Awning question

LynnandCarol wrote:
Less than 5 minutes for put up/take down. Around $1000 to replace. Easy answer.

X2

If I had an electric awning, I would likely bring it in more often, depending on the weather conditions, but with our manual awning, I tend to watch what the neighbors do, particularly the long termers that know the area. We've been in parks where the tree cover is heavy and the more permanent RV'ers awnings appear to have been left out for at least a couple of years in some cases. At our last park in Bushnell, FL, in two weeks there, the only time we ran the awning in was when a severe thunderstorm was predicted, and were glad we did. The rest of time it was fine, despite a couple of breezy days and some light rain. I do keep one end lower to help shed the rain and minimize wind lift.

DiskDoctr wrote:
We anchor our awning to the ground with tie downs and keep it tipped slighty into the windy side.

We have never taken our awning down when we leave camp for the day. We have been through two major storms (caused widespread flooding with news coverage) last year and no problems.

It seems odd to us that people would willingly put up and take down their awnings every day or even multiple times per day.

But it's a personal choice for each. I understand the reasoning, we just do not subscribe to it.

I was in the stake it down camp and religiously secured my awning, however the newer RV's have electric awnings. Securing the flimsy electric awnings are a bit of a challenge,but rolling it in is a easy as pressing a button.
Sadly I am now a button presser and bring my in and out quite frequently.
While I still prefer the durability and sturdiness of the manual awning, the electric is not as bad as I anticipated. But I had to change my leave it out mindset to use it successfully

Depends on where I am and what weather is expected

We anchor our awning to the ground with tie downs and keep it tipped slighty into the windy side.

We have never taken our awning down when we leave camp for the day. We have been through two major storms (caused widespread flooding with news coverage) last year and no problems.

It seems odd to us that people would willingly put up and take down their awnings every day or even multiple times per day.

But it's a personal choice for each. I understand the reasoning, we just do not subscribe to it.

I'll be the salmon on this thread - I usually don't stow it unless there is a chance of rain. They can fill up with water. Although I don't discount being cautious as other posters here obviously are. Check the forecast and go from there.

Almost lost an awning due to a sudden storm...and we were in the trailer at the time! So, I always retract the awning when leaving the campsite. Now, with the electric awning on the Winnebago, it's so easy that it would be foolish to do otherwise.

Less than 5 minutes for put up/take down. Around $1000 to replace. Easy answer.

Having seen how quickly a storm can move in on a normally gorgeous day, we now close up our 18' awning on our TT. We also retract it when we go to bed if it is calling for rain or light winds.

Last year while camping it was a beautiful 30C day. We went for a hike outside the CG. We looked over towards the CG at one point and saw a small dark cloud. Not thinking it was anything to worry about we carried on. Anyway, when we returned we had a surprise. A rather quick, intense storm was in the centre of that small cloud. There were tables turned, branches down and we counted 7 destroyed awnings just coming into the park.

If you leave, take a few minutes and save yourself not only money but a spoilt holiday.

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.