Patio Awning Unfurled
This was very scary, and long. I was heading down I-70 in my Cambria 30C with toad, and heard some faint banging. Then it got louder. Wife went to the back and couldn't find anything, and the banging got real loud. Looking in the rear view mirror, I could see the two awning poles banging gaily off the side of the motorhome. As you know, this highway is full of semis.
I am able to pull off this narrow portion (near Colby, Ks) between the side markers, in the grass and about 1 foot off the right hand lane. The trucker behind me had to slow to about 5 MPH as I wedged out of the way. Now, the wind is howling out of the north at about 30 MPH, as my wife and I get out and each grab a pole while the cloth part is looking and acting like a sail. I was able to rehook the rear pole into the side of the MH, but had real difficulty getting it to relock and fold back together. I finally got it to partially hold by wrapping the strap (that you use to pull the awning down), that fell off the awning, around the rear pole. Then, I was free to leave my station and do a similar thing to the front pole. The cloth is still flapping like crazy, and I am absolutely unable to fight the wind and traffic, so I do the best I can to keep it together. I proceed to drive as far to the right as possible, with flashers on, while all the traffic is buzzing by at an uncomfortable speed for me and them. About 3 miles down the road, I pull off and exit. It seemed to take 30 minutes!
I pulled into a truck stop with the wind blowing the cloth the other direction, and was somehow able to get the awning to retract. The material was shredded some on one end, and ripped some on the other. It was a mess, but it retracted fully. The two MH pole brackets were broken on one side, the "garage" base was cracked on one side, and a rafter was bent and broken at the end.
Thank God for duct tape and coat hanger wire! I tied and wrapped it up, tightened everything down, and continued my trip, and it stayed together.
I have no idea why it unfurled. Everything was locked, the hand screws were tight, and I believe the awning up/down lever was in the right position. Does anyone know what might be the problem?
Tomorrow, I get a chance to see what Progressive thinks my damage is. The dealer says $2400.
I am able to pull off this narrow portion (near Colby, Ks) between the side markers, in the grass and about 1 foot off the right hand lane. The trucker behind me had to slow to about 5 MPH as I wedged out of the way. Now, the wind is howling out of the north at about 30 MPH, as my wife and I get out and each grab a pole while the cloth part is looking and acting like a sail. I was able to rehook the rear pole into the side of the MH, but had real difficulty getting it to relock and fold back together. I finally got it to partially hold by wrapping the strap (that you use to pull the awning down), that fell off the awning, around the rear pole. Then, I was free to leave my station and do a similar thing to the front pole. The cloth is still flapping like crazy, and I am absolutely unable to fight the wind and traffic, so I do the best I can to keep it together. I proceed to drive as far to the right as possible, with flashers on, while all the traffic is buzzing by at an uncomfortable speed for me and them. About 3 miles down the road, I pull off and exit. It seemed to take 30 minutes!
I pulled into a truck stop with the wind blowing the cloth the other direction, and was somehow able to get the awning to retract. The material was shredded some on one end, and ripped some on the other. It was a mess, but it retracted fully. The two MH pole brackets were broken on one side, the "garage" base was cracked on one side, and a rafter was bent and broken at the end.
Thank God for duct tape and coat hanger wire! I tied and wrapped it up, tightened everything down, and continued my trip, and it stayed together.
I have no idea why it unfurled. Everything was locked, the hand screws were tight, and I believe the awning up/down lever was in the right position. Does anyone know what might be the problem?
Tomorrow, I get a chance to see what Progressive thinks my damage is. The dealer says $2400.
