Blocking Rain

[muddflapp]

We have a 3400 and our awning just comes to the edge of the door. So far, everytime we have parked, the rain manages to blow in from the rear and hit the steps and door. Has anyone made any kind of improvemt to their awnings or any other way of blocking the rain from the entry way to the Monty. I know I will come up with something but, I am just currious if anyone else has already made any kind of improvement that I might want to copy.

[stiles watson]

This was discussed a year or so ago, but I don't think a solution was found. I had the same problem on the 2003 3670RL and continue to have the same on the 2008 340RL. We keep our collapsible trash can tethered to the steps on that side and it catches water too. I will be watching for a good solution.

[sreigle]

I remember there was a discussion about this a year or two ago. I don't recall the exact reasoning but there was a reason why it doesn't extend further. I think it was because of the location of the dining slide and the grab bar next to the steps. There was no room for the awning arms.

That doesn't answer your question as to how to deal with it, though. We've lived fulltime in this 3400 since we took delivery on 8/29/06. We've been in lots of rain and haven't really found it to be much of a problem. Generally when it's raining and we go out we also have to get to the truck. So we use an umbrella or maybe just hold something over our head, depending on the density of the rain.

Like Stiles, we keep a round tub tethered next to the door. We put our trash bags in there until ready to take them to the dumpster. In our case, with the dining room slide right there we can keep the tub out of the rain. Except, of course, when the wind blows the tub out from under the slide. I drilled a few holes in the bottom of that tub so the water can drain out.

I know this doesn't help much. We've not found any other "solution." If someone has one, I'm all ears.

[rvfirefighter]

I have made a temporary rain shield that I clamp on to the upper awning brace. I made it from some PVC pipe and white tarp material. I use a spring clamp to attach it so I can remove it quickly. It extends over the top of the slide topper and the awning. I also have a support made to go under the slide topper to direct the water away from the door. It works okay, it is a prototype I made 8 months ago.

[muddflapp]

David, if you have a picture of your prototype, I would be very interested in seeing it. I thought about using some velcro strips attached to the inside of the awning arms and then attaching some kind of material to it also using velcro strips.

[rvfirefighter]

Muddflapp, I'll put some together this week and PM the pictures to you. I don't have any pictures at this time.

[Glenn and Lorraine]

David, I am also interested and if you PM those pics to me as well I'll put them in this thread for you and add them to the Show and Tell page.

[H. John Kohl]

Dave, we are also interested in the photos. That is the big complaint my wife has with the 3295. The awning does not cover the door.
Thanks,
Cheers,

[MikeM]

Looks like we've struck the mother lode with this thread. This is also one of my wife's pet peeves, so I would be interested as well.

[Native Tex]

We are looking for this same solution. I hope to see pictures as well.

[dsprik]

I believe that was my thread about a year ago or so(???) I still haven't found a solution and I DEFINITELY would like pics, David.

[rvfirefighter]

I just emailed pictures to Glenn, he is going to post them for me. I have a problem posting pictures on the forum.

I hope they come out clear enough. If not we will try again.

[Glenn and Lorraine]

They came out fine David. All I did was edit them down to a more reasonable size.
I created a page for them at...
MOCer rvfirefighter's Show & Tell

If need be, You can explain the photos.

[H. John Kohl]

Great idea, great pictures, why didn't I think of that.
Do you mind giving estimates on the dimensions. Monty is parked right now.

[dsprik]

Looks great, David!

[muddflapp]

Smart idea David. Just one question, how does that thing fly, I mean hold up with any kind of wind. Do you only put it up when its raining or do you put it up everytime you park and put up your awning?

[rvfirefighter]

I put it up if I am going to leave the awning out for awhile and if I tie the awning down. I haven't had a problem with the wind blowing it around yet. If it looks like it might storm I usually put the awning up. It is easy to take down, that is one thing I wanted was something to remove easy.
I also have a slide topper support to keep the rain from pouring down next to the door.

[Dave Nowlin]

Vern Rising of Rising Shades builds an awning extension to create shade at the end of your awning he also makes another piece which can be attached to block off the end. We just came back from Gulf Shores where we had a good bit of rain. That end shade didn't totally stop all rain from the end but considerably diminished it. In order for rain to pass through the porous shade material it is diffused into a mist. I am happy with the way it works and it also matches the shade on the end. I comes down toward the ground on the side of the grab handle away from the door.

Dave Nowlin