RV Awning

[NaViDa]

Hi All,

I'm new to Fulltiming. Because of privacy, I prefer my awning to be open but now the wind is picking up in So Nv.. Do i really have to bring it back in when i leave each time during this windy season?? Whats the worse that can happen if i leave it open, then a strong wind gust comes up before i return home to reel it in again?? And if it rains while its opened or down, should i always wait for it to dry before reeling it back in again, as well??

TIA!

[NaViDa]

Old-Biscuit wrote:

NaViDa wrote:
Water source......only takes a few seconds to turn off. $$$$, time and frustration to repair due to broken fitting flooding RV while gone.
Power.....never trust that power pedestal has been properly wired/maintained. Especially on a 50A receptacle. Open neutral, reversed polarity, correct voltage. Testing can be done with a meter or via a surge guard device.
Fridge....off level operation disrupts the flow of cooling medium which can then be overheated and plate out on inside of cooling unit tubes. Damage is accumulative, permanent and non-reversible
Checking batteries....converter (charger) can overcharge and boil water out of batteries. Routine check of level/topping off as needed will prolong life of batteries. Monthly check until you know how your charger maintains. Some are very good, some so-so.

I still dont get why i need to turn off my water source outside when i leave for a few hours?? I mean actually leaving the rv since i'm assuming you're saying this because of the fact we're talking about what to do when if i leave the RV to go out and run errands??

And what is this "pedestal"??

And the rest you're saying, i'll need someone to explain to me in person because i am not seeing what you're saying if there isnt an image i can view.

I still paint by numbers:h

thanks

So you're gone seeing the sights and come back to water running out your door/slides because a plumbing fitting inside your RV broke/blew off.....flooded RV when all it takes is to close CG faucet to hose before leaving!

Pedestal...that would be the power source that you plug your power cord into at a CG. NEVER assume it has been properly wired or is is good condition. Test it with a meter.

A surge guard is an electric device that you can purchase (either a portable type or a hardwired type) that will automatically check the power source for improper wiring and voltage, will trip power to RV if voltage goes to high or too low

Check out this one from Progressive Industries.......LIFETIME Warranty
LINK

Fridge....level your RV and you won't have off-level problems with fridge

Batteries...check the water levels every once in a while and top off with distilled water IF needed.

Okay then, now i have something to chew on, thank you!

[Old-Biscuit]

NaViDa wrote:
Water source......only takes a few seconds to turn off. $$$$, time and frustration to repair due to broken fitting flooding RV while gone.
Power.....never trust that power pedestal has been properly wired/maintained. Especially on a 50A receptacle. Open neutral, reversed polarity, correct voltage. Testing can be done with a meter or via a surge guard device.
Fridge....off level operation disrupts the flow of cooling medium which can then be overheated and plate out on inside of cooling unit tubes. Damage is accumulative, permanent and non-reversible
Checking batteries....converter (charger) can overcharge and boil water out of batteries. Routine check of level/topping off as needed will prolong life of batteries. Monthly check until you know how your charger maintains. Some are very good, some so-so.

I still dont get why i need to turn off my water source outside when i leave for a few hours?? I mean actually leaving the rv since i'm assuming you're saying this because of the fact we're talking about what to do when if i leave the RV to go out and run errands??

And what is this "pedestal"??

And the rest you're saying, i'll need someone to explain to me in person because i am not seeing what you're saying if there isnt an image i can view.

I still paint by numbers:h

thanks

So you're gone seeing the sights and come back to water running out your door/slides because a plumbing fitting inside your RV broke/blew off.....flooded RV when all it takes is to close CG faucet to hose before leaving!

Pedestal...that would be the power source that you plug your power cord into at a CG. NEVER assume it has been properly wired or is is good condition. Test it with a meter.

A surge guard is an electric device that you can purchase (either a portable type or a hardwired type) that will automatically check the power source for improper wiring and voltage, will trip power to RV if voltage goes to high or too low

Check out this one from Progressive Industries.......LIFETIME Warranty
LINK

Fridge....level your RV and you won't have off-level problems with fridge

Batteries...check the water levels every once in a while and top off with distilled water IF needed.

[dougrainer]

DavisK wrote:

Dale.Traveling wrote:
Summer thunderstorm blew thru and filled it up with water (didn't drop a corner when I set up also).

How do you dip the corner of a power awning?

Either tie a rope to one corner and pull it down slightly, or, most electrics have a adjustable rear arm to lower the rear slightly(the OLD read the awning owners manual:B ). Some also have a spring loaded arm that will drop slightly when weight is applied by a build up of water, but that feature needs a good slope on the awning and most electrics do not have much of a slope.

[DavisK]

Dale.Traveling wrote:
Summer thunderstorm blew thru and filled it up with water (didn't drop a corner when I set up also).

How do you dip the corner of a power awning?

