Awning strap - how do you judge when rolling up?

[vsheetz]

Seems like the strap either disappears or has too much hanging out when I am done... how do you roll it up so it comes out just right with a few inches left to grab next time?

[Triker56]

Are you keeping tension on it while it rolls up?

[BFlinn181]

Since the strap is the same length as the awning, if you keep tension on it as you roll it up they should end up about the same each time. I never gave it any thought, it just happens.

[Jim_HiTek]

Get some 1/4" nylon rope, double it up and tie it to the pull strap so that around 6' is exposed. Then you'll nearly always be able to grab it. And since it's blown around randomly, it doesn't bother the paint at all (that's the only objection I've heard about adding the rope). Mines been on there for 8 years and no evidence of scoring the paint.

[DonDee]

Originally Posted by BFlinn181

Since the strap is the same length as the awning, if you keep tension on it as you roll it up they should end up about the same each time. I never gave it any thought, it just happens.

x2

[Dunner]

Took me a while to find an intermittent tapping. It that turned out wind was banging mine against my MH. I unrolled it and rolled it up in a spiral to get it short enough to not bang.

[2Labs]

Our rolls up nicely right in the center of the awning, with just enough left out to grab it with the grab bar. It is a little trickly when rolling the awning up to switch the latch at the end ... then I walk it across to the middle and let it roll up with plenty of tension.

[Dwillie]

Originally Posted by Jim_HiTek

Get some 1/4" nylon rope, double it up and tie it to the pull strap so that around 6' is exposed. Then you'll nearly always be able to grab it. And since it's blown around randomly, it doesn't bother the paint at all (that's the only objection I've heard about adding the rope). Mines been on there for 8 years and no evidence of scoring the paint.

HiTek
Since you been doing it this way for 8 years and no issues, I hope you continue having the same good luck, If I was to tie a rope on mine it would blow and wrap around a road sign with me goin down the road at 60 mph. Good bye awning.

[Tha_Rooster]

If you use the awning opening bar tool thingey to close it you will have the same thing every time.

[2Labs]

Originally Posted by Tha_Rooster

If you use the awning opening bar tool thingey to close it you will have the same thing every time.

I use the awning bar grabber for both up and down, and it seems to work pretty well.

[puttin]

I hope someone out there has something they've tried. I can idendify with the op's issues. This year I tried "walking" the strap towards the middle as I rolled it up....it dissappeared and tried to suck up the awning rod too. The next time, I had to climb up on the roof, reach under the awning protector and push the awning release at the same time. After a few tries, I finally pulled the loop out so I could climb back down and get the thing un rolled again. Now, I don't care if there's too much strap hanging anymore- I never want to fix it again..

[Dunner]

Originally Posted by puttin

Now, I don't care if there's too much strap hanging anymore- I never want to fix it again..

You'll care if you hear this tapping sound, go outside to look and it stops..., 5-10 times before you figure out it is that "too much" strap flopping in the wind.

[Jim_HiTek]

Originally Posted by Dunner

You'll care if you hear this tapping sound, go outside to look and it stops..., 5-10 times before you figure out it is that "too much" strap flopping in the wind.

That's why I capture the extension rope in my door catch when I drive. Could also close the door on it so it hangs inside but seldom resort to that trick.

[DonDee]

Originally Posted by vsheetz

Seems like the strap either disappears or has too much hanging out when I am done... how do you roll it up so it comes out just right with a few inches left to grab next time?

The strap is elastic?