Forum Discussion

ETCrockett's avatar
ETCrockett
Explorer
Jul 31, 2017

Can you strap down these new awning designs?

We are still figuring out the differences in our new 5th Wheel and our old TT. One big difference is the scissor design for the awning arms on the 5er vs. the straight supports on the old TT. I have already had the awning slap the side of the 5er and once go over the top in what I would have considered moderate wind (gust). My old awning would not have moved. We enjoy camping at the beach and now I'm concerned how effective this style awning is going to be when you have a constant breeze coming off the ocean. Can I use straps over the awning roller as I did on the TT? What other remedies have you more experienced folks come up with for keeping a 5er from becoming a sail boat?

Thanks.
  • pennysmom09's avatar
    pennysmom09
    Explorer
    Jul 31, 2017
    We have an electric awning but it does not have a sensor. Without tie downs it's too light and bounces around. We tie ours down with a sunshade and have not had any problems. We use bungies to hold the screen, and stabilizing bars with springs going from the side of the unit to the roller. When expecting winds in excess of 40 mph, we take off the bungies and bars and roll it in. The sunshade rolls right up with the awning.
  • laknox's avatar
    laknox
    Nomad
    Jul 31, 2017
    I'm not a fan of electrics =because= they're not robust and you have to roll them up in anything more than a very gentle breeze. If my chosen FW had a manual awning option, I'd jump on it in a heartbeat. Why should I have to give up my shade at the drop of a hat?

    Lyle
  • TenOC's avatar
    TenOC
    Nomad
    Jul 31, 2017
    On my old TT with manual awning I staked them down and also placed them at an angle to allow water to run off. One day during a rain storm, my camp-neighbor did not have his awning at an angle and the water collected in the awning and bent the roll up tube. My FW has a power awning and I can stack it down by attaching a cord to the bottom of the arm.

    However, I can not find a way to place the awning at an angle to prevent rain water from collecting on the awning. Is there a way to adjust one side of the awning lower that the other? ? ? ? ? :h
  • filrupmark's avatar
    filrupmark
    Explorer
    Jul 31, 2017
    Their Electric. If the wind blows to hard push the button and role it in. Simple
  • MFL's avatar
    MFL
    Nomad II
    Jul 31, 2017
    newman fulltimer wrote:
    you are not suppose to tie down the electric awnings


    I agree, however, I have used shock cord to tie down my awning. It will give some, but still helps hold. In any case, these electric awnings are not robust, just a nice convenience. Wind comes up, best to just retract.

    Jerry

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