Awning Tie-Downs

[moutard2]

The horse is out of the barn since I've just purchased the Hold-Awn Awning Tie-Down System and then decided to ask the questions. Are these things a good idea; do they work or am I setting myself up for a new awning when my existing one shreds in a breeze?

[Exnavydiver]

If you have an electric awning I would hesitate to do a hard tie down. they will automatically dump water when it rains unlike the older mechanical ones. They will take a small amount of wind without breaking and can slam into the side of the rig in a big gust without wrecking everything. I have the Carefree-of-Colorade electric awning, I saw the setup I use in Keywest on a Class A. I take two swim noodles and a cheap hank of rope, and 2 bungees and 2 five gallon buckets. I run the rope through the noodles. Then I hang a noodle over each end of the awning at the very end of the arm, this keeps the rope from contacting the awning material and still holds everything down. I then tie a loop on each end of the rope about 3 ft from the ground and attach a bungee to each loop and the bail of each bucket which are by the way half full of water. These have stood up to 40 mph winds. When a bucket starts to bounce it is time to reach up and slip the noodle off the end of the awning and roll it up till things calm down. If you are coming to the rally in Sept. look me up and see my setup. But I would avoid a hard attachment to the ground with an electric awning...

[bncinwv]

We tie our electric awning down all of the time. We use the tie down straps in conjunction with springs at the end connected to the ground stakes which are the type that corkscrew into the ground. My own criteria, is if the springs start to exhibit about an inch of tension, then the awning comes in. We have used this method at Myrtle for years with good results in up to 25 mph winds before having to retract. We loop the straps at the end of the roller bar and angle the straps away from the awning. It works for us and this process is provided just to tell what experience we have.
Bingo

[richfaa]

We got the electric awning because of the ease involved in going up and down. If the wind comes up we just push a switch and up goes the awning. When we leave for a period of time push switch, awning up, return push switch, awning down. Tie downs , straps, etc get in the way of doing that quickly. At any hint of anything that might do damage to the awning.. push switch, awning up.

[1retired06]

Having experienced two bent awning rollers over the years, we opt to not tie down, and push a button instead.

[bethandkevin]

quote:Originally posted by richfaa

We got the electric awning because of the ease involved in going up and down. If the wind comes up we just push a switch and up goes the awning. When we leave for a period of time push switch, awning up, return push switch, awning down. Tie downs , straps, etc get in the way of doing that quickly. At any hint of anything that might do damage to the awning.. push switch, awning up.

I like Rich's plan.

[DQDick]

We also don't tie down. Too much risk and too little reward.

[mobil]

We do the same as Bingo.

[PackerFan]

We don't tie down either. With the electric awning it is just way too easy to just push the button and raise it up if we are not sure of the wind. When we leave the awning is always rolled up first. Never know what may come up while you are away from the rig.

[richfaa]

we have seen over the years the awning tie down still secure after a big storm and wind but the awning torn off at the camper rails. The awning is really a huge sail and when a good wind gets under it something is going to give.IMO the electric awning solved that problem.

[Steve and Susie]

I have never had electric automatic awnings and I use trampoline springs on my tie downs. I think the whole thing stems from just plain common sense. If a storm is imminent, get out there and put the awning in, how tuff is that. I think too many people get so used to luxuries they forget we live in RV's. Looks like not many could ever survive back in the good ole tent days--hahahaha. That is where we came from, somewhere back there. Happy Trails, Steve and Susie

[JandC]

Being full time we are constantly watching the forcast. If a storm is coming or the winds are picking up the awning gets put in. If we are going to be away from our Monte for several hours we punch it in just in case. No tie downs here.

[Clemson1881]

Perhaps there is some misunderstanding of the term "tie down" versus what is the true intention which is stabilization. If you camp on the coast and do not use some form of tie downs you will not use your awning very much. Winds routinely blow at 15 mph plus as the norm. The awning will rock, shake, and bounce to no end in these conditions. Now, to tie down the awning and leave it unattended is another matter. I don't do it and do not advise it anywhere. Especially near the coast. So a quick, easy, and solid tie down method is the best bet in these conditions. 95 degrees with 75% plus humidity and the sun blazing down on you makes the awning very desirable when the wind is blowing constantly at 15-30 mph most of the time. We never leave the awning out unattended. We too pop off the straps, push the button, and roll it in.

[vangoes]

Well stated Clemson1881......that's my process also.

[WeBeFulltime]

We do the same as Clemson1881 and also add springs to the tie down straps for limited expansion.