Forum Discussion

Cajunbulldog's avatar
Cajunbulldog
Explorer
Mar 13, 2015

dumping water off awning

When we picked up our new TT it was drizzling. the wife had a whole suburban load to unload in it. So we put out the awning so we wouldn't get her truck and everything wet. We went inside and not 15 minutes later we hear the awning crash. yep the arms were bent and twisted all to hell. in the first 3 hour we owned it the thing collapsed. Now just hours before at the dealership the dealer made sure that he pointed out the fact that the awning "auto dumps" water off of it…… Hence I wasn't too worried about leaving it up in the Drizzle……. Has anyone else had this issue….. and was I a Dumb@ss for leaving it open in the drizzle….. But!! the dealer had all new parts over nighted and will have it up and running tomorrow, so Good on them for that.

Again first trailer, don't have a clue what I'm doing when it comes to RVs.
  • camperforlife's avatar
    camperforlife
    Explorer
    Mar 13, 2015
    I always leave one side of the awning a little lower than the other so pooling is never an issue.
  • Johno02's avatar
    Johno02
    Explorer
    Mar 13, 2015
    This is why I prefer manual awnings, although they are a lot more trouble to put in and out. I can always make sure it is tilted down on one end to let rain run off, and I can stake it down to keep normal winds from blowing it away. Of course, if storms and winds are in the forecast, we roll it up. We hav survived some really hard rains and storms without any pooling. we get more pooling on the slide toppers. It also helps that we can extend the legs to the ground for better support, and to be out of the way.
  • rvten's avatar
    rvten
    Explorer
    Mar 13, 2015
    If my MH did not come with an awning. I would not have one. Only open it a few times a year for cleaning.
  • shovelhead86's avatar
    shovelhead86
    Explorer
    Mar 13, 2015
    I have never put my awning up because of rain. Now srong wind is a different thing entirely
  • Redterpos3's avatar
    Redterpos3
    Explorer
    Mar 13, 2015
    Nice the dealer is willing to do that! I saw many others with their awnings out also, so left mine out in slight rain. However, it pooled so much that my roller bent. Now I think its just too long, a shorter one wouldn't have let so much build up. However, instead of spending another $1000, I think I'll just get an EZ up, for less than $250, and it can be moved around!
  • CA_Traveler's avatar
    CA_Traveler
    Explorer III
    Mar 13, 2015
    And now with all of those nice new shiny parts what I would do at the dealers is to spray water from their hose to recreate the problem.

    If they balk at this then you have your answer...

    But from your description your awning was either not set up correctly or not designed for rain.

    Just so you know: RVs do not have the warranty and dealer support that cars enjoy. So if your dealer stands behind the product then great! And if not then you will be better prepared for the future.

    BTW Water pooling is common - breakage is not.
  • spike99's avatar
    spike99
    Explorer
    Mar 13, 2015
    IMO, awnings are the most fragile moving part of a RV/TT. They don't like wind, they don't like rain weight and they don't stay clean very long. Especially the underside white ones.

    For my previous TT, I tried to lower its large awning myself. One of the pins let go and it all came crashing down. Broke several small parts on it. Luckily, my fingers weren't in the way - as it came crashing down. And, it didn't make dents in the side of my TT.

    Long mumblings short. It isn't you. It's the cheap design of fragile awning systems.

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