Need awning input...

[cannesdo]

My neighbor has a travel trailer from the 80's, is stationary, and wants to create some kind of awning over her door. We are on the Oregon Coast and can get some high winds. She doesn't really want to be opening and closing it all the time. She has a dog and just wants a covered space when he wants to run out. We were thinking maybe a regular house awning that is attached to her trailer and a few straps that run down from the front corners that are anchored into the ground. Thoughts? She had some beautiful carpet on there that I accidently tore through with a pressure washer. That will be replaced soon. We were thinking maybe it could be attached to the top of the steps somehow, with straps to hold it down...or support poles.


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We were thinking maybe just some DIY awning kit similar plus anchoring straps. She's in her late 70's and still working as a housekeeper at a hotel so we're trying to come up with an affordable option. 🙂


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[Super_Dave]

Why not some 4 x 4's bolted to the already existing deck with a lid?

[cannesdo]

Lwiddis wrote:
Check any anchor points on the trailer carefully before buying anything. That trailer is almost 40 years old. Hopefully this good deed...if you proceed...won't come back to bite you like the carpet.

Anchor points -- like studs? That trailer is made better than anything on the road today. The roof hasn't leaked a bit. They made them better back then. As for the carpet...it was 8 years old and threadbare. The creepy park sex-addict snuck up behind me while I was spraying them down and I was so distracted it rested too long on one spot. I bought her some new higher-quality carpet and told him where to "step" off.

[cannesdo]

Fisherman wrote:
Get yourself some earth anchors, there's various ones out there. I used 4 that holds down a 10 x 10 patio roof, been there for 5 years and has not budged an inch. Here's one. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Vortex-16-in-Steel-Folding-Ring-Spiral-Ground-Anchor-ANCFR16-ORG-A/202703690 and here's some more. https://www.rona.ca/en/shelterlogic-shelterauger-earth-anchors-30-in-4-pack-10075-330736988

Thanks so much!

[Fisherman]

Get yourself some earth anchors, there's various ones out there. I used 4 that holds down a 10 x 10 patio roof, been there for 5 years and has not budged an inch. Here's one. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Vortex-16-in-Steel-Folding-Ring-Spiral-Ground-Anchor-ANCFR16-ORG-A/202703690 and here's some more. https://www.rona.ca/en/shelterlogic-shelterauger-earth-anchors-30-in-4-pack-10075-330736988

[cannesdo]

Thanks for the input. Yeah, she's not in any way interested in some big project. If this tears out of the trailer it's old anyway, won't be the end of the world. We'll patch it up and start over. I have a friend in the park who is in construction and he'll be able to advise about how to best attach the legs. Good suggestion about the door clearance. It looks like this one can be installed at different angles which is another nice thing about the design....Funny, it didn't occur to me for the longest time that with most of these door awnings (even the cloth RV door awnings) the rain is going to come right off the far side of it. Was very happy to find this one with a gutter.

[ksg5000]

My 02. Owners already don't trust the awning that came with the rig. Making the cover out of aluminum or whatever doesn't mean squat if it's attached to the rig because Oregon Coast winds will just rip it off the roof and maybe the roof with it.

If it were me I would just open the door when the dog wanted out. If not I would build a small shelter that protect the door from the winds and leave the door open. But that will take a lot of work and depending on where the rig is parked might not be acceptable.

[Lwiddis]

Check any anchor points on the trailer carefully before buying anything. That trailer is almost 40 years old. Hopefully this good deed...if you proceed...won't come back to bite you like the carpet.

[DrewE]

camperfamily wrote:
The challenge may be clearance for the door when it opens out vs. in like a residential door does. Something to keep in mind.

Many, many residential doors have screen/storm doors that open out, as well as the main door that opens inwardly, so this shouldn't be too much of a challenge to overcome.

I tend to agree that a solid structure with a solid roof is what would be best. A carport or pole barn or pergola sort of structure over the entire trailer (and entryway) might be the ideal solution, but not inexpensive.

[camperfamily]

The challenge may be clearance for the door when it opens out vs. in like a residential door does. Something to keep in mind.

[cannesdo]

We're looking at this one now: https://www.amazon.com/NuImage-Awnings-40425-Aluminum-Support/dp/B00KZU0VZY/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keyw...

[toedtoes]

I agree. I would make a covered porch out of solid material. Even a "tin roof" would handle the winds better than fabric.

[MitchF150]

Good luck with that.... If it's a fabric cover, it's just a big kite and yes, the straps will hold down the frame, but the fabric will just rip away.

Fixed trailer, wants a covered porch, built it out of wood and screw it into the trailer like it was a house.

Or, look at the stick built house on the Oregon coast and note how many have open covered porches?? Even made out of wood??

Sorry to be an ass on this, but wind and open fabric awnings don't really mix too well in general..

Good luck! Mitch