[NaViDa]

Water source......only takes a few seconds to turn off. $$$$, time and frustration to repair due to broken fitting flooding RV while gone.
Power.....never trust that power pedestal has been properly wired/maintained. Especially on a 50A receptacle. Open neutral, reversed polarity, correct voltage. Testing can be done with a meter or via a surge guard device.
Fridge....off level operation disrupts the flow of cooling medium which can then be overheated and plate out on inside of cooling unit tubes. Damage is accumulative, permanent and non-reversible
Checking batteries....converter (charger) can overcharge and boil water out of batteries. Routine check of level/topping off as needed will prolong life of batteries. Monthly check until you know how your charger maintains. Some are very good, some so-so.

I still dont get why i need to turn off my water source outside when i leave for a few hours?? I mean actually leaving the rv since i'm assuming you're saying this because of the fact we're talking about what to do when if i leave the RV to go out and run errands??

And what is this "pedestal"??

And the rest you're saying, i'll need someone to explain to me in person because i am not seeing what you're saying if there isnt an image i can view.

I still paint by numbers:h

thanks

[NaViDa]

Branson in Tucson wrote:
Found handle at Wal Mart in Rv section

Okay, thanks a bunch!

[Old-Biscuit]

NaViDa wrote:
I'm so glad i asked about the awning before our March winds hits Vegas!

I went to bed not worrying if i'd have to get up in the AM to roll it back up in the wind and rain, since thats here too, as well.

Thank you all!

I do have a few more questions about what was stated below here?? Could you give more details as to what you're saying and why??

Thanks!

Turning off water source when leaving
Checking power pedestal PRIOR to hooking up
Leveling RV prior to operating fridge
Checking batteries water levels/state of charge

Water source......only takes a few seconds to turn off. $$$$, time and frustration to repair due to broken fitting flooding RV while gone.
Power.....never trust that power pedestal has been properly wired/maintained. Especially on a 50A receptacle. Open neutral, reversed polarity, correct voltage. Testing can be done with a meter or via a surge guard device.
Fridge....off level operation disrupts the flow of cooling medium which can then be overheated and plate out on inside of cooling unit tubes. Damage is accumulative, permanent and non-reversible
Checking batteries....converter (charger) can overcharge and boil water out of batteries. Routine check of level/topping off as needed will prolong life of batteries. Monthly check until you know how your charger maintains. Some are very good, some so-so.

[rgatijnet1]

Definitely turn off water at the pedestal when leaving.
Checking the power polarity and voltage before hooking up is a good idea BUT, it will not tell you what happens once a load is applied to the power source.
Your refrigerator info will tell you about leveling. I believe mine says up to 6 degrees off of level is OK, Yours may be different.
If you have wet cell batteries, your fluid level will go down especially in hot weather. If your charging system is set too high, this will also cause some of your fluid to be boiled off. Until you know what is normal for your coach, just check the water level every week or so to see how the level changes on your coach.

[NaViDa]

I'm so glad i asked about the awning before our March winds hits Vegas!

I went to bed not worrying if i'd have to get up in the AM to roll it back up in the wind and rain, since thats here too, as well.

Thank you all!

I do have a few more questions about what was stated below here?? Could you give more details as to what you're saying and why??

Thanks!

Turning off water source when leaving
Checking power pedestal PRIOR to hooking up
Leveling RV prior to operating fridge
Checking batteries water levels/state of charge

[rgatijnet1]

We travel a lot out West and in the Great Plains. We never leave an awning out and some RV parks warn you about even extending any awning, day or night, even if you stay in the coach.
That said, I have seen awnings secured with anchors that are screwed in to the ground connected with ratchet straps. These were not the little screw in anchors used for a pet leash but were the type of anchors used for storage sheds, etc. If you are going to be at the site for a period of time, you may try the ground anchors if the park will allow them. I've never tried them and I am only saying that i have seen others using them.

[carp65]

We keep ours strapped down and it still only takes about 5 min. to retract
it. Never go away leaving it out. Almost lost it in a thunder storm in
Virginia. Thanks to a great neighbor was able to get it off the roof and
back in place with absolutely no damage-a miracle, for sure.

[sowego]

Wind is an awnings worst enemy! If you will have extreme winds &/or severe thunderstorms I'd pull it in. You can tie down an awning but in the chance that an anchor comes loose or the fabric starts to whip too much it can indeed be damaged tethered or not.

We've seen many awnings left out that ended up ripped off, twisted back over the top of the RV, swing sideways taking out a window...so, it's really up to you...how often do you wish to replace it? How happy will you be if it damages the side of your RV?

[Dale_Traveling]

I left my awning out last summer when we went sight seeing. Summer thunderstorm blew thru and filled it up with water (didn't drop a corner when I set up also). The awning didn't rip off the coach but the 16' roller tube now has a bit of a bow in it. Going to be a real pain and expensive to replace. I keep a closer watch on the weather now that I learned the hard way.

[iamcanuck45]

I rented my MH to a friend once and only once. He left the awning out while he was away for a couple of days. What a mess. So YES. do bring the awning in when leaving and when going to bed. It is no fun being outside in pouring rain at 3 am in your pajamas.
I also saw an airstream whose awning was out and we got a sudden windstorm. No warning. The wind ballooned the awning as though it was the main sail on a clipper. The awning did not get ripped off. Instead it flipped the airstream on it's side.
The best advice for RVers....Always think of Murphy's Law.:B