Awning Security While Travelling

[Virgil]

After seeing awnings come loose on the road on other campers, I often wished there was some easy way to give a little extra security to an awning and assembly while on the road. I have been putting a long white cable tie on each awning arm about 1/2 way up the arm and pulling it tight. I then trim off the excess. When I want to deploy the awning I simply cut the cable tie and install a new one before I hit the road again. I am not sure how effective this really is but just the extra little security sure makes the trip a little less stressfull, especially in high wind.

Happy Trails

[Trailer Trash 2]

I have had now problems with any awnings in the 30 years of trailering with all kinds of A&E products, even with the awning that did not have the flip switch, the only reason that I can see an awning opening on the road is that it was put away inproperly and the flip switch was in the wrong position, and then it will unravel. even if you were to tie the arms down it will still will unravel.

TT2

[faeb and genb]

I agree with Don I have never had any problems with my awnings whatsoever.
Gene

[Northstar]

Thanks for the post. Something to ponder. Happy rving...

[Virgil]

It has never happened to me either but I will still put the ties on, just in case.

[Montana_655]

quote:Originally posted by Northstar

Thanks for the post. Something to ponder. Happy rving...

Yes Northstar, definately worth a ponder. Happy rving to you too...

[NJ Hillbilly]

I would think the cable tie method has some merit since that's the way shipping companies and mfg's prep awnings for travel.

I have seen a slide bolt that goes from the arm to the tube so it cannot turn. I believe it was in the back of Trailer Life.

John

[Montana_621]

We have a piece of velcro that you can get at any office supply store to tie cords up (one side has the ruff side, the other has the soft side) and we wrap one around each arm to keep it from rattling going down the road. They work great and are only a couple bucks, plus you can reuse them.

[RonS]

I put the awning rod into the strap hole in the back of the roller, then put the rod behind the awning support bar and a bundgee cord on the awning rod down to the bottom of the support bar and a valcrow strap around the support and awning bar. Works for me. If anyone is interested I would email them a picture. Last summer I lost the awning and the side support bars never opened, it was properly rolled and secured. But caught some strong side wind and it unrolled and flipped over the coach and ripped off. I found the above solution on another forum and I do think it works and only takes a few seconds to hook up. At various RV ralleys I have seen similar set ups for sale which prevents the roller from moving, this one does the same thing and I had everything needed on hand. This happened to me before I upgraded to a 5th wheel from a class A. Ron

[Montana_1280]

There is always the first time, but never had a problem with awnings coming undone in travel. Am always careful to be sure and secure properly even if only due to a storm. My guess is in the case where they came loose, the stowing procedure was improper done or the hardware failed.

[sreigle]

We use the velcro straps on the arms but I'm not sure I'm solving the potential problem with that. The two awnings I've seen in trouble on the road unrolled from the tube and billowed into the wind. The arms were still in travel position. I suppose without the straps a billowing awning might pull the arms into the down position causing some even more serious problems. If anyone knows how to stop the potential unrolling, I'm all ears. Thanks.