Community Forums

bsshog40 · 05-09-2022, 09:53 AM

I have only tightend the secure knobs on my awning a couple times in the 10yrs we've owned. Usually a little gust will come up and I just don't have the security of the arms being strong enough to withstand occasional gusts. So I just leave them loose all the time for wind play. Is it better to lock them? Does it really matter? What do you do?
Thanks,
Bobby

Mudfrog · 05-09-2022, 10:18 AM

I always snug up the knobs on our manual awning. It never occurred to me that it would be better to leave them loose. I've had wind come up that tried to blow the awning upwards, and if the knobs had been loose, would have caused the whole thing to blow inward towards the motorhome.

I do sometimes tie the corners down with cord but that's not very often. I retract the awning when the awning arms start to clunk. This for me, is an indication that the wind is getting strong enough to damage something.

Dutch Star Don · 05-09-2022, 11:45 AM

When we had a coach with the extending awning arms and the knobs, we snugged them up. I believe if you leave them loose, the awning could blow upward and pull the arms apart since they slide inside one another.

In those days we often camped at one spot for a week or so. I would disconnect the arms from the coach and stake them to the ground. I also had a strap that I ran over the end of the awning to the ground.

In really bad weather, we just put the awning in and didn't take a chance. Our current coach has an automatic awning, so we only extend it when in use and then retract it.

bsshog40 · 05-09-2022, 02:21 PM

Yea, I've never had mine separate from each other. If I get a good little gust it has jumped up a little. I never have the awning out unless we're at the camper so I keep a pretty good eye on it. The awning is 16' wide, so it can handle a little wind but not a lot. Lol

CamperLifer · 05-12-2022, 01:32 AM

If my awning detects too strong winds it automatically rolls up.

wrvond · 05-12-2022, 03:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bsshog40

I have only tightend the secure knobs on my awning a couple times in the 10yrs we've owned. Usually a little gust will come up and I just don't have the security of the arms being strong enough to withstand occasional gusts. So I just leave them loose all the time for wind play. Is it better to lock them? Does it really matter? What do you do?
Thanks,
Bobby

On my old TT I only tightened the knob on the end that I pulled down for water run off. The other end was left use. If no rain then both were left loose. My new camper doesn’t have the knobs, I simply pull down on an articulated brace on the end I want to lower.

Don Holden · 05-12-2022, 08:15 AM

For 22+ years have always put out the awning, tightened the arms and use the pull down strap to secure to the provided picnic table. Never an issue, no matter the wind. Now I will roll back up if a big T-storm shows up.

TXiceman · 05-12-2022, 08:36 AM

I do not tie the awning down to protect it from wind. If it is that windy, the awning is not out. There is too much potential for damage to the awning or the RV.

Ken

High Road Travelers · 05-12-2022, 09:48 PM

As someone who has lost an awning in a freak wind gust, I watch it very closely. I have tied it down or just put in out partially to keep the sun off the side of the MH, but normally just bring it in if the wind rattles it or makes me nervous. I never leave it out if I'm not there to watch it.
Thanks,

bsshog40 · 05-14-2022, 07:07 AM

Yea I watch mine all the time too. I read that awnings can usually only withstand up to 25mph winds. On a 10-15mph windy day, I have seen short gusts jump up. Don't have a wind meter, but I keep a close eye on it. Lol

TXiceman · 05-14-2022, 07:45 AM

On the subject of wind gust, we spent a summer at Rifle Gap State Park on the western slope of the Rockies. The park manager told us to make sure and warn all guests about the wind gust every afternoon and to not leave an awning if they are away from the campsite. We would get gusts over 50 mph.

One afternoon we had the wind hit a light weight 32' bumper pull in the parking lot at the office and it rolled the trailer over and down the slope. The trailer was a total loss.

We still had several guest ruin awnings because they did not heed the warning.

ArtJoyce · 05-14-2022, 08:00 AM

With all my campers over the years I always tighten them down. A few times I have tied down the outer corners, maybe once every few years. I have twice seen where the wind blew peoples awnings on their roof.

Never thought about not having it tight?