Awning tie downs

[Vicki_in_MN]

I just joined the forum after looking around on it for a while-you all seem really knowledgable and willing to help some newbies!! Yep we bought our first TT a month ago and trying to learn as much as possible to make our new adventures enjoyable:) We bought a 2013 Wildwood 27 RLSS that was only used 5 times so it's like brand new with a lesser price tag!
My question today is what do you all use for tying down the awning, or do you not tie it down?

Vicki in MN

[Terryallan]

Vicki in MN wrote:
After hearing about many of you having to replace the awning due to not rolling it up I am really leaning in the no tie down and roll the thing up when not at the site or a storm rolling in. Thank you so much for the valuable input.

Do what ever you feel best. But. We have been camping on the beach at Myrtle Beach for 16 years. Our awning goes out when we set up, and back down when we break down to come home. We use it to keep our stuff dry. There have of course been a few times when we had to roll it up. Like last year during the hurricane. But barring that. It stays out. Our awnings have weathered too many thunderstorms to count, and weeks worth of rain storms.

I do set it up in the "carport" position with the supports staked to the ground, slanted and tied down with rope. It is VERY stable in that position. And I use anti flappers. Setup like that. The awning can take a lot of wind, and the wind blows 24/7 at the beach.
IF I couldn't leave it out all the time , except in the WORST weather. I wouldn't even use it.

[DavidP]

Use to tie down previous trailer awnings that were manual. Current is electric and do not tie it down. We also close it up when leaving trailer for significant time and at night.

[Vicki_in_MN]

After hearing about many of you having to replace the awning due to not rolling it up I am really leaning in the no tie down and roll the thing up when not at the site or a storm rolling in. Thank you so much for the valuable input.

[RollandB]

I'm in the 100% my fault group. Last summer knowing we were to have some drizzle on the coast, I was the stupid one that didn't think of tilting the awning. In the morning, could barely get out to deal with it at 6am when my brain kicked in. The roller tube was bent in the middle about 4" but at least it would still kind of roll up. $1000 later it was a good as new (9 year old awning so replaced the fabric, spring ends and tube all in one. I've not tied it down and probably won't even through I have the dog screws shown earlier.

[Sondy132001]

When we went on our honeymoon last December it was pouring rain in Westport, CA and we had our awning out, so to not have our area "flooded". It was never windy the entire 6 days we were there until one night at 1:30am when I woke up to go to the bathroom and in less than 10 mins a gust of wind took away our electric awning (I heard it ha), yeah that cost us $700. So from now on that baby gets rolled up at night regardless and no tying it down

I do have a 12X12 EZ-Up Tent that we keep in the back of our trailer over the BBQ and bicycles, that gets tied down good !

[jaycocreek]

kodiakcanuck wrote:
I have an electric awning and I tie it down. Since it is made to move with the wind, it bangs around with the slightest little breeze and drives me nuts, so I tie it down, with a slight angle for water run off. BUT...I do keep an eye on the weather and when we leave for the day or go to bed and there is any little chance of storms or big wind, I put it up.

It takes 2 seconds to undo the tie down clips, and it actually takes much longer to hit the bottom and watch it slowly roll up...

X2

[kodiakcanuck]

I have an electric awning and I tie it down. Since it is made to move with the wind, it bangs around with the slightest little breeze and drives me nuts, so I tie it down, with a slight angle for water run off. BUT...I do keep an eye on the weather and when we leave for the day or go to bed and there is any little chance of storms or big wind, I put it up.

It takes 2 seconds to undo the tie down clips, and it actually takes much longer to hit the bottom and watch it slowly roll up...

[jerem0621]

I'm very cautious with my awnings now..



Tied off, made the mistake of leaving the awning up with no tilt, sudden unexpected storm came and destroyed it.

100% my fault for leaving it and trusting the tie off... Ignorance is expensive.

Lessons learned:

* put the awning in if you are leaving camp
* tilt the awning
* if you feel the wind picking up put the awning in
* if you leave camp...put the awning up.

Thanks,

Jeremiah

[Mr__Camper]

Terryallan wrote:

Mr. Camper wrote:
We've been camping for just over 23 years and as of now the score is Mother Nature 17 and awning tie-downs 1. Never bet against a sure thing.

So you are saying you have lost 17 awnings??????

I'm saying that we've been camping for 23 years and have witnessed Mother Nature take out 17 awnings that blew off by wind or ripped when the rain pooled and caused a collapse. The only time you will find our awning out is when one or both of us are sitting under it.

[Bob_Shaw]

This doesn't apply to the OP, but, if I put my awning out "patio style", I always tie it down. I've lost a couple due to wind (one tornado) that weren't tied down. If I put the awning out regular 3 point connection, It varies. It does help to keep the awning from shaking the camper. If it's too windy, or if it looks like a storm is coming-in, the awning gets rolled-up. As for the tornado, I was at Disney World, on a bright sunny day, and while we were at the park, a storm with what probably was an f0 tornado, came through the campfround. One leg of the awning was out patio style, and that side went up over the camper and broke the upper rail. The other side, connected to the camper survived ok.

[mosseater]

we have the tie down kit with the straps and springs, but I've taken to using cam buckles with the springs and water jugs instead of ground anchors as more a dampener rather than a rigid tie down. I only use it if I'm going to be around and it's windy. When we leave I frequently put the awning down the whole way. If it's really windy, I'll roll it up. I don't like letting it out and unattended if there's a chance of wind.

[Terryallan]

Mr. Camper wrote:
We've been camping for just over 23 years and as of now the score is Mother Nature 17 and awning tie-downs 1. Never bet against a sure thing.

So you are saying you have lost 17 awnings??????

[Mr__Camper]

We've been camping for just over 23 years and as of now the score is Mother Nature 17 and awning tie-downs 1. Never bet against a sure thing.

[RDMueller]

We have a Wildwood too and ours has the Solera electric awning, chances are you have the same awning. The manual specifically states that you shouldn't use tie downs. I agree with others, roll it in if the wind picks up.