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Awning travel lock necessary?

no-logic
Explorer
Explorer
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?
2012 Palomino T-245
2016 GMC Sierra
5.3L
Borla Exhaust
Blue Ox hitch
7 REPLIES 7

tatest
Explorer II
Explorer II
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.
Tom Test
Itasca Spirit 29B

Chuck_Gail
Explorer
Explorer
I put a lock on our electric awning just in case.......
Chuck
Wonderful Wife
Australian Shepherd
2010 Ford Expedition TV
2010 Outback 230RS Toybox, 5390# UVW, 6800# Loaded

Not yet camped in Hawaii, 2 Canada Provinces, & 2 Territories


I can't be lost because I don't care where this lovely road is going

taviking22
Explorer
Explorer
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.
taviking22
Omaha, NE

'06 2500HD Silverado 4X4, Duramax LBZ, Firestone air bags
2008 Tracker Pro Guide V-16 Boat
2012 Jayco Pinnacle 31RLTS

no-logic
Explorer
Explorer
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.
2012 Palomino T-245
2016 GMC Sierra
5.3L
Borla Exhaust
Blue Ox hitch

IAMICHABOD
Explorer II
Explorer II
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.
2006 TIOGA 26Q CHEVY 6.0 WORKHORSE VORTEC
Former El Monte RV Rental
Retired Teamster Local 692
Buying A Rental Class C

downtheroad
Explorer
Explorer
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
"If we couldn't laugh we would all go insane."

Arctic Fox 25Y
GMC Duramax
Blue Ox SwayPro

powderman426
Explorer
Explorer
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.
Ron & Charlotte
WD8CBT since 1976
32' Gulfstream Ameri-Camp & 05 Ram QC LB

I started with nothing and I still have most of it left

I never fail, I just succeed in finding out what doesn't work