I have the good ol' manual awning where I can swing out the arms to make a nice "car port" style of setup.. I never strap it down.. I do have those clamp on 'flapper' clamps on the sides and that really makes a difference in the little gusts that come along..
My 'gauge' is if the awning starts to rattle the trailer, it's time to bring it in.. This has happened in the wee hours of the morning, but it's no big deal, I just "chose poorly" that evening... Sometimes I bring it in before going to bed because the wind is such that I know..
I will leave it out going away for the days excursion, but I also pay attention to the weather report and what the weather is doing at the time and judge accordingly.. Sometimes it gets rolled up, sometimes I just lower it to it's lowest setting still attached to the trailer or I just leave it out..
It's whatever keeps you sleeping well at night and not worrying about it when you are out and about..
It all boils down to whatever works best for you is the way to go..
I've seen plenty of flipped over awnings on rigs.. I've seen ones that were strapped down, but it was not the frame part that failed... It was the part attached to the side of the RV that ripped away.. Seen awnings laying on the side of the hwy too... So, there you go! :)
Good luck!
Mitch
