Electic awning

[hoserwv]

Just took delivery of our new Montana 3720LE. Heading to the beach next week. Ive always had a manual awning and tied it down. Ive heard that's a nono with electric awnings. Does anyone tie theirs down? Also the auto leveling, do you put pads down under leveling feet? Thanks for any info.

[1retired06]

We never tie ours down. I have found it best to put pads under the leveler feet.

[DQDick]

Same for us.

[stengels]

X2 with Mike. A couple of 2X10 boards cut 9", glued and screwed makes for a great pad and keeps your shafts to a good extension range. You can make 6 for your level up for $30 or less.

The awning hugs the rig nicely.

[DmaxDually]

I normally don't tie mine down when I set up my campsite but if the winds kick up and I see my awning starting to move I'll secure it.

On the suggestion of another MOC member I went to Tractor Supply and bought a 4'X 6' rubber horse stall mat and cut it into 12" X 12" squares and use them under my stabilizers and jacks as needed. They've worked good for me so far. It's a heavy rubber mat 3/4" thick so it's a little hard to cut through. They won't crack or get water soaked if it rains and they are sitting in a puddle. They are easy to store.

[Mark N.]

I never tie my awning down. if there's enough wind to warrant that, I just bring it in until the threat is gone. I also never put anything under my leveling pads, unless I need extra reach to level. I sorta like the idea of the trailer being electrically grounded through the 6 metal pads in direct contact with the ground as well as the power cord. The exception is home on my own concrete because of the inevitable rust stains they leave.

[JandC]

I use pads under my level-up. I guess more to keep the level-up bottom feet cleaner than anything else.

If we are in one spot for several days or more, and it is not windy, we slide a privacy screen into our awning track. The screen is then slanted out away from the awning slightly and secured with short bungie cords and tent stakes. So I guess that would be considered tying it down.

[bullroc3]

Well I guess that we are not the norm. We DO tie ours down especially in windy areas. It stops the banging especially overnight. We extend it as far as we want it making sure that the water will run off, then tighten the black knobs on the arms. I run the corkscrew anchors into the ground and attach ratchet straps to them and the arms. It makes a good fix.

We do not normally use anything under the pads. The only time I have used anything is when I thought that the auto-level would might run out of leg I think that occurred only once.

[bncinwv]

I must be the odd ball out here, I tie my awning down in locations that are windy (like the beach) and the only time I use any kind of pads under the jacks is when I am on soft ground (again, like the beach). With all that said, my tie downs are the type that have the large springs on the ends, when I can see those springs extend for an inch or so, I do bring the awning in. In addition, if I know the forecast calls for storms or winds greater than 20 mph, I do bring the awning in when we leave the rig. And congrats on the new rig from a fellow 'eer!!
Bingo

[pineranch]

This turned into "driving with propane" or "walking on top of slides" discussion. It boils down to each there own. We use the dual track and install lights and a privacy screen which is secured as mentioned before. In 5 years, no problems. When on one night stays, we never leave awning out. Kansas & Texas stops, never as the wind doesn't blow, it sucks.
Pads, we use them when needed. On concrete no, on soft dirt/ sand, definitely. A place in Lake City, Fl required pads on their asphalt when it got hot enough to soften the stuff.
Great idea using hard rubber. Check out what others are using/doing, then go for it.
Mike

[Rondo]

We use wood blocks under our level-up feet! I've use regular 4X6's but am in the process of making new one using 1X6 treated boards. I plan on making two sizes and also about 8 of them by gluing and screwing the boards cut to 12" and crossing the boards to give more strength. I plan to make a couple of them with 2X4's cut to the same length between the 1X6's to give me a little more height. If you didn't realize it, but the shorter you extend your leveling legs the less movement you will get when inside the unit.

We also have 18" rubber "stepping stones" that are made of recycled tires. These keep the legs and/or the blocks off the dirt. I purchased them at Menards but have seen them at other hardware stores also. They also make 24" square ones that we use at the bottom of our steps outside to keep some of the dirt/sand from coming into the Monte!

In respect to tying the awning down--We do it only if we know we will be close to the unit. We really don't tie it down per say. We use two, two and a half gallon plastic jugs I've saved from my DEF, fill them with water and the attach a 6' bungy cord to the jug and use hook the other end to the awning on the ends. This still gives them some play if the wind should come up but still holds the awning down if a gust of wind should come up and I don't have to screw anything into the ground to attach the cord to

[richfaa]

If it is windy we do not extend it. It takes only the push of a rocker switch to extend or retract. We do not tie it down. If we leave for a extended period we retract it no matter what. Do what works for you.

[chris199]

Awning is nvr out when windy....dont tie it down.

Only use pads for level up is if we are on an off level site and pad doesn't reach the ground.

[jcurtis934]

When we are in florida during winter, I use two straps from the awning tube that are hooked to pad eyes that I put into the concrete patio. They form a v when hooked up and resist any kind of movement from the awning. As well, I twist in lots of turns on each strap so that the straps do not vibrate in the wind. Short of local tornado warning, awning is tied down for six months at a time or more. John

[bigskyjimmy]

We travel and winter mostly on the Coast ,with the old awnings back in the day they were a lot tougher I would tie them down but the new automatic awnings are like parachutes when the bigger winds hit,we suck them in every time and for sure when we go into town etc.. seen a few unfortnate folks had there's ripped off in high winds when they left them unattended,i tried the ole tying them down and the black knobs etc.. but it still does not help much,as far as the pads I use them only when the ground is soggy or the site is WAY uneven

[richfaa]

We have seen many awnings still with the tie downs attached and anchored to the ground but ripped off at the camper wall. In a wind of any force at all they are giant sails.

[1retired06]

quote:Originally posted by richfaa

We have seen many awnings still with the tie downs attached and anchored to the ground but ripped off at the camper wall. In a wind of any force at all they are giant sails.

Yup!!

[hoserwv]

Thanks everyone for the input. Guess I'll just play it by Eer......

[Twopetes]

Regarding the awning, I concur with previous posts - It is your call. I secure ours if we are staying more than one night. I bough a kit (Amazon - my DW's favorite store- cost about $20) that has straps, connectors, screw in anchors and springs. One set for each end. Straps are adjustable (simple pull clamp) and you can tension the strap by a little stretch on the spring. They work well. I am sure you have see the sets at camper world. We are adding the sun screen so we will see how it all works together.

PADS: I use 2X8 blocks about 12 inches long. Just because I always have. Keeps the pads clean ( ol' habits die hard!!)

Enjoy what you do and do what you enjoy!

Steve