We are all using our awning wrong!

[Long & Winding road]

Check this out: We are all using our awning wrong?? We should extend about 2 foot, pause, then finish extending. This allows the gas struts to catch up to us.

I dont think he mentioned if we should do the same when retracting but perhaps it wouldnt hurt.

He said it will make the gas struts last a long longer. I think I will do this to be safe. Not like it costs anything (but about 30 seconds of time).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHGXbP-D5U0

[JamieGeek]

Except that our awning doesn't have an "automatic rain dumping" feature--if I don't tilt it the rain stays there.

In addition: What about all the newer awnings that don't require the user to push and hold: They just tap and the awning automatically fully extends.

Don't think this video applies ...

[Long & Winding road]

I know, I thought about the newer awnings too. I guess dont worry about it. They will eventually wear out anyway.

I thought our awnings had gas struts on them. They might be for for helping extending than a dumping but I remember seeing (and hearing) struts on mine.

[Bob Denman]

There sure are a lot of "experts" out there...

[Long & Winding road]

Yeah, but it make sense on what he says. I might try it (If I remember).

[K0LCB]

Opinions are like noses, everyone has one, most smell

[The Gritz Carlton]

He's right. the hood to our cars have them too. I usually close the hood halfway...drive halfway to work, then close it the rest of the way.

[Long & Winding road]

"Drive have way to work".... Your one of those trouble makers arnt you? I bet you cut the mattress tags off and run down the hallway with sissors in your hand. LOL.

[Long & Winding road]

I think what to take away from this is "depending on how much you use your awning". You might only extend once or twice a month overall (including storage time). Or your living it for 6+ mo a year and your extend and retact every day so the wind dont rip it off at night or while your away form the RV. To each his own.

[Bob Denman]

What if you have an armless awning?

[Beau388]

I have had my gas struts of the arms of my CofC Latitude patio awning three times repairing the ends of the roller do to driving with it extended (not recommended). The struts cannot be compressed with my 170 lbs pushing down on them. I have never noticed any slack in the awning when extending it.

[blw2]

well.... I don't have that feature, but I'll comment anyway.

It strikes me that what he's getting at is plausible.
but stating a specific distance...or any distance really... seems a bit of a stretch to me.
I get that the gas strut might have a different rate than the motion of the awning's motor.... and his primes is that the strut is slower. How much slower?
also, he's saying that the strut has enough internal capacity for over pressurization equivalent to 2ft of awning travel. OK, gas is compressible...and ok, the seals/strut has some sort of pressure limit....
but if it's 2ft of travel. Aint it going to over pressurize over the next two feet of travel???
So my take is that if this 2ft number is correct...you'd better be stopping every 2ft or less all the way out!

Personally, I think the idea is sound.... but the number has been pulled out of the air.

[jannnda]

When I push the button my awning comes out. I have never been able to stop it. Same when I retract it. One push and it does the rest on its own

[Golfbum18]

Now that we've mentioned the newer awnings not being tiltable, what's the best method of getting the rain dumped. Obvious answer is to retract the awning before it rains but.....seems like a broom pushing on the bottom side to dump rain is a little caveman....not to mention a possibility of poking a hole in the awning.....other methods?

Originally Posted by JamieGeek

Except that our awning doesn't have an "automatic rain dumping" feature--if I don't tilt it the rain stays there.

In addition: What about all the newer awnings that don't require the user to push and hold: They just tap and the awning automatically fully extends.

Don't think this video applies ...

[JamieGeek]

Originally Posted by Golfbum18

Now that we've mentioned the newer awnings not being tiltable, what's the best method of getting the rain dumped. Obvious answer is to retract the awning before it rains but.....seems like a broom pushing on the bottom side to dump rain is a little caveman....not to mention a possibility of poking a hole in the awning.....other methods?

I'm pretty sure all awnings can be tilted. Take a look at this Thor video and see if one of the awnings matches yours:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kU1kXQbvKY

[Beau388]

Originally Posted by Golfbum18

Now that we've mentioned the newer awnings not being tiltable, what's the best method of getting the rain dumped. Obvious answer is to retract the awning before it rains but.....seems like a broom pushing on the bottom side to dump rain is a little caveman....not to mention a possibility of poking a hole in the awning.....other methods?

Yes the CofC Latitude patio awnings can be tilted (pitched). Mine came with the rear down about one foot as compared to the front. If you are over 6 ft tall you will probably hit the end of the roller. <https://www.carefreeofcolorado.com/documents/070005-201r1%20Latitude%20Owners%20Manual.pdf>

[Bob Denman]

Originally Posted by Golfbum18

Now that we've mentioned the newer awnings not being tiltable, what's the best method of getting the rain dumped. Obvious answer is to retract the awning before it rains but.....seems like a broom pushing on the bottom side to dump rain is a little caveman....not to mention a possibility of poking a hole in the awning.....other methods?

http://www.thorforums.com/forums/att...1&d=1551570173

[Golfbum18]

Well, how about that. I read that this wasn't supposed to happen...asked the salesguy and he said probably couldn't tilt. Looks like it can. Good news. I haven't picked up the Hurricane yet but it will be something I test first. With the ACE, you could drop it a little which is all that's necessary. Thanks all for responding. I can put the broom away now.

Originally Posted by JamieGeek

I'm pretty sure all awnings can be tilted. Take a look at this Thor video and see if one of the awnings matches yours:

[Bill Barber]

Great info and a load of laughs this morning thanks: now, our Axis has the self rain water dumping feature with those gas shocks, I'll try to remember to slowly stop n go when extending, sounds plausible.

[Bob Denman]

One more video showing the proper procedure:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_P9PU5FcMQ