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Old 05-01-2019, 04:08 PM   #1
BarkingCrow
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How much wind can the awning actually take?

2019 Montana HC 331RL

We're full-timing right now (working on the farm and getting a house built somewhere down the road) so we're learning as we go on pretty much everything. With the Spring weather has come evenings outside, which means the awning is out. It's a bit windy where we're at though... if a good gust comes up the awning will bounce a bit and may even drop down with the sliding rail system. I've tried to pull it down as far as it will go in the rails and lock it down with the knobs, but it pops right back up no matter how tight I get them.

How much bouncing can this thing take before it starts to damage the frame, tarp, hydraulic lifts, etc.? We obviously don't put it up if there is a storm coming or sustained winds are in the forecast, but sometimes there is nothing you can do about a few sudden bursts coming through.

Any thoughts/feedback are appreciated!

D
 
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Old 05-01-2019, 04:21 PM   #2
Sdgood1
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Having lost an awning on our old trailer, I just don't leave it open if it's windy. The old awnings you could use flap stoppers and stake it down to the ground. NO idea how they do the newer electric ones. Hopefully somebody can give you more info than me, I'm curious too.
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Old 05-01-2019, 04:33 PM   #3
daveinaz
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We also had an awning destroyed by a gust of wind. Now we don't chance it. If it starts getting too windy, we just bring it in. It's hard to say to bring it in at a particular wind speed since it's been the unpredictable gusts that do the damage, not the constant wind.
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Old 05-01-2019, 04:41 PM   #4
waynemoore
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I have a 2015 Montana with the electric awning. I do stake mine down with the spring straps sold for this purpose. I also have a sun shade on the awning as well. One that has a zipper about 3 inches from the top.

I can unzip and unstrap it in less than 5 minutes if a sudden storm comes up. And of course never leave it down when I am going to be gone for more than a couple of hours.

One problem is if left down in a moderate wind or for a long time the fabric will travel on the tube. Then I have to get out the big latter and pull the fabric back into place so it will retract properly.

Not a big problem once I found the issue thought I had somehow bent the arms but a friend clued me in.
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Old 05-01-2019, 05:04 PM   #5
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D,

Concur with Wayne. You can tie down with or without the shade.
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Old 05-01-2019, 06:16 PM   #6
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How much wind? Not very much.
Think about building a temporary porch while your house is under construction.
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Old 05-01-2019, 09:23 PM   #7
DQDick
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On our old rig I was very careful and had to replace the fabric after 7 years because it was rotting away. On the new rig I tie them down and pull them in when bad weather is expected or we're not around. If I'm going to have to replace it anyway I might as well be using it.
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Old 05-01-2019, 09:29 PM   #8
scattershot
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I would say that if it flops around enough to be annoying, it’s time to take it in.

Also, if we’re not sitting under it, we take it in. Better safe than sorry.
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Old 05-02-2019, 05:14 AM   #9
DanandBrenda
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I'm afraid to use mine if any more than light wind and put it in if not sitting under it.
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Old 05-02-2019, 05:17 AM   #10
Dave W
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As the others have said, take it in if you are expecting nasty winds or rainy weather. The flapping will be pretty intense in a wind and as we found out, a gully washer rain, regardless of tilting the roller can overcome the ability to drain. The currently supplied electric awning is nowhere as robust as the old manual awnings either.
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Old 05-02-2019, 01:44 PM   #11
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At the Rally Dometic said not to tie the new ones down. Ours is electric. we are home and it is not windy it is out. If we are not home it is in.
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Old 05-02-2019, 02:21 PM   #12
Loneoak
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Our awning is retracted most of the time. We put it out occasionally, but the least amount of flapping around and we bring it in. We are concerned with the awning pulling away from the part that is attached to the trailer. We figure it just wears on it. I joke that we are saving the awning for the next owners.
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Old 05-02-2019, 04:12 PM   #13
mazboy
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keep the awning in it you think it will be windy. there is no specific 'mph' that you need to know.


use common sense....close it if you are gone.
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Old 05-03-2019, 09:44 AM   #14
BarkingCrow
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Thanks for the replies. We always keep the awning in if there is wind/rain in the forecast or if we're heading out, even for only 30 minutes. The issue is the sudden gusts we get on this location. We're sitting on top of the Cumberland Plateau in central Tennessee (about 2,400 ft elevation) and have had 10 MPH gusts run by on a cloudless, beautiful day. By the time I would get up and get the awning retracted, it's move on and it calm again. Rather annoying, actually.

Thanks again... we'll plan to use the awning sparingly.
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Old 05-03-2019, 10:03 AM   #15
waynemoore
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10 mph is a breeze not a wind. I have had mine out in 35mph with no problems. Now that was not intended but with it tied down with springs or bungees then it was ok. It’s the ones who leave them out not secured that have the damage. Once they can bang in and out of the sliding arms bad things happen.
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Old 05-03-2019, 01:48 PM   #16
richfaa
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We have seen awning laying on the ground with the straps over the awning and tie downs laying there with it and it is torn off at the camper end. We roll up the awning when we are out for any length of time no matter what.
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Old 05-03-2019, 08:48 PM   #17
bigred715
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I use 2 5gal buckets filled with water and use the tie downs that fit over the tube if I can't use the auger type that goes into the ground. Almost always put awning for the night or if we are going to be gone for the day.
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