Awning Support

[lawnspecialties]

Is there a standard (not an opinion) which states an awning of a certain length and longer should have a support bracket in the center when the awning is retracted?

[TUCQUALA]

Got the center support as stated, but really don't need any more for my use!!! But thanks for the link!!!

[BarneyS]

TUCQUALA wrote:
snip... Don't really want to add any other styles of support like have been mentioned, since we boonie camp in the mountains mostly, and that stuff slows down retraction if hit with high winds or heavy rain suddenly.

Snip...

Actually, it only takes several seconds to release the awning from this support. I have had them on my last two trailers and would not have a long awning without one. Sudden high winds or rain is not a problem at all when using one.
It supports the awning when traveling and stops the bouncing. When the awning is out, it keeps the fabric taut by keeping the roller straight.
I usually do not use the drop down center support but it worked very well on the few occasions when I did.
Barney

[lawnspecialties]

TUCQUALA. That's about how much mine is sagging. Nothing major but since its only ten months old, unacceptable in my opinion. I'll be calling FR next week to find out if there's a good mounting plate up top.

[TUCQUALA]

As to the question about elec awnings, yes they sag!! In my opinion, along with the undeniable fact of our new elec awning sagging, I really think that that the awning mfgs have lightened the tube, which leads to a weaker tube. I could "bounce" the tube up and down in the middle much easier than on the previous manual awning on our Jayco. It had less "natural" sag and and "bounce" than our new one.

There is still noticeable sag when the awning is deployed, but I have been trying to stop rotation of tube so that the sag is up!! Keeps the fabric a bit tighter that way. Don't really want to add any other styles of support like have been mentioned, since we boonie camp in the mountains mostly, and that stuff slows down retraction if hit with high winds or heavy rain suddenly.

Sag without the support:



Just can see the support in this pic:

[LarryJM]

I use several things to better secure and support my awning. One is the typical awning flappers that attach to the side of the awning fabric and then to the side rails. These reduce the awning movement along the sides of the awning. The second is awning roller tensioners like shown in THIS LINK. These not only hold the awning down against the trailer, but most importantly keep tension on the roller tube keeping the awning tight. If you look close they lock into the roller tube rail and then pull on the awning roller in the direction of unrolling the awning and keep that tension on the tube via the springs.

The final is a support for the middle of my 21' awning in the middle that is basically just a adjustable extension pole it one of the standard awning light supports that slide into the awning tube slot that are normally used for hanging awning lights. I don't have the middle support for the awning tube when rolled up and rely on the rolled up fabic along the tube to provide that support when the awning is rolled up.

Larry

[ArticFox_676]

What about electric awnings? Do these also tend to sage?

[GottaRunGottaCa]

This is what I would like to put on my 20' awning clicky, I had one of these on my last fifth wheel

[dodge_guy]

I installed one after I seen how much water it collected when rolled up! very happy I did. minimal water now and no more sagging in the middle.

[TUCQUALA]

This is the one I used on both trailers. Carefree 902800. Black, white, and brown available.

https://www.amazon.com/Carefree-902800-Automatic-Awning-Support/dp/B00BFTYWI6

Available on eBay also, similar pricing. Also most RV parts places would have or could order.

Our T/Ridge has blocking for the support in the wall construction. The Jayco did not, so it needed a backing plate on the inside of a cabinet to mount the support solidly. Need to check that out on your trailer. Mfg could tell you if your model has blocking or reinforcement for this.

[billyboy]

I put a unit from c.w. on, although it's only 17 ft.I got tired of seeing the awning sagging in the middle and thinking how it bounces on the road

[lawnspecialties]

TUCQUALA wrote:
Our Timber Ridge has a 21ft awning, and sagged from day 1!!! I installed a center support and don't regret it. Our previous Jayco had an 18ft awning and I had a center support on it also.

We travel back roads, Forest Service roads, one lane dirt/rock roads and the supports do a great job of preventing further sag, and bouncing in the center of the awning.

Highly recommended for almost any awning. Newest ones seem to be more flexible and prone to sagging.

Where did you get it? Which particular model? I see CW carries a couple of varieties.

[TUCQUALA]

Our Timber Ridge has a 21ft awning, and sagged from day 1!!! I installed a center support and don't regret it. Our previous Jayco had an 18ft awning and I had a center support on it also.

We travel back roads, Forest Service roads, one lane dirt/rock roads and the supports do a great job of preventing further sag, and bouncing in the center of the awning.

Highly recommended for almost any awning. Newest ones seem to be more flexible and prone to sagging.

[lawnspecialties]

Thanks SoundGuy. I think joelc misread my post just a bit.

[SoundGuy]

joelc wrote:
I have a Care-free awning and not familiar with that rule. Check on-line or call your manufacturer. I don't think A & E does that either. I would not keep an awning out over 25 mph winds.

Who said anything about a "rule"? And what has this got to do with winds? I said Dometic (which IS A&E) recommends awning roller tube support for those 20' and longer in length ... otherwise the roller tube may sag from it's own weight over such long lengths.