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debili's avatar
debili
Explorer
Jan 04, 2017

Slide Out Awnings Question

Hi All,
I am new here also first winter in the fifth wheel which I am living in.
The awning that are on top of my slide outs are constantly flapping in the wind and when the wind kicks up it is pretty loud and sometimes scares the **** out of you. (me) especially through the nights.
As far as I can tell there is no way to roll these in as they roll in when the slide outs are put in to travel.
I am in a 2011 Jayco Eagle 351RSTL with three slideouts.
Is there anything I can do to minimize this...Could I safely put rocks on the top of the awnings on the slide outs although this doesn't seem like a great idea either...
any suggestions please.
Is there anyway to detach them or do not do that to protect from snow and ice?
Please reply.
thanks in advance Deb
  • Thanks to everyone that responded. Great ideas I do have some of those pool noodles. Now I just have to figure out how to get up there. I like all of the ideas actually the inflatable pillow also sounds safer. As for the rope it might still flap on the ends and with my luck it would end up ripped. Strap good idea too but will probably try cheaper route for first.
    At least the rope I could do that fix by myself...my ladder not tall enough but maybe able to slide noodles in from front door.
    I will give it a shot in morning light as it is about 12 degrees here right now!
    Deb
  • I've never worried about the flapping, it has rarely bothered us. But if I felt the need for a solution, I think I would try an inflatable pillow. They cost like $3 and take up no space when deflated. Should be able to inflate them for a tight fit and provide tension over a larger area than a basketball. Just an idea.
  • debili wrote:
    Hi All,
    I am new here also first winter in the fifth wheel which I am living in.
    The awning that are on top of my slide outs are constantly flapping in the wind and when the wind kicks up it is pretty loud and sometimes scares the **** out of you. (me) especially through the nights.
    As far as I can tell there is no way to roll these in as they roll in when the slide outs are put in to travel.
    I am in a 2011 Jayco Eagle 351RSTL with three slideouts.
    Is there anything I can do to minimize this...Could I safely put rocks on the top of the awnings on the slide outs although this doesn't seem like a great idea either...
    any suggestions please.
    Is there anyway to detach them or do not do that to protect from snow and ice?
    Please reply.
    thanks in advance Deb


    As others have said, put a ball, or balls, underneath to provide tension. Other people have cut pool noodles to make ribs underneath to support the canvas; just wedge them between the coach wall and the outer lip of the slide, with a slight upwards bend. I've even read where a guy made a framework out of light PVC pipe that could be taken apart and stored, that did the same thing as the noodles. Personally, I'd prefer these, rather than a cord over the top.

    On edit: I like the wide tow straps with ratchet straps (or bungees) around the bottom of the slide. You can find 6" wide tow straps, too.

    Lyle
  • rhagfo's avatar
    rhagfo
    Explorer III
    debili wrote:
    Do you mean like a rope going over the whole thing with a jug at either end to the ground?

    Yes,'almost to the to hold down the center and cut down on flapping.
  • When we spent the winter in the Columbia river gorge where winds can exceed 60MPH my solution was several 4 inch wide tow straps from harbor freight and some ratchet straps. The tow straps over the awning, down the sides of the room. Then the ratchet strap under where its narrow width would not cause problems. Worked perfectly. Narrow ropes could damage the awning fabric, so wider the better.
  • Do you mean like a rope going over the whole thing with a jug at either end to the ground?
  • rhagfo's avatar
    rhagfo
    Explorer III
    Try two gallon milk or juice jugs with a rope tied to hold down the center, should help a lot.