We are going on our first road trip this week to Watkins Glen State Park in upstate New York. There is a chance of rain and thunderstorms. I know that I need to take the awning down for a thunderstorm due to wind, but do I need to take it down for showers?

Just for high wind. At about 10 to 15mph the wind may make the awning flap a bit and it is just annoying, but higher than that and there is a chance (depending on the age and condition of your awning) that the flapping cound do some damage. Feel free to enjoy the dry area under the awning if it's just raining.FYI There are tie downs and anti-flap clips available if you want to do better in higher wind speeds.

I like to slightly drop one side of the awning to help direct the runoff rain water.

If you have one of the newer electric awnings, definitely drop one side to allow water to drain off if it's raining. I find our electric awning can't handle as much wind as the older manual model we had on our Sunline TT. Personally, I never leave the awning out when not at the campsite, and retract it before going to bed. Depending on where you are, strong winds can happen very quickly....had it happen outside of Detroit and we almost lost an awning. DW was holding the tube while I started to get it down, and the wind caused the awning to lift and lifted my wife right off the ground!

I have never left the awning out at night or when we go out and if it is just a small sprinkle or light shower I always lower one side so that water does not puddle in the middle and bend the torque tube, and if it is the manual style, leave the cord wrapped on one arm, this way a Good Sam neighbor can retract your awning in case it is needed, I have retracted many and closed windows when wind and rain popped up and the folks were away, some of the ones that did not have the pull straps we tried to save but the wind got them before we could, the awnings ended wrapped around roof of the RV all twisted and some damaged the A/C's. navegator

gbopp wrote:I like to slightly drop one side of the awning to help direct the runoff rain water.yup. that's what the awning is for, keep things dry and out of the sun.only takes an inch or so of tilt to one side to give good runoff.

Awnings and rain | Good Sam Community

tatest
Explorer II
Jul 08, 2015
Depends on where you are. I use the awning for shade, put it out only when not windy, which might be just part of any given day.

In the rain? We seldom have rain without thunderstorms, which mean winds of 30-60 mph usually, hurricane force sometimes. Having lived in the Great Lakes area, on the Great Plains, on an island in the Caribbean, in Central Florida and in northeast China, I don't think I've ever seen the kind of rain where I might sit out under an awning. I know of that kind of rain poetically, but it doesn't fit my experience.
K3WE
Explorer
Jul 10, 2015
My rule is "don't leave it unattended" and is not based on thunder. Sitting out for a nice thundershower is great!

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