Awning tie downs
I have a Columbus 5th wheel with an electric awning that I tie down with ratchet straps. I was told you shouldn't do this because you can bend the tube unless you have a spring mounted on the end of the straps. Is this true ?
Forum Discussion
schlep1967 wrote:
Unless your ratchet strap is in the middle of the awning, and I have no idea how you would do that, you can't bend the tube. Now if you decide to go crazy ratcheting it tight with a strap attached to each end of the tube, you could literally pull the support arms off the trailer or bend the arms.
Or do like I did.... I ratchet strap from the ends of the tube back to the trailer frame on the front end and the trailer wheel on the back of the awning. My mistake was I did this before putting out the living/dining room slide. When the slide got put out it bent the arm on the awning.
Well not an electric awning, but 21’ manual awning and three ratchet straps one at each end and one in the middle. The one in the middle is attached using two of the straps in the link. All straps just snug, awning out almost 24/7/365 as we are full time park host. If wind gets too bad I will take it in, but not too often.
Link- I use the ratchet tie downs as well, and have springs attached to the screw ground anchors Have not had a problem in 12 years and have been thru a couple of wind storms
cummins2014 wrote:
Just not a good idea , things get bent in the wind. I never leave mine when it’s out , and if it starts to get a little windy we bring it in . Seen too many get ruined in the wind . Ju
Gimme manual awnings, any day!
Lyle- Just not a good idea , things get bent in the wind. I never leave mine when it’s out , and if it starts to get a little windy we bring it in . Seen too many get ruined in the wind . Ju
- I would be more concerned about putting pressure on the gear assembly then bending the tube.
- I have a strap on each end anchored to screw in anchors in the ground.
- Unless your ratchet strap is in the middle of the awning, and I have no idea how you would do that, you can't bend the tube. Now if you decide to go crazy ratcheting it tight with a strap attached to each end of the tube, you could literally pull the support arms off the trailer or bend the arms.
Or do like I did.... I ratchet strap from the ends of the tube back to the trailer frame on the front end and the trailer wheel on the back of the awning. My mistake was I did this before putting out the living/dining room slide. When the slide got put out it bent the arm on the awning.
