Awning broken

[Buttonguy52]

I'm still trying to figure out how to drop the awning down a little when extended instead of being so high up.

[JamieGeek]

Note that there are different models of awnings on different coaches (even the newer Axis/Vegas units have a different awning than older units such as mine and Ed's).

Fortunately Thor has posted a video on how to adjust the tilt for all the different models:

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

We keep ours tilted all the time and have some pretty heavy rains fall on it without issue (no or light winds in those conditions).

[Techn0]

I leave my awning down in the wind and rain. Of course, I have it pitched down so the rain runs off of it and I also have it tied to the ground with the Carefree EZ Zipblocker. I have been coast to coast with it now and no issues in moderate wind and lots of rain. Perhaps we are the exception.

[Bob Denman]

Originally Posted by JamieGeek

Note that there are different models of awnings on different coaches (even the newer Axis/Vegas units have a different awning than older units such as mine and Ed's).

Fortunately Thor has posted a video on how to adjust the tilt for all the different models:

We keep ours tilted all the time and have some pretty heavy rains fall on it without issue (no or light winds in those conditions).

Thanks for posting this!
You guys sure know how to help out us Newbies!

[bruno1950]

Bob, you are not the only newbie on this forum. We have only been doing the RV thing for a couple of years and find these forums to be invaluable. The next essential thing we found is to watch what the veterans do in the parks when inclement weather is coming in. If they retract theirs so do we.

[Bob Denman]

I'm buying binoculars this afternoon!
I'm in a bit of an unusual situation: I've been a hugely active member of a forum for riders of the Can Am Spyder (reverse trike) for years. I've seen all of the discussions in there countless times, so I've become "overconfident" with my knowledge base.
I've been in here a week, and am learning new stuff again! The experts always seem to jump in with good answers!

[rick kirby]

I may never pull mine out unless I'm inside !
On my 5th wheel we had it tilted in a big way and went through some real downpours.

[lspotho]

As a newbie, I'm pretty careful about retracting my awning, and really appreciate the info on adjusting it. But here's a worst case scenario question: if it gets torn or bent, what do you do in the short term, to get home? Rip it off and throw it away - probably not :-) Retract as well as possible and use duct tape for the loose parts? Call a tow truck?

As a long-time computer guy, I like to plan for the worst case scenarios!

Thanks
Dan
Thor Siesta 24SA 2016

[JamieGeek]

Originally Posted by lspotho

As a newbie, I'm pretty careful about retracting my awning, and really appreciate the info on adjusting it. But here's a worst case scenario question: if it gets torn or bent, what do you do in the short term, to get home? Rip it off and throw it away - probably not :-) Retract as well as possible and use duct tape for the loose parts? Call a tow truck?

As a long-time computer guy, I like to plan for the worst case scenarios!

Thanks
Dan
Thor Siesta 24SA 2016

My vote is for retract as best you can and bind up the loose parts with duct tape and/or bungee cord. Worst case would be to break out the tools and try to carefully remove it and stow it inside the coach.

So far, knock on wooden head, we've had no issues like this for any awning.

[vkb]

[QUOTE=bevedfelker;85028] Generally I put my awning in as soon as it starts raining.QUOTE]

Ed...thanks for your, once again, excellent feedback.
We, have for many years, retracted our awning at a whisper of wind or rain...and at night when we retire, we always retract...we have friends who have spikes and tie downs for each corner, which gives the awning stability on their 5th wheel.

This comment may be redundant..
Ron makes sure the awning is completely extended...making sure the 'arms' are locked. If it is not properly extended, failure can occur.

[Druff]

It is pointless to have an awning that puts itself away when it starts raining, then you have to put everything else away or it is going to get wet. To me some of the nicest days are sitting under the awning and watching it rain.

I made a brackets and mounted them to the bottom of the camper to attach ropes to tie down the awning. I use an easy strap (it has two loops on it and you wrap it around the bar at the top and through itself) then hook a carabineer on each end of the ropes with a slide bar on one end like a tent. You can set one end high and the other end low in case it rains. I have done this for years without a problem as our 5th wheel had the same power awning.

They call this progress the old manual awnings you could do this with the slide bars and wing bolts. The dealers like to show off though how everything is power now and you think it is better when your buying it.

[Bob Denman]

Very creative!

[rick kirby]

Looks like the awning will retract even with that bungee on it.

Does it ?

[Druff]

No, it is a rope that comes back on itself with a tension bar like a tent when I was in the Army. It is under load so the awning will not lift. It is not wind sensitive on my 31W anyway. This way I can leave it out and be gone without worry of it flying up if it gets windy. I will take a picture of it out when we go again and post it, I can't put it out in my garage.

[rick kirby]

Originally Posted by Druff

No, it is a rope that comes back on itself with a tension bar like a tent when I was in the Army. It is under load so the awning will not lift. It is not wind sensitive on my 31W anyway. This way I can leave it out and be gone without worry of it flying up if it gets windy. I will take a picture of it out when we go again and post it, I can't put it out in my garage.

Jeez man, I can't even remember how we set up our tents in the army. I remember they were GREEN ! And when we had to get them out we had to find a guy with the other half. And that the food was going to be real bad for a while . Lol

[Druff]

I am talking big tents, I was a COOK so we used big tents for everything.

[rick kirby]

Originally Posted by Druff

I am talking big tents, I was a COOK so we used big tents for everything.

You were one of THEM ???????

Damn man, I got busted. Lmao

[Druff]

I take no offense, the guys that could eat where we cooked in the field ate pretty good. Once we put the food in the mermite cans and sent it to the gun lines in didn't always hold up very well. And MRE's are pretty bad after a while too.

[Druff]

This is the ropes when up

[Bob Denman]

Thanks for the pictures: it now makes perfect sense to me!