Every worry about your awning opening when driving

The awning on our previous motorhome unfurled while out in Arizona one year. The awning didn't open, but wind got under the fabric and unfurled it, causing it to billow up. DH made a fix of some sort to keep that from happening, but it was due to a spring or something that was broken. We eventually had that fixed.

Dale

Had it happen once with my previous manual awning, no issues so far with my newer power awning...

Old-Biscuit wrote:
I take my awning rod and use it to lock the roller

Stick the bent end of rod into hole on end cap of roller (opposite end of locking pawl lever or motor drive)
Rod hanging straight down place it behind the awning arms and strap it in place using velcro straps, bungee cords, zip ties etc)

Roller won't move...awning material can not unfurl

This is an modification I got from 'robsouth' that use to post here

The idea is good, but I would doubt that only the standard approx 1" bend at the end of the awning rod and the small diameter of the awning rod inserted into the awning tube would really hold if the awning started trying to unfurl and bang around at highway speeds.

Larry

D.E.Bishop wrote:
No, it's a easy thing to prevent, no worries. Bought a 4' length of 3/8" rod. Cut in half bent a 4" Ell on one end and a 'U' shape on the other. Ell goes in the tube, 'U' shape fits over the arm, hard to explain but bringing the keeper down to the arm exerts some torque on the rod and the tension keeps the rod in place. I did cover the rod where it wraps around the arm with shrink tube and takes 30 seconds to remove and 45 to install. I actually made two of them, one is in a cabinet because I'm forgetful and misplace them. It is on the pre-travel check list. Cost about eight bucks and got two.

Someone, years ago made one and showed it in a post.

I did something similiar, but used a 8" bolt from Lowes and attached it to an old golf course sized umbrella shaft. See pics below for some details. Cost was under $1.







Larry

No, it's a easy thing to prevent, no worries. Bought a 4' length of 3/8" rod. Cut in half bent a 4" Ell on one end and a 'U' shape on the other. Ell goes in the tube, 'U' shape fits over the arm, hard to explain but bringing the keeper down to the arm exerts some torque on the rod and the tension keeps the rod in place. I did cover the rod where it wraps around the arm with shrink tube and takes 30 seconds to remove and 45 to install. I actually made two of them, one is in a cabinet because I'm forgetful and misplace them. It is on the pre-travel check list. Cost about eight bucks and got two.

Someone, years ago made one and showed it in a post.

Has only happened once to me. While driving in 60 mph winds on Whidbey Island my manual awning apparently began to unravel and I didn't know it until I was pulled over by a Sheriff Deputy. No ticket, just a very helpful guy who didn't want it to get worse. I was able to re-roll by the side of busy highway and proceed to the campground in very windy conditions. Shortly thereafter I had it removed and a new power awning installed at Camping World.

Am still thankful the deputy who alerted me...he explained that he was an RV'er also and he didn't want to see my awning destroyed. I wrote a complimentary letter to the Island County Sheriff to commend that deputy.

I take my awning rod and use it to lock the roller

Stick the bent end of rod into hole on end cap of roller (opposite end of locking pawl lever or motor drive)
Rod hanging straight down place it behind the awning arms and strap it in place using velcro straps, bungee cords, zip ties etc)

Roller won't move...awning material can not unfurl

This is an modification I got from 'robsouth' that use to post here

thst happened on our first motorhome back in the mid-80's. i found an awning lock that mounted on the end of the roller arm preventing it from turning. we had that motor home for another 12-13 yrs and then moved that awning lock to a new MH which we kept for 15-yrs. no issues. our current MH has a power awning with no lock. keeping fingers crossed.

Don't know about power awnings but they do sell these for manual ones.
awning lock

My neighbor has a horror story about his awning blowing open while driving across the Coronado bridge in San Diego. Can’t imagine!