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Post by dsmith on Mar 6, 2017 12:34:44 GMT -5
Getting ready to pick up our new Spree. We really like the unit, but are very concerned with the electric awning. It is very easy to adjust by hand once it is extended, which makes me believe that a sudden gust of wind will toss it all over. Any advice/products on securing it so it doesn't become damaged? Don't get me wrong, I won't leave it out in stiff winds, but it would be nice to not have to worry about it each time there is a little breeze.
Our old TT had a manual awning which I very rarely had to put in because the wind was too strong, so this electric awning is completely new to me. Thanks.
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Post by lynnmor on Mar 6, 2017 15:01:50 GMT -5
I absolutely hate my electric awning, it needs to be rolled up when the weather is less than perfect. To me, it is only a sun shade on nice days. I rarely use it unlike the manual awnings I had before. A manual awning has parts forming a strong triangle. In my opinion, just forget you have an awning.  |
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Post by dsmith on Mar 7, 2017 1:24:56 GMT -5
Yikes. Not what I wanted to hear, but an honest answer, which I appreciate. Our under awning space is one of our most used areas while camping. I may have to try to figure something out.
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abs
Weekender RV’er
Posts: 65 
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Post by abs on Mar 7, 2017 7:46:10 GMT -5
I have the electric awning, and have never had any problems, and really like it. I do roll it up if its going to storm. I would like to install the auto roll up option. The only problem I worry about is when the motor quits. I'm sure eventually it will. I will have to deal with that when it happens. For now I would buy another one.
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Post by johnr on Mar 7, 2017 8:43:54 GMT -5
A dealer I talked to insisted that the auto roll up option was the worst thing ever. He said that were too conservative and would roll up when it wasn't warranted.
I personally like my electric awning, but I don't leave it down when we're not there or if we're getting weather. My father-in-law did create some tie-downs for his electric awning, but something about it bugs me. I can't put my finger on it. With my luck, I'd forget I had the tie downs on and then try to roll it up and break something.
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Post by dsmith on Mar 7, 2017 10:57:51 GMT -5
Thanks for the responses. Maybe the awning won't move around as much as I think it will. In any case, I might pick up a Camco awning tie down kit just in case. At least that kit uses springs so it might be less jarring for the awning should we get a gust or two of wind, as opposed to something that just brings the awning movement to a dead stop with no flex at all.
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Post by johnr on Mar 7, 2017 12:48:30 GMT -5
Yes, that's when you end up with bent awning pieces.
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k0vwa
Newbie RV’er
Posts: 47
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Post by k0vwa on Mar 7, 2017 13:12:42 GMT -5
Wind power can apply much force when spread over the square footage of an awning. Our E196S has a manual awning. Wind was up a bit one trip so I detached the supports from the trailer and anchored them into the ground. Next gust of wind broke the front top awning mount. To me it seemed a pretty substantial piece of cast aluminum but it cracked in a heart beat. If the wind is going to be over 10mph or so I'll retract the awning. Good luck!
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Post by Chuck on Mar 7, 2017 20:29:36 GMT -5
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Post by dsmith on Mar 7, 2017 21:56:51 GMT -5
Thanks for the input everone! It is much appreciated. I will be checking out those awning hold downs from the link provided as well.
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Post by Edd505 on Mar 15, 2017 18:38:07 GMT -5
Use a five gallon bucket full of water, run a rope/cord to just above the bucket with a loop in the end, attach the two parts with a bungee cord of the appropriate length. One for each end.
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Post by shogunles on Mar 31, 2017 14:57:55 GMT -5
This is what I use. Especially at the beach.
Camco 42013 Power Hook Awning Tensioner
Just note that the screw in stakes do not come with it. You can find them on Amazon as well. Regular tent stakes will just pull out of the ground. I went with this one because the part that fits to the roller is contoured to the roller with part of it 'locking' into the channel in the roller. IMOP it works real well. As a rule of thumb, if I am away from my fiver for an extended period, I put the awning in.
