We used to retract ours also but, sense we added the Arizona room we leave it out. With that said, we did add 4 anchored tie downs and anti-flaps to the awning. No problem so far and it's been in some pretty good winds. My cousin we camp with a lot has had his out with his Arizona room in 70+ mph winds a couple times out in Quartzsite with no real problems. So I feel fairly secure in it being ok.