Awning Strap down

dougrainer wrote:

gemert wrote:

carp65 wrote:
We have a 2015 Tiffin Allegro with an electric awning which operates
off a switch inside the doorway. It does not go up and down automatically as some do Question is: Can you strap down this type
of awning like one would do with a manual awning. Have been told
by an RV dealer that this is not a good idea. Would appreciate any
thoughts or suggestions on this.

I am not an expert. If it is not an automatic awning that goes up when wind increases, I can not imagine a reason, other than operator error, that you should not be able to tie it down.

Well, I AM an expert:) People that strap down ANY awning, are usually people that end up buying a new Awning. Awnings are basically parachutes. When the storm type winds kick up, that awning will break loose and pull loose any type strap system you use. If it does NOT break the strap system loose, the awning will buckle and then be destroyed. Automatic Retract awnings are for when people forget to retract in normal wind and rain. THEY ARE NOT DESIGNED OR SOLD AS A AUTO RETRACT IN ALL CONDITIONS. The instructions state to always retract in moderate to heavy rain and wind. Also, they will not help in sudden extreme wind gusts. They cannot respond fast enough. Doug

You need to visit AZ in the winter. Many, many Snowbirds stake out their awnings in November and take them up in March. We purchased a awning sun shade for our new HM this winter. We turned off the awning power to cancel the auto retract. The shade was staked down with 12" rebar stakes in four places. We staked down the arms with the same stakes. We had no problems for the month of February in Yuma despite some windy days. Now, we were in an RV park where trees, other RVs and perimeter walls broke up the wind.

I wouldn't do it out in the desert with no wind breaks although I have seen some. I also wouldn't think a staked awning could resist micro bursts that you see in the summer in the Four Corners.