Awning tie down ropes

I once wrote to Carefree of Colorado regarding securing my electric awning and the use of tie downs and a screen. They told me using tie downs would void the warranty......When I replied that the screen I intended to use (tied down) was made by Carefree, they replied that was OK..................I use tie downs on the awning all the time without any issues. We always put the awning away when we are not at the camp site or in high winds.

I haven't had an electric awning on a camper yet. But I can tell you that years ago, we were camping outside of Detroit and a storm came up so quickly that if my awning had been tied down, I'm fairly certain that it would have been damaged before we could have untied it and gotten it rolled up. As it was, there was enough wind that as my wife was trying to hold the awning tube down (while I was trying to get it down), the force of the wind lifter the awning and her off the ground. We were lucky enough to get ours down but several campers lost their awnings. Ever since then, when we're not at the camper, the awning gets taken down, and with newer electric awnings...why not?

We do have an electric Sunsetter awning at our new home, and the wind sensor is great. On our next trailer....which should be in the next 6 months or so, we'll definitely opt for an electric awning with wind sensor.

nremtp143 wrote:
I use straps and poles for mine! No sensor to close it. The poles are to keep a gust of wind from pushing it down and it springing back up and pulling the bolts out of the trailer. Seen this done several times. When really windy, I put it up.

Ditto minus the poles to the ground..

Wheel Estate wrote:
the new awning have wind sensors that roll them up in higher winds (unless you shut it off) that would not work so well...(unless you shut off auto store)

The wind sensors are useless on the A&E Awnings. There is a design flaw that under the right dead wind conditions will cause the awning to go into a freeze protect mode and retract. Before I shut off my detectors I never once saw it operate correctly. SO... I now carry awning straps and tension springs.

I use rope and one of These and a carabiner. A use the carabiner to attach the rope to the awning and loop the rope around a stake then attach the grabbit back up the rope. The carabiner makes for easy removal in case the wind picks up quickly.

One trick I have learned since my tent days was to stop using ropes and use the 1/2-inch web ratchet straps.. These are quickly disconnected with one quick release movement. Ropes were always a mess for me - even if I tried to put in slip type knots...

Roy Ken

I use straps and poles for mine! No sensor to close it. The poles are to keep a gust of wind from pushing it down and it springing back up and pulling the bolts out of the trailer. Seen this done several times. When really windy, I put it up.

I wouldn't restrict it with tie downs. Even heard of a disaster with tie downs on manual awnings. If its too windy, put it away. Heard a sad story after insurance wouldn't pay and it was tied down. Or wouldn't pay because it was tied down. Even the dealers wont endorse tying them down but will sell you the hardware to do it. If the awning billows and its tied down ,something, somewhere has to give, it would seem that the weak spot is now at the track where the awning attaches to the RV.

I use ropes tied to 12" spikes in the ground. My Dometic awning does not have wind sensor and is equipped with manual tensioner knobs to keep the awning arms and fabric good and tight when staked down. This method has worked out well for several years with no damage or issues. The only time I bring it in is when a storm threat is eminent.
Steve

the new awning have wind sensors that roll them up in higher winds (unless you shut it off) that would not work so well...(unless you shut off auto store)