Girard Awning Hold Down Poles

[Bob_C]

As far as wind goes, 30/35 mph is about the limit....common sense comes into play when doing this........my uprights are attached with 6... 1/4" dia exploding rivets from the factory......I added 6 more per upright.....

[Bob_C]

Originally Posted by bob caldwell

As far as wind goes, 30/35 mph is about the limit....common sense comes into play when doing this........my uprights are attached with 6... 1/4" dia exploding rivets from the factory......I added 6 more per upright.....

Just adding ideas to those that are interested in poles..........the ground anchors fold up.....and the poles are length adjustable and store against the arms using the height adjustment quick pin....and I'm not trying to hijack...... the thread.....can have this setup stored in under 2 minutes if needed....

[Mwoodofd]

Originally Posted by HDGoose

I have seen pretty class A automatic awning mangled and dangling after a southeast summer thunderstorm when the wind came up suddenly, and the automatic sensor wasn't activated in time.



Wife and I were talking about a 10x20 popup shelter instead of the awning. Seems safer. Just not as easily deployed or stowed.

Can also be problematic - if not stored in time, the wind may blow it into your motor home and damage both

I have not seen a wind proof solution - would be nice to be able to use the awnings more, but still can't leave them out without being present. I hate those whirlwinds that arrive unannounced on somewhat calm days.

[Gary.Jones]

Bob

Your awning system is on a unit that is completely different system than the OP is talking about. It is quite possible that your support and anchoring system on your RV can handle the stress of a good size wind, but there is no comparison between what you are using and what is being advocated here, IMO. These Girards are VERY fragile in my opinion and the support structure is nothing like you show in your pictures.

Gary

[Bob_C]

Had the OP's awning type on an Eagle bus that we used, after a major conversion, to haul the race car.....so know his type of awning.....was just showing different ways for whom ever might be thinking about adding poles......these Dometic aren't anything to write home about either.....

[garysfb]

I love to be able to use my awnings to provide shade from the sun when and if the coach is situated for that to work. I'm also very aware of the wind and pull them in at night, when we go away from the coach, and if there is more than about 10 mph winds forcasted. I agree with those that argue all you are doing by securing the ends down is transfiguring the stress and creating new weak points. I'll stick with my method for now but look forward to seeing how the OP's pole system works under a good wind.

On a similar note regarding surprise wind strength, I had a similar awning to Bob's I added to my car hauler and just strapped the ends down to my rain tires at the track. Well a sudden storm bubbled up, this was in Sebring, FL, and whipped the awning so hard the tires just flew right over the trailer. Looked like a couple of yo-yos going over!!