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!

[Branson_in_Tucs]

Found handle at Wal Mart in Rv section

[path1]

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??

IN my part of the country if you waited for the awning to be dry before rolling up you wouldn't need wheels on your RV.

[BillyandKris]

You can close it up wet. Just open it up when not windy and it will dry quickly. We ALWAYS close ours when it is windy or unattended. Can't afford to get it ripped off the camper. Some friends went out in their boat and a wind came up and ripped their awning off the fifth wheel.

[past-MIdirector]

I install a pair of De-flappers on each end, sun screen slide into the roller, and run tie down ropes to each end of the rollers. It's out now and been out since January when we set up here in Florida. Have not put it back up like a lot of the others who have there's open and tied down.

[Old-Biscuit]

It takes a whole 5 minutes to retract awning.......and a couple hours to replace IF the side of RV hasn't been damaged




Going FT entails a few extra steps......

Retract awning if leaving, when going to bed
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

[B_s_Bunch]

dougrainer wrote:
People with your attitude usually come to me to replace the awning once it
1. Rips loose in a hi wind
2. Collapses from water build up and this ruins the arms and the tube/fabric
3. Wind sensors ARE NOT A SAFE ALTERNATIVE TO RETRACTING AN AWNING. A HI wind can rip an awning loose way before a wind sensor can activate and retract the awning. Awnings with wind sensors will not honor a warranty if the Wind sensor cannot retract in time or fails to operate at all. Doug

A little story(true) Our dealership used to set up motorhomes at Good Sam rallies years ago. We set up 6 motorhomes at a Waco, Texas Fairground, extended the awnings and then went to lunch for 90 minutes. When we got back most of the awnings were destroyed by a freak wind gust that came thru the Fairground. So, you NEVER know what the weather will do.

I totally agree. Larry

[naturist]

Only if you fancy it still being there when you get back. Do a search here, you'll find reports of sudden storms ripping them to shreds.

loulou57 wrote:
The worst thing that can happen....your awning completely rips off.

If you know it is going to storm for all the time it takes you should roll up your awning. When we leave our campsite for the day we always roll it up.

In My Humble Opinion, that is the second worst thing. First worst is it beats the daylights out of the side of your rig before it rips completely off. That aluminum pipe can do some damage bashing into things.

[NaViDa]

NaViDa wrote:
No, not aware of a wind sensor on my make & model. Okay, what you all are saying makes sense, i just didnt want to have such a task to do every time i go out or to bed but if its needed then of course i'll do it.

Thank you!

Another question just arose after i posted this. I was pulling the lever on my grey tank and the plastic handle snapped! Where's the best place to find another one and the best way to prevent this from happening again?? I guess i must have pulled it too hard, not sure what i did.

TIA!

Update:

i just found a metal handle to prevent that from happening again on ebay


http://www.ebay.com/itm/RV-Camper-Replacement-METAL-Valterra-Sewer-Waste-Slide-Valve-Handle-/261285520877?pt=Motors_RV_Trailer_Camper_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3cd5d4a5ed&vxp=mtr

[NaViDa]

No, not aware of a wind sensor on my make & model. Okay, what you all are saying makes sense, i just didnt want to have such a task to do every time i go out or to bed but if its needed then of course i'll do it.

Thank you!

Another question just arose after i posted this. I was pulling the lever on my grey tank and the plastic handle snapped! Where's the best place to find another one and the best way to prevent this from happening again?? I guess i must have pulled it too hard, not sure what i did.

TIA!

[dougrainer]

People with your attitude usually come to me to replace the awning once it
1. Rips loose in a hi wind
2. Collapses from water build up and this ruins the arms and the tube/fabric
3. Wind sensors ARE NOT A SAFE ALTERNATIVE TO RETRACTING AN AWNING. A HI wind can rip an awning loose way before a wind sensor can activate and retract the awning. Awnings with wind sensors will not honor a warranty if the Wind sensor cannot retract in time or fails to operate at all. Doug

A little story(true) Our dealership used to set up motorhomes at Good Sam rallies years ago. We set up 6 motorhomes at a Waco, Texas Fairground, extended the awnings and then went to lunch for 90 minutes. When we got back most of the awnings were destroyed by a freak wind gust that came thru the Fairground. So, you NEVER know what the weather will do.

[bluwtr49]

Depends, is it an automatic with a wind sensor??

[edsland]

I bring mine in every time if leave or go to bed. Wind will tear it off the trailer and one time when I first started rving I didn't cock the awning enough and almost lost it to the weight of water. I would rather put it away wet and dry it out when nice weather returns then to lose the awning because of weather.

[loulou57]

The worst thing that can happen....your awning completely rips off.

If you know it is going to storm for all the time it takes you should roll up your awning. When we leave our campsite for the day we always roll it up.