Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Denman
D,
There's no harm in retracting it during a gusty moment. If anything: it will provide less area to catch the wind.
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Just saying what I saw, but of course I will always believe you over my lying eyes...
[Staement from D Koldman Lying Eyes: ]
The Awning was out, I saw and felt a steady gust of wind against my pupil. I watch owner go hit the momentary switch and it starts to retract, the wind caught it and it lifted straight up, just like a sail on a boat. I was sure the frame was going to snap; but owner quickly reverse switch and it starting to straighten and tighten up. When fully out, I could still see the wind ruffling the awning, but owner was NOT about to try again. Contrary to conventional wisdom, owner waited until the wind calmed down and brought it back in.
Well that is what my lying eyes saw anyway
I guess if no one can share a negative experience with their auto retract; I guess it could have made it, but I don't think so. For sure I will not buy Auto Retract to add on. I don't leave out at night, or when not around anyway. We only use it when outside or trying to block sun to help keep it cool.
btw, I would agree that retracting may be less area to catch, but retraction also breaks the structural integrity of the extended frame, and when being brought end there is a lift as it is angular going toward the top of the RV almost 12 feet high from a previous position that may have been 8 ft. Add the fact that despite it being retracted there was still 40sf or so of awning that is plenty for wind to get under and lift it up.
I would not be surprised that if you read the Carefree fine print somewhere it will tell you to retract the awning BEFORE any wind gust and not during those same winds. Make the sensor too sensitive and a breeze may retract it? I bet some owners struggle with that too?