After owning the camper for 3 years I just learned something new about our awing. For 3 years I thought our camper had a design flaw. The door to our camper is right next to one of the awing supports, which prevents the door to open fully next next to the camper wall and also unable to use the T-Holder for the door.Well this past weekend went camping and I seen a family member unlatch one of their awing support poles from his camper and set it on the ground were the pole would be horizontal. I knew this was the procedure for our PopUp but never knew you could do it both ways with the hybrid. I have seen the "contraption" at the bottom the support attached to the camper but never really paid much attention to that you could unlatch it and set the support pole up and down on the ground instead of angled to the trailer.Cant wait to next camping trip to do this and be able to open the door fully and even latch the door with the T-holder!!Not sure if this post is in the right forum... but thought would help hybrid's and TT people instead of waiting 3 years like did to learn something new. I did not know,

I knew about this but n=have never tried it since I am not sure how to anchor the post to the ground.

We thought our Uncle was tearing up his awing when I seen him unlatch it from the side of his TT. All the pictures I have ever seen have always been the poles angled to the TT. I had to search for picture I posted.Live and learn.

I'm so smart (debatable), it "only" took me one year to figure this out. LOL. But I haven't actually done it yet. I think it's necessary to have something heavy to keep the feet in place, isn't it? Like a pail full of sand or something?

Pet leash anchor screw or tent stake work as a ground anchor.

That is one thing I miss. Ours has electric awning so that is not an option

After owning for 3 years I did not know!! | Good Sam Community

35 Replies

closurdo
Explorer
Apr 29, 2014
Anytime I'm staying at one campground for more then one night I set my awning up this way.
camperpaul
Explorer
Apr 29, 2014
Eric,

Those lag screws won't hold in sandy soil.

The 3" dia "Swing Set Anchors" hold in sand very nicely.
96Bounder30E
Explorer II
Apr 29, 2014
I use a couple of long lag screws that I put in the ground with a cordless driver drill.........when you get ready to leave just reverse the drill and out they come.......no hammer......no pulling!
classicdude
Explorer
Apr 29, 2014
Took me two years to figure it out! When the dealer did our demo, he had to fully extend the awning to access the water heater compartment (or so he said) because the rear arm covered the access door. I had it parked such that I couldn't extend the awning to get to my water heater bypass valves to winterize last fall. That's when I discovered the latch at the bottom that allowed me to move the arm out of the way without extending. I haven't used the awning yet by anchoring to the ground, but I intend to this year. The flimsy bag awning on our popup survived some incredible winds without problems when set up that way (well anchored). I'm not advocating leaving it out in windy conditions though. The only problem I see is that it would increase the time it takes to roll the thing up if a sudden wind whipped up. That's one of reasons I seldom put up awning lights anymore. Two or three minutes can spell the end of an awning.
We got in our first trip of the year last week-end, and we witnessed our first 'awning on top of a camper' episode. Don't want that to be us!
naturist
Nomad II
Apr 29, 2014
Most RV dealers (and pet stores, too) sell these things that resemble giant cork screws for staking down things. Over the years I seem to have accumulated a bunch of them. Four anchor the tarp over a shed right now until I get the chance to replace shingles. Four more go with my art show EZ-Up. Couple more in the TT for the awning . . . .

They make great guy wire anchors.
camperpaul
Explorer
Apr 29, 2014
loulou57 wrote:
--snip--
however, I don't think the awning is as stable.

If you guy the corners it is extremely stable.
I use a Swing Set Anchor Kit from "Toys R Us"; they screw into the ground and provide a place to attach the guys.I have also used these for guying radio antenna masts.
hotbyte
Explorer
Apr 29, 2014
Another time I like doing the awning leg like this is when the approach to area under awning is from front of camper vs the side like sites that have bushes right at edge of the camp site.
OldRadios
Explorer
Apr 29, 2014
Ours attaches beyond the door and latch so the support is not in the way.

However, We also have an awning on our house deck and I usually put one leg down and leave the far one attached to the side of the house. It's more stable than having both supports unattached from the house.
loulou57
Explorer
Apr 29, 2014
We use large metal tent stakes. Our friend uses very big spikes (nails).

Do the dealers not show people that the awning can be done this way? It is so much nicer than having the awning with the arms out, however, I don't think the awning is as stable.
camperpaul
Explorer
Apr 29, 2014
trnfla wrote:
I knew about this but have never tried it since I am not sure how to anchor the post to the ground.

Go to your friendly neighborhood hardware or big box store and buy a few Stainless Steel 10" "gutter spikes". Those will hold the "feet" in place.

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After owning for 3 years I did not know!!

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