Awning Strap down

[carp65]

We have a 2015 Tiffin Allegro with an electric awning which operates
off a switch inside the doorway. It does not go up and down automatically as some do Question is: Can you strap down this type
of awning like one would do with a manual awning. Have been told
by an RV dealer that this is not a good idea. Would appreciate any
thoughts or suggestions on this.

[Kaz]

I'm not an expert (and thankful for postings by those that are), but if no significant winds are forecast, I sometimes put a couple stabilizing lines just to minimize the flapping of the awning arms in light breezes. However, to avoid a sudden gust leaving the tie-down secure and the awning ripped off the coach (how's that for a backwards outcome?), I use (1) just a tent stake as the attachment point, (2) light nylon line, and (3) just a taut-line hitch on the tie-down. It's never been tested, but I hope in that configuration the tie-down would give first.

[Thunder_Mountai]

dougrainer wrote:

gemert wrote:

carp65 wrote:
We have a 2015 Tiffin Allegro with an electric awning which operates
off a switch inside the doorway. It does not go up and down automatically as some do Question is: Can you strap down this type
of awning like one would do with a manual awning. Have been told
by an RV dealer that this is not a good idea. Would appreciate any
thoughts or suggestions on this.

I am not an expert. If it is not an automatic awning that goes up when wind increases, I can not imagine a reason, other than operator error, that you should not be able to tie it down.

Well, I AM an expert:) People that strap down ANY awning, are usually people that end up buying a new Awning. Awnings are basically parachutes. When the storm type winds kick up, that awning will break loose and pull loose any type strap system you use. If it does NOT break the strap system loose, the awning will buckle and then be destroyed. Automatic Retract awnings are for when people forget to retract in normal wind and rain. THEY ARE NOT DESIGNED OR SOLD AS A AUTO RETRACT IN ALL CONDITIONS. The instructions state to always retract in moderate to heavy rain and wind. Also, they will not help in sudden extreme wind gusts. They cannot respond fast enough. Doug

You need to visit AZ in the winter. Many, many Snowbirds stake out their awnings in November and take them up in March. We purchased a awning sun shade for our new HM this winter. We turned off the awning power to cancel the auto retract. The shade was staked down with 12" rebar stakes in four places. We staked down the arms with the same stakes. We had no problems for the month of February in Yuma despite some windy days. Now, we were in an RV park where trees, other RVs and perimeter walls broke up the wind.

I wouldn't do it out in the desert with no wind breaks although I have seen some. I also wouldn't think a staked awning could resist micro bursts that you see in the summer in the Four Corners.

[pennysmom09]

We have an automatic awning and also use a screen and tie downs. Without the screen and/or tie downs it bounces around too much in light gusts. Been doing it for a few years now without a problem. When severe gusts are expected we pull the tie downs and roll the screen up with the awning. We enjoy the awning a lot more so it works for us.

[Acampingwewillg]

With an Automatic Awning, if I had one, I would not strap it down but let it do it's thing like its suppose to. On the other hand, I do strap down my manual awning and while I monitor the wind's, I can guarantee you that most windy days have no effect on it and Yes, I have repaired an awning that wasn't strapped down. A quick note....obviously, when the winds get really bad, I can get it retracted pretty quick even with straps. If I didn't use the straps, it would hardly be worth using that awning at all cause I'b be opening and closing it all day long.

[allenm]

I used to tie my electric awning down but got tired of putting my pants on at 3AM to go out and remove the tie-downs every time it got too windy.

[Jack_Diane_Free]

I thought the idea of an electric awning was so that you could get it in fast when wind or storm is coming. Kind of defeats that if you tie it down.

[ford_truck_guy]

downtheroad wrote:
Thoughts: I'm never in favor of strapping down any awning. For me, it's an extra step that slows down the roll up process in case of a sudden storm or gust of wind.

Have seen a number of awnings destroyed and RV's damaged when a "strapped down" awning rips off the side wall.

If it's too windy to leave out naturally, it comes in.

I was sitting outside my RV last summer in Charlotte , just finished setting up everything but the awnings..
Within the next few minutes , we had a HUGE straight line wind gust come and take out probably 3 awnings around the CG.. I bet we had 2 minute warning at that... No way you would have had time to un-secure any awning..

[crasster]

I am always in favor of re-engineering stuff, except for awnings. Wind is very very powerful and can wreck havoc on your coach. I would let the awning be as it is engineered that way for a reason.

[DavidP]

downtheroad wrote:
Thoughts: I'm never in favor of strapping down any awning. For me, it's an extra step that slows down the roll up process in case of a sudden storm or gust of wind.

Have seen a number of awnings destroyed and RV's damaged when a "strapped down" awning rips off the side wall.

If it's too windy to leave out naturally, it comes in.

x2

[dougrainer]

gemert wrote:

carp65 wrote:
We have a 2015 Tiffin Allegro with an electric awning which operates
off a switch inside the doorway. It does not go up and down automatically as some do Question is: Can you strap down this type
of awning like one would do with a manual awning. Have been told
by an RV dealer that this is not a good idea. Would appreciate any
thoughts or suggestions on this.

I am not an expert. If it is not an automatic awning that goes up when wind increases, I can not imagine a reason, other than operator error, that you should not be able to tie it down.

Well, I AM an expert:) People that strap down ANY awning, are usually people that end up buying a new Awning. Awnings are basically parachutes. When the storm type winds kick up, that awning will break loose and pull loose any type strap system you use. If it does NOT break the strap system loose, the awning will buckle and then be destroyed. Automatic Retract awnings are for when people forget to retract in normal wind and rain. THEY ARE NOT DESIGNED OR SOLD AS A AUTO RETRACT IN ALL CONDITIONS. The instructions state to always retract in moderate to heavy rain and wind. Also, they will not help in sudden extreme wind gusts. They cannot respond fast enough. Doug

[downtheroad]

Thoughts: I'm never in favor of strapping down any awning. For me, it's an extra step that slows down the roll up process in case of a sudden storm or gust of wind.

Have seen a number of awnings destroyed and RV's damaged when a "strapped down" awning rips off the side wall.

If it's too windy to leave out naturally, it comes in.

[gemert]

carp65 wrote:
We have a 2015 Tiffin Allegro with an electric awning which operates
off a switch inside the doorway. It does not go up and down automatically as some do Question is: Can you strap down this type
of awning like one would do with a manual awning. Have been told
by an RV dealer that this is not a good idea. Would appreciate any
thoughts or suggestions on this.

I am not an expert. If it is not an automatic awning that goes up when wind increases, I can not imagine a reason, other than operator error, that you should not be able to tie it down.