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Post by Chuck on Mar 31, 2017 20:13:03 GMT -5
I as well put my awning in if I am gone for a extended period of time or the wind get over 10mph
Chuck
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Post by johnr on Apr 3, 2017 6:44:05 GMT -5
That Camco tensioner looks similar to what my FIL made. His hooks into the awning slide, but he does it the opposite way, away from the RV instead of toward it. He can also grab ahold of his awning arm and pull it down to connect his hook, some kind of rain dump system built into it? On mine, it's all fixed and I would need a step ladder (or picnic table) to be able to get high enough to hook it.
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Post by Chuck on Apr 3, 2017 12:02:40 GMT -5
Like you johnr I'd have to have a ladder or pinic table to stand on to hook anything to the awning. I guess I now know why people carry ladders on the back of their RV's lol, never could fight that one out now I know  Chuck |
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Post by dsmith on Apr 3, 2017 12:42:34 GMT -5
Our awning is also easily adjustable by hand, so we can pull it down to attach any straps that we need. This is the kit that we went with, I'm hoping it will do the job. The dealership told me the awning should be viewed as a sun shade, and rolled in when there is rain. Unfortunately, we are used to using our awning to keep things dry. I guess we will see how it goes... www.camco.net/product/awning-stabilizer-kit-wtension-strap-10639/Picked up the trailer on Saturday. Quite a step up from the old expandable. Looking forward to this summer. |
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Post by Chuck on Apr 3, 2017 13:06:46 GMT -5
dsmith One of the problems I have as well as johnr an others is our awnings are over 11' off the ground, when rolled out closer to 12' ... I guess I could pull on the supports possible to hook up a hold down since there is a hydraulic type of ram for rain weight ...don't know  |
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Post by dsmith on Apr 3, 2017 16:17:03 GMT -5
dsmith One of the problems I have as well as johnr an others is our awnings are over 11' off the ground, when rolled out closer to 12' ... I guess I could pull on the supports possible to hook up a hold down since there is a hydraulic type of ram for rain weight ...don't know yep...I have a friend whose awning is the same. He uses a ladder to attach straps. Ours can be pulled down easily by pulling down on the support arms (almost too easily, as I think wind would pick it up just as easily). I guess I will really have to pay attention to the awning until I have a better idea how the wind affects it. Never really had to worry about it much with our old manual awning, unless it got really windy. |
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Post by johnr on Apr 4, 2017 7:37:58 GMT -5
The issue with requiring a ladder to hook the straps on is that in case of a weather emergency, you're not going to be able to get that awning up quickly. I don't know about you all, but I've run outside in weather (even in the middle of the night) to take care of mine and neighbors awnings to prevent damage.
There was one time that stands out in my mind. Woke up in the middle of the night to huge crashing sounds outside and wind and rain howling like the dickens. Ran outside in whatever I was wearing and removed the awning straps and the awning started taking off. Two other guys in the group came out about that time and ran over to help me secure the awning. It took 3 of us working together to get all of the awnings up, two were holding the arms down while the third was removing the straps and trying to control the roll up. We ran from camper to camper and were completely soaked and covered in mud at 3am... some of us may have been in just underwear and a t-shirt. I would not want to have to try to find a ladder in a situation like that to get high enough to get that strap off. We did lose 1 awning that night where the tube just bent in half before we got to it.
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Post by shogunles on Apr 4, 2017 10:53:55 GMT -5
I am all about convenience and fitment in my never ending old age! I bought the folding 6' A frame ladder from CW. It is a bit over $110. However, it is one of those tools I could not be without as I am always using it. It folds like a scissor if you will. The length I the only thing you have to contend with. I am sure you could find it cheaper. Just using the CW add as reference. www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/regal-folding-aluminum-single-sided-stik-ladder-6/85200Also, to the question that it will take some time to take down the straps in the case of sudden weather. You can, in a pinch, disconnect the straps from the tensioner, closer to the ground, and roll the straps up on the outside portion of the roller of the awning. I would only use this method in the case of sudden weather. The other option is to be neurotic like me and check the weather reports of the day a night and be proactive with the awning. |
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