Forum Discussion

no-logic's avatar
no-logic
Explorer
Jun 02, 2013

Awning travel lock necessary?

We have a 20' Dometic powered awning. I have heard some talk about the possibility of awnings unfurreling while going down the road.....and we all know what a mess that would make. I know our old trailer had a manual awning and we had some straps that were an extra security measure for the possibility of it actually falling open but nothing to keep the awning itself from unrolling. We never had an issue with that one. But on this one the arms are held in the closed position by the motor but again nothing to keep it from unrolling other than the spring. The locks that I have seen for the electric models would keep the actual awning from unrolling but nothing to keep the arms from falling open. Do any of you believe in any kind of travel locks for the electric awnings?
Seeking Advice
  • tatest's avatar
    tatest
    Explorer II
    Jun 03, 2013
    It is cheap insurance. Much cheaper, cost to risk, than most of the things we choose to insure.

    Necessary? No. It is only a financial risk, not life and limb.
  • taviking22's avatar
    taviking22
    Explorer
    Jun 02, 2013
    An awning lock is a good idea. In 2004 my manually operated awning unfurled going down the Interstate. Fortunately my DW caught a glimpse of it in the side view mirror. We were able to pull off on an exit before it completely undid itself and do damage.

    I blamed myself for not checking to make sure the release lever was fully in the locked position. Now with an electric awning there is nothing to check other than to make sure the arms are in the fully closed position. We have this noted on our pre-pulling check list.
  • no-logic's avatar
    no-logic
    Explorer
    Jun 02, 2013
    I just did the search that I should have done before posting. Lots of good ideas. Thanks. Now I just need to decide which one to use.
  • IAMICHABOD's avatar
    IAMICHABOD
    Explorer II
    Jun 02, 2013
    I have had my awning unroll at one time and it was a mess.

    I now use This.

    They make them for manual and automatic ones as shown on This page.
  • downtheroad's avatar
    downtheroad
    Explorer
    Jun 02, 2013
    no-logic wrote:
    Do any of you believe in any kind of travel locks for the electric awnings?

    Don't have an electric awning, but..

    I believe in this one...Inexpensive, fun project to install.
    I have seen the damage caused by:
    • An awning unfurling (so I installed this device)
    • a couple of awnings ripped away by wind - even ones 'tied down' (so we bring ours in when we leave)


    Awning Lock...HERE
  • powderman426's avatar
    powderman426
    Explorer
    Jun 02, 2013
    If your uncomfortable about the possibility that it may unfurl, there is a video on how to make a lock. It is nothing more than a rod that slides into one of the threeslots on the roller and the other end attaches to the arm so it cannot turn. Look here.

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