Awnings...how windy is too windy?

Desert Captain wrote:
We NEVER leave our site or go to bed with the awning up. It is just too easy to take 30 seconds and push the button (ya gotta love the new electric models), and roll it up.

X2! We roll the awning in at night, or when we go more than a one minute walk from the rig. We had to replace the awning a few years ago and it cost well over $1,000.00. Sometimes, I only put the awning out a couple of feet - just enough to provide cover at the door in the event of rain.

I have an electric which goes straight out. When it rains one side or the other will flex and dump the water.

Two problems, the awning goes straight out so it is useless in the afternoon sun. It takes a lot of water to make the arms flex.

We wind it in when we are not there.

Desert Captain wrote:
The problems arise when the wind suddenly, usually without warning, increases dramatically. I think the Latin term is "Gustus, oh my Godus". :B

Seriously, you just never know when 5 to 10 mph day can suddenly flare up into a 50+ gust that will do serious damage and can be potentially lethal once that awning and its poles start flailing around. If a front is moving through your area be especially cautious of the leading and trailing edges as that is where the most erratic winds will usually be found.

We NEVER leave our site or go to bed with the awning up. It is just too easy to take 30 seconds and push the button (ya gotta love the new electric models), and roll it up.

:C

X2, never leave the awning unattended ..

Been there and done that on having an awning destroyed. You only do it one time before you are more than cautious after that. Had mine out, tilted to the front...a huge downpour came while I was gone. One awning destroyed..rod bent and broken. When I think a wind is coming..rolled up.

CG hosted in a park in NW New Mexico several years ago. We would tell campers to retract their awnings whenever they left the rig. Some ignored the warning. Pieces and parts were regularly part of trash collection.

With the wind in the right direction an unstayed awning starts flapping and stressing the mounts at 15-17mph. When I hear it, I stow it.

My wife's brother loaned his travel trailer and boat to his son for a camping gathering. They had the awning out, camp all set up, and were enjoying the boating and relaxing. A wind came up and nephew had to make a choice, hang on to the boat (it was in waist deep water near the shore, nothing to tie to, or to go put the awning in. He saved the boat and sacrificed the awning...

I lost two awnings and both were on nice days with winds under 10 mph, except when it wasn't. One was a direct gust from the side that destroyed the arms. The second was a large whirlwind that happened my way. Tore up the antenna and the awning. I seldom put my awning out. I did put up a metal carport on my winter site.

That's why I love the convenience of a powered awning. I put it out when the weather is right and I want to the protection from sun or rain. Then I retract it when I'm done. I rarely leave it out when I am not at the site, and I don't lock the arms or tie them down. It's not so much the general wind speed (unless it is extreme) but the gusts that can cause the damage, so I want to be there to monitor it.

I probably retract the awning with any wind over about 15 mph. It's just not worth the risk of damaging the awning or the TT itself. For me, all I have to do is press a button and within 15 seconds the awning is where I want it.

My awning tells me when it's too windy by making a racket saying "retract me or you're not going to get a minute of sleep tonight." Seriously, the noise is my indicator in addition to a check of the weather. I usually bring it in at night regardless just to avoid being surprised in the middle of the night.