Awning noise - Montana Owners Club

McIver · 10-17-2012, 04:45 PM

I know that this has been addressed before but I need to know how to stop or at least minimize the creaking from my new awnings. It is only moderately windy out tonight and the noise is excessive.If one is to use a beach ball how is it extracted when needed? Are there other methods?

bncinwv · 10-17-2012, 04:50 PM

I remember previous postings that included beach balls under the awning, long bungee type cords to slightly pull it down, and lastly, some posts that detailed a pvc type frame that was inserted under the ends of the awning. Those are all I can remember, but anything to add weight or make the awning taut should work.
Bingo

McIver · 10-17-2012, 04:52 PM

How can a beach ball be extracted once placed? Seems inefficient to me.

c214dick · 10-17-2012, 05:49 PM

Get used to the noise. We had slide toppers on our previous SOB as well as our Montana. I think there is an adjustment to tighten them up but we got used to it and don't even notice it.

WeBeFulltime · 10-18-2012, 01:41 AM

I don't know the level of wind required to make them noisy, but we have been in some rather brisk winds and never heard anything from our slide out awnings. Just lucky?

bncinwv · 10-18-2012, 01:54 AM

Like others, I have never found the need to do anything to the slide awnings. I would assume that the beach ball approach would require either a ladder or getting on the roof to place and remove the beach ball. I don't believe the beach ball would have to be centered on the awning, just placed on the end of the slide to put enough force on the awning to take the slack out of it.
Bingo

1retired06 · 10-18-2012, 02:01 AM

There is simply noise when windy. Any kind of strapping will speed up deterioration and tearing. Some put supports (balls, etc) under the awings so they do not sag in the rain, but even then you have to be careful and not stretch the material.

1retired06 · 10-18-2012, 02:15 AM

Second thought, the awing tension may need to be adjusted. If loose when open, tension needs to be increased. That should help with the noise. When the wind is really bad, you can close the slideouts partially to reduce flapping.

**DQDick** · 10-18-2012, 04:15 AM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by 1retired06

Second thought, the awing tension may need to be adjusted. If loose when open, tension needs to be increased. That should help with the noise. When the wind is really bad, you can close the slideouts partially to reduce flapping.

Out here in NM or AZ doing that will drastically increase the amount of sand and dust that gets in the rig and more than enough gets in now. Some things are just easier to learn to live with.

McIver · 10-18-2012, 04:16 AM

As I responded to 1retired06 in a private message neither my wife nor I got any sleep last night in what I consider moderate winds for here in NM. Can anyone tell me how to adjust the tension as that is the first thing I need to adjust? If that does not work I would rather trash the awnings than spend another night like last night.

McIver · 10-18-2012, 04:25 AM

The brand is A & E. Does anyone who has has no ratling in winds have that brand?

dieselguy · 10-18-2012, 07:25 AM

I installed the A&E awnings on my last Montana ... I live in Kansas ... it's most always windy and they most always "flapped". The flapping was irritating, that's why I opted not to go with slide toppers on my 3150.I got to where I tried parking in a north south direction as that was inline with most of the summer winds. Are you talking about a flapping noise or a creaking noise as in a dry storm door creaking to a close? Some just don't hear things in that noise decible range anymore. I don't specifically recall, but adjusting the tension isn't as easy as simply winding a spring. You either have to remove one of the slide topper arms on the slide itself to wind up the spring or you can remove the entire fabric off the side and put one more roll on the topper tube. Either way, the spring is a brute. You really need the manual, go online to follow the procedure, or have the dealer take care of it. One warning on adding tension ... too much will cause the slide to slightly hang at the top while extending or retracting. In answer to the soccer ball removal ... some attach a length of rope to pull it out ... you still have to have some sort of ladder to get the thing under the topper. Some just run a bungee cord around the fabric and entire slide that has to be taken on and off ... seems kinda counter productive to having the "automatic" slide toppers.

McIver · 10-19-2012, 05:13 AM

Update: As part of the A&E awnings I have installed, at the attachment point to the trailer, there is a metal, louvered type cover which protects it when rolled up. It seems like that is the source of the noise. I have looked at other units here in the campground and they do not have that metal cover. Fortunately, last night, the winds were calm and I was not driven to go up there with my knife to solve the problem once and for all. The installer tells me that they have to be detached in order to adjust the tension.

navybanker · 10-19-2012, 07:05 AM

I tried all the suggested remedies on my SOB. None worked for me. Purchased the Montana and didn't go for the toppers! A month in Corpus Christi was all it took on the SOB.

c214dick · 10-19-2012, 04:25 PM

Our toppers did not have the enclosed typ you describe. Maybe that's the difference?

McIver · 10-25-2012, 03:17 PM

I have the installer talking to A&E about the noise and specifically about the covers (the source of the noise). The covers are upgrades designed to protect the fabric at it's weakest point... attached to the trailer. It pushes water off the roll and protects from sun. I told him to mention how unhappy I was and that I would ruin their reputation on this web site if they did not come up with a fix for this faulty product. Just removing the covers will not solve the problem without significant cost because there is not enough fabric to make up the for the cover size.
Will keep you advised.

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