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Old 10-10-2018, 10:24 PM   #1
JohnG
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Newbie awning questions

We live in our 337RET about 3 nights a week as a work commute solution. Therefore, our 5’er is stationary with the slide outs extended full time. I have two questions about the awnings. First of all, is the big power awning strong enough to leave extended in the rain? How about if there’s wind? What are the general guidelines?

Second, when the awnings get old (sun torched for the most part) are they easily replaced? Is this a DIY project or is a professional required? They are not shot yet but it’s only a matter of time.

Thanks in advance for your help.
 
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Old 10-10-2018, 11:27 PM   #2
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John,

We do not leave our awnings out overnight or when we leave the rig. They will handle rain with no issue but wind can do damage and you can never be sure you will not get a big gust. They do a lot better if they are tied down which is a reasonable option if you want to leave them out.

The awning are not particularly hard to replace. You can do it yourself or the labor is not particularly high if you pay someone to do it.
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Old 10-11-2018, 03:52 AM   #3
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I'd keep it in if you are away.
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Old 10-11-2018, 03:58 AM   #4
Loneoak
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DH takes it in if there is the slightest breeze. The older type of awnings were a lot more stable, abeit more difficult to put in and out. These electric awnings are pretty flimsy.
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Old 10-11-2018, 05:58 AM   #5
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Most awning on fifth wheels have enough pitch to allow water to run off without pooling. Some travel trailer awnings do not have enough picth and will collect water if not tilted to allow the water to run off.

As far as wind goes, as mentioned, the older manual style awnings can take much more wind because they are anchored down with arms toward the bottom of the camper.

Depending on where your unit is sitting would determine weather the awning could be left open. Example; Is it in the woods somewhat protected from the wind by the surrounding trees or is it out in the open with no protection.

Most of the time I camp in the woods my awnings can be left out even in strong storms since the wind mainly stays aloft. If camping, say at the beach, you must keep an eye on the weather for changing conditions and act accordingly. When at the beach we NEVER leave it open at night or when we are not near the camper
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Old 10-11-2018, 07:23 AM   #6
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We never leave the awning out when gone. Learned that the hard way with our 2002 unit. Several years ago, I replaced an 18 foot awning with a better material, paid around $350 if I remember correctly, my neighbor and I installed in a couple of hours, no brainer except for tube tension which we did have to adjust even though we had locked in place.
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Old 10-11-2018, 12:47 PM   #7
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i leave mine out for extended stays and use tie down anchors, the corkscrew and rope/hook style, bought them 20yrs ago and have never had a damaged awning.

Note: if storms or snow are coming, I retract it.
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Old 10-11-2018, 01:21 PM   #8
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Long story short, we take ours in when we are not using it. You could probably change one yourself, but bear in mind that they are big and clumsy, amd there is quite a bit of spring tension involved. As I get older, my favorite tool is a checkbook, but I would let the pros do it.
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Old 10-11-2018, 03:45 PM   #9
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Old style manual awning. We never leave with the awning out and seldom leave it out at night. I have learned someone more powerful than me controls the wind gust. You only have to mis-guess it once. Too many nights going out in the wind and rain to retract it have made me more proactive. It serves no purpose to leave it out when you are not there to enjoy the benefits of it. Less time it is out less sun damage.
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Old 10-12-2018, 11:55 PM   #10
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Originally Posted by scattershot View Post
as i get older, my favorite tool is a checkbook, but i would let the pros do it.
exactly!
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Old 10-13-2018, 06:49 AM   #11
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Hi

We never lave our Montana with the Awning out. We also never leave the trailer for more than a day unattended with the rooms our.

I learned this the hard way I also used the trailer on contract jobs where I had a 100 mile or more commute and always closed the trailer up including the rooms before leaving for home.

Sometimes I was on these jobs for 2 to 4 years. We purchased the Montana in the middle of one of the long jobs but did use it at least once a month.

When I retired I started doing consulting and the let us is travel the U.S. and got paid for all expenses.

This resulted in putting 100,000 miles on the Montana and got paid for all of them.

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Old 10-13-2018, 07:10 AM   #12
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We live full time for 5 years and when we leave for long periods we pull in the awning. (Electric type) we DO NOT use hold downs or lock the arms as the awning does better in that quick gust of wind when the arms are allowed to move and fabric is allowed to flex. as for replacement her in florida you need new every 2 to 3 years and its easily replaced with help from min 3 people and a couple of ladders.
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Old 10-13-2018, 06:15 PM   #13
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There are several videos on Youtube. I just bought a replacement and will install it on Monday or Tuesday when I pick up the trailer from storage. Most people say it takes a couple of hours.
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Old 10-14-2018, 05:48 AM   #14
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Originally Posted by h2ojocky View Post
There are several videos on Youtube. I just bought a replacement and will install it on Monday or Tuesday when I pick up the trailer from storage. Most people say it takes a couple of hours.

Hi

Follow the instructions very closely and that locking pin is very important without it you can get seriously injured.

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Old 10-14-2018, 08:17 AM   #15
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I was once told by a service manager that the awning was for shade only. You don't need shade at night, and you don't need shade if you are not at the RV.
Glean from that what you will.
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Old 10-14-2018, 09:17 AM   #16
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On my 375FL one of the awning arms got a slight bend in it... don't know for sure how, other than from rain puddle before it self tipped to dump it
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Old 10-14-2018, 05:04 PM   #17
beeje
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Most newer fifth wheels awnings are mounted very high with sufficient pitch so that they do not have to be tilted for water to run off. Self dumping unusually is referred to awnings on a travel trailer with a pitch that is much less, which may collect water and dump. I know my Montana's awning will shed water in the heaviest of rain and not collect it.
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