · 09-06-2012, 06:01 PM

I have one of those automatic, retracting awinings, but I learned the hard way, to NEVER leave your awning out, if you leave the camp or when you go to bed!

docj · 09-06-2012, 06:14 PM

Automatic awning sensors will retract when "average wind speeds" exceed certain levels. They don't do anything to protect you against wind gusts. We only have the awning extended when we are in the coach and we need it for sun blocking.

Jack1234 · 09-06-2012, 06:21 PM

Hey Flat.....hate to be the bearer of bad news, but with awnings there is no free lunch. You just cannot leave them unattended. What you have is still likely the best solution. If we are going to leave ours unattended for several hours, we retract it to about half way....make sure we have fabric anti-flappers installed....and stake down the ends. It can now pretty much withstand anything short of a very major blow......however the first time we get too cocky and/or lazy to bring it in at night or leave it too long unattended.....that big blow will arrive and we'll be looking at damage & $$$$$.

If I was going to do anything.....I'd get rid of the big "sail" awning altogether and replace it with smaller pull out awnings that just provided shade for the windows.

KIX · 09-06-2012, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flatrekker

Have a 2001 Monaco Dynasty with a Care Free One Touch patio awning. It is the style with two awning arms..................... but I'm thinking it's time to upgrade and get rid of this sail for something that can retract automatically when the wind comes up.

If you do decide to replace the Carefree you have now please contact me as I would be interested in buying your old awning hardware and motor. Thanks

Flatrekker · 09-07-2012, 07:22 AM

Thanks to all that responded. I guess I'll stick with what I have and be more careful.

jth camper · 09-07-2012, 09:33 AM

My automatic wind sensing awning never works. As most have suggeted, never leave the awning unattended unless your prepared for some damage. JMO

Arch Hoagland · 09-07-2012, 09:46 AM

I've had two awnings blown off. One when we left camp with the awning out and the other when a tornado came by the campground. My insurance covered both of them.

Close it when you leave camp.

We bought an electric awning with the automatic retract feature. The automatic retract feature was worse than useless.

I ordered our current electric awning without the automatic retract feature.

If you do get an electric awning installed it's important that they don't just tap off of a nearby power line for a light. The motor draws a fair amount of current and will not work correctly with a low power source. It will extend OK but you will have problems with it when retracting.

The ideal situation is a separate heavy duty 12volt power line to the awning from your batteries.