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Post Info TOPIC: Obsessing about the Awning and the Wind - Need Advice


RV-Dreams Family Member

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Obsessing about the Awning and the Wind - Need Advice


Hi all,

 

So we've been on the road for about 10 days now and I keep worried about the awning and the wind.  Previously we stayed in well wooded sites so it was a non issue, but twice so far (including last night at 3:45am) the canopy was bouncing up and down and I got nervous and shut it.  How resistant are those things?  At what point do you shut yours??  If I remember correctly the awning if the only thing not covered under our warranty (need to double check that) but if something would happen how expensive are they to replace??  It's gusty here with winds about 20-30mph but it comes and goes.  For example, when we went to bed last night completely still and no so much in the middle of the night.  Do you check the weather channel for wind before going to bed??  

Anyways, appreciate any stories or thoughts as I figure this out.  

 

Trace

 



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RV-Dreams Family Member

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We have a tie-down system we use on ours as long as no storms are predicted. Anything over 20mph winds and it comes in depending on what direction the wind is blowing from.

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If I know it's going to be windy I'll roll it in. Sometimes had surprises like you in the middle of the night................So out in the shorts rolling it in. If we ever leave the site for the day with the car, I'll roll it in, you never know when the wind might pick up.
I know mine is a Carefree of Colorado.......and they're not cheap.

On a smaller pull type camper we had in the old days the "Add-A-Room" unit got destroyed by wind and rain. We went into the city and came back later to pick up the pieces.

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Yes, we always check the weather before going to bed - just so we have an idea of whether or not we need to bring the awning in at least partially or all the way. Since ours is electric, no need to go out in our PJs but still have to 'hear' the bounce to get up and bring it in.

Barb


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We always retract ours when we go in for the night and anytime we are not home. Also if it's windy at all. We were walking the dogs at the campground in Virginia when a gust of wind tore a neighbor's awning completely off their rig. Not taking any chances.

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Best bet is to roll it in if there is a chance of gusts above 20 MPH. You don't want to go out in the cold and dark to roll it in.

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2AM in a thunderstorm is not a good time to be outside rolling an awning in. I have a friend who did that in his underwear. He did not save the awning, it was too late and it was already damaged.

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bjoyce wrote:

2AM in a thunderstorm is not a good time to be outside rolling an awning in. I have a friend who did that in his underwear. He did not save the awning, it was too late and it was already damaged.


 Well at least he got his underwear washed too......Hahaha



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Trace: We had a gust come out of no where in SE AL and we tried to hold it down but one of the arms bent. We had the arm replaced and it ran about $75.00 and that was about 10 years ago. The awnings are very expensive to replace, maybe with the larger in the $800 to $1,000 range being my best guess and it could be more.

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If there's any doubt at all about the wind or weather, roll it up! Then enjoy a good night's sleep. biggrin

Jim 



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We do the same as Jo and Ben. We always retract ours when we go in for the night and anytime we are not home. It only goes out if we are home and the winds are calm.


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This seemed to work for us.. sustained winds in the 20-25 range..

We like to leave our out, if we can..

 






-- Edited by The Junkman on Thursday 27th of November 2014 08:02:57 PM

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When we were in Canada last year one of the campers left their awning out while they went fishing. When they returned it was all bent up and part of it was on a power line above their trailer. To top it off it was a rental!

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Wow Junkman.....................Your last step is a doozer. Don't want to come home late at night in the dark. Or worse yet, step outside half asleep for some fresh air.

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TRAILERKING wrote:

Wow Junkman.....................Your last step is a doozer. Don't want to come home late at night in the dark. Or worse yet, step outside half asleep for some fresh air.


 lol.. it was at that site, last month.. this month, it's kinda normal height.

gonna have to do something about that someday..



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Nice rig JM. I was snooping through you photobucket :)


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Sr Fox wrote:

Nice rig JM. I was snooping through you photobucket :)


 Thank you!



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Our awning is electric so extend/retract is as easy as pushing a button. I would rather push a button than have to pay big bucks to fix.

As for tie-downs, if the wind comes up and catches that huge sail hanging on the side of your rig, something is gonna give. The arm may bend, or it might rip the awning, or worst case it could rip the mount and awning right off the side of your rig.

And if the wind picks up and you want to retract the awning you have to go out and remove the tie-downs before you can retract it. Of course this always happens when it's raining as well as windy and dark, too much fun.

As you can tell I am not a fan of awnings or slide toppers.

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