Weighted awning strap - Montana Owners Club

DonandBonnie · 02-09-2014, 02:23 AM

We just saw an interesting awning tie down strap on a rig where we were camping in Florida. Instead of using a ground screw to secure the awning tie down strap, these folks used a weight made of PVC pipe.

Picture a piece 3ft. piece of 4" PVC with top and bottom end caps. The top end cap had an eye attached so that the strap from the awning could be attached. The pipe was filled with something to weight it down and was hung vertically from each end of the awning. It touched the ground so that the awning did not support the full weight and so that it didn't swing in the breeze. It appeared that the contents, probably water, could be emptied out for travel.

I like the concept, particularly when you can't use the ground screw in hard ground. I have reservations whether the awning could or should support the weight. Any thoughts?

**DQDick** · 02-09-2014, 03:27 AM

Saw a couple at a campground in Indiana last fall using a similar devise and they used water to provide the weight.

Sheepdog · 02-09-2014, 04:30 AM

Wonder what it would do if a 40mph gust hit the awning and sent the weights flying?

1retired06 · 02-09-2014, 06:24 AM

Having messed up two awning tubes over the years tying them down, now that I have the electric awning, I stay away from any tie-downs.

WaltBennett · 02-09-2014, 07:49 AM

I used the screw in the ground kind on a manual awning when I was full timing. That worked very well for me, but I really don't think I'd even attempt to use anything on an electric one. The frame's just not that sturdy.

WeBeFulltime · 02-09-2014, 10:22 AM

I have been using a similar device for 5 years. Filled mine with pea gravel. Works great.

bncinwv · 02-09-2014, 10:53 AM

We have always used the screw-in type with a spring on the end. I use two on each corner at a 90 degree angle from each other. Have used this method on the older style non-electric awning and the newer style electric ones. Never lost an awning yet (I suppose I should knock on wood?), however I will state that in addition to the tie-down method, I also observe the spring, if it travels an inch or so, the awning is unhooked and retracted. Based on weather observations, this usually happens with gusts that are above 30 mph. As always, not a recommendation, just stating the method we have always successfully used.
Bingo

**Rondo** · 02-09-2014, 12:03 PM

Since we do not have a newer Monte(2004) and we do not have an electric awning, we use tie downs for the awning(somewhat). What we use is either a five gallon bucket on each end of the awning with a 6 foot bungie cord attached to the awning at the shaft on each end and onto the handle of the bucket. We fill the buckets about 3/4 full of water. OR we use three or four gallon milk jugs filled with water attached to the bungie cord on the ground end. If the wind comes up some the bungie cord stretches and holds the awning in place. We do this unless the winds come up relatively strong then the bungie is disconnected from the awning end and the awning is rolled up. We never leave the awning out when we leave for any time.

MDL · 02-09-2014, 02:15 PM

Others seem to have good luck using this method. I've seen this used a lot a street fairs and outdoor shows with vendors. They typically use them on the pop-up canopies, one on each leg. I just get nervous if the wind comes up getting them off quickly to retract the awing. If you have a wind sensor for auto retraction, that could also cause issues using the PVC tubes.

DonandBonnie · 02-10-2014, 10:55 AM

Great comments! First of all, We wouldn't leave the awning extended in any kind of wind. We are troubled at what kind of dynamics could occur if a little too much weight is suspended from the awning or if a breeze would start some type of movement. The ground screw and spring seem to be the ideal arrangement but we've been in a number of campgrounds with ground too hard to use them. The 5 gallon bucket with water appears to be an excellent alternative with the same tie down and spring as would be attached to the screw. I would want to keep a close eye on the wire bail to watch that it doesn't pull out of the plastic bucket.

bncinwv · 02-10-2014, 02:21 PM

Something that I just remembered. The electric awnings will collapse downward in heavy winds. We were fortunate to not suffer damage, but one time in Ohio we were subjected to high winds when we were away from the rig (a reminder to retract awning at all times when away from the rig). The awning was tied down, but when we returned, the awning was down to about a 45 degree angle from the rig. When I tie the awning down, I only put light downward pressure on the awning. We returned to find the straps had evidently prevented the awning from billowing upward, but apparently the winds pushed it down to where the roller was about three feet off of the ground. If the water weights were placed on the ground, they should work, if there is weight applied to the awning, I would think the same thing would occur. I remember reading somewhere that this "collapse" function is built into the electric awnings. It would be nice if a fellow MOCer could confirm this so I know that (as usual) my memory is not completely failing me.
Bingo

JandC · 02-10-2014, 04:21 PM

We always drop ours if the wind gets up toward 30 like others have mentioned. When the awning is out usually our screen is attached and fastened with three bungies which are hooked into ground screws. The bungies provide some "give" and will allow the awning to move slightly without pulling on it too much. I like the set up because if a storm blows in I can drop the three bungies and pull the screen out in about a minute prior to rolling the awning back in. But if you were not using a privacy screen the PVC method would be a pretty good way to help secure the awning better.

jfaberna · 02-10-2014, 11:50 PM

So during PDI the tech said that our electric awning would close in high wind. Where is the sensor? They said the same thing about the Fantastic fan, but I don't see any windmills up there.

bncinwv · 02-11-2014, 01:38 AM

The fantastic fan will close in rain, never heard of it closing in high wind? Not all awnings have the wind sensor (ours does not), perhaps you can find the location in the owner's manual or at their website?
Bingo

Champ_49 · 02-11-2014, 05:38 AM

I use 2 gal. jugs and fill with water and attach to awning with a strap at each end. Works very well on the power awnings and the best part is when you move all you have is an empty jug! Just take up the slack is all I do on the straps.

Dave

**Rondo** · 02-11-2014, 08:07 AM

Dave if you go to some of the larger flea markets down south and also up north, like Shipshewana, IN, you can pick up the 6 ft bungie cords with hooks on each end and hook one end on the awning and loop the bungie through the handles on the milk jugs and hook it to itself you can make quick disconnecting very easy. When the wind does come up and the awning starts to bounce a little the bungie cord stretches. When it lifts the milk jugs off the ground it is time to retract the awning!

jfaberna · 02-11-2014, 12:40 PM

Maybe the PDI tech was smoking something. I can't find a thing about high wind sensors on my 3302RL.

Champ_49 · 02-13-2014, 12:15 AM

I agree Ron, when the jugs start moving its time to bring the awning in. I have been looking for the right bungee cords also. I'll find them when I am in the right place. That is if I remember when I'm there. Wow, that's a lot to remember lol

Dave

Trailer Trash 2 · 02-17-2014, 09:14 AM

does anybody have a picture of this weighted awning strap attached to the awning so I can see it better in my mind.

Thanks

DonandBonnie · 02-17-2014, 12:46 PM

Don't have a photo, but picture one of those PVC pipe containers that mounts under the trailer for hauling your sewer hose. Drill a hole in one of the end caps for attaching a screw eye. Turn it up vertically and attach one to each end of your awning with a bungee cord, rope or whatever so that it remains vertical yet the opposite end from the screw eye sits on the ground. Fill it with water and that's all there is to it. After reading through these posts, what I've described is far more complicated than doing the same thing with milk bottles. As an aside there is a camper in our current park who has his TV dish tripod weighed down with three milk bottles of water. I'm going to watch it to see how it works if the wind picks up.

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