Awning Tiedowns?

[dedmiston]

Hey friends. We’re having a great time on this trip but heat is an issue and I’d like to put the awnings out more to get some shade to cool us down. Unfortunately the wind gusts force me to bring the awnings in sooner than I’d like.

Can anyone recommend some good straps to secure them? And does this even work?

I’d prefer to anchor the straps with weights instead of stakes, but I don’t know enough to know if I’m crazy or not.

 

[RMcNeal]

I wouldn't use them in high wind, and definitely not with any straps or weights.
I've actually seen the wind pull a 5 gallon bucket of sand up and onto (through) the roof of a fifth wheel parked next to us in Camp Creek, WV. Unfortunately, the owners were gone for the day and came home to find a mess and raining inside the rig.
The awning will eventually tear loose somewhere and become a kite.

 

[dedmiston]

I’m not looking to keep the awnings out in high winds and we wouldn’t leave them unattended. I’m just looking to be able to keep them open a little longer than we currently do.

 

[RMcNeal]

In that case, I suppose the easiest solution would be short ratchet straps to 5 gallon buckets with water in them. Enough weight to hold down, but easily stowed and carried when not in use.

 

[dedmiston]

Thanks. I’m hoping to find someone with experience who has done this already and can share their tips.

 

[Mikendebbie]

Sometimes i run my awnings out by 4’ or 5’ to just shade the windows…however im too chicken to test them like that in windy conditions.

 

[RMcNeal]

Same here, especially after seeing a gust of wind fold an awning backwards and throw a full bucket of sand through another camper's roof. I had considered the bucket of water thing before that as I usually carry a couple of Home Depot buckets anyway, and the water can be dumped instead of carrying extra weight.

 

[Turd Furgeson]

i throw a ratchet strap over the awning arm,,,,i connect it to a rubber bungee strap which is hooked to one of the holes in the leveler....winds get to whipping i remove ratchet strap and retract awning

 

[DutchmenSport]

I do not use awning tie-downs, exactly. I found this set up works much better. And in the event of a wind flair-up the awning can still fold upward, but not flip over the top. The dump feature still works excellent, and in the event the awning needs to come "in", it's easy to retract.

I attached 2 awning strap cords to my awning. They slide in the groove and I put 2 of them on, one for each end.

The biggest reason I added the awning straps was so I could reach up and tilt the awning. The awning is so tall, it's impossible to pull it down for a tilt, unless having an 8 foot step ladder. This way, the awning strap can simply be pulled down. It's then fastened to the awning frame and a pin is inserted through the holes on the frame and through the loop of the strap.

If the need arises, simply pull the pin and retract the awning. The straps roll right up with the awning, just like a non-motorized awning strap.

If none of this makes sense, here's some photos. By the way, I've been doing this for 5 years now, when I gave up trying figure out ways to reach the arms of the awning to put it in a tilt position. And, I actually lost one of the knobs, so with it in a tilt position, I can't tighten it any more. The straps hold it at a lean very, very, very well, with no danger of hurting anything.

The awning straps dangling from the awning roller. These never come off. They are always there:

Here's a photo of the awning straps attached to the awning rails on the side of the camper with the awning in a "tilt" position:

Here's a close up of the pin the rail through the awning strap loop:

The best part about it is.... no ladders needed, easy to undo, just pull the pin straight out.

I initially used a tent peg, but the aluminum tent peg was too soft. I then used 2 small Phillips screw drivers, but ended up needed to use the screw drivers. I purchased a portable outside port-a-potty / shower enclosure and these stakes came with it. I never used them with the outside shower enclosure, but the worked perfect for the awning strap holder. Strong, stout and the shape worked very, very well.

 

[dedmiston]

I do not use awning tie-downs, exactly. I found this set up works much better. And in the event of a wind flair-up the awning can still fold upward, but not flip over the top. The dump feature still works excellent, and in the event the awning needs to come "in", it's easy to retract.

I attached 2 awning strap cords to my awning. They slide in the groove and I put 2 of them on, one for each end.

The biggest reason I added the awning straps was so I could reach up and tilt the awning. The awning is so tall, it's impossible to pull it down for a tilt, unless having an 8 foot step ladder. This way, the awning strap can simply be pulled down. It's then fastened to the awning frame and a pin is inserted through the holes on the frame and through the loop of the strap.

If the need arises, simply pull the pin and retract the awning. The straps roll right up with the awning, just like a non-motorized awning strap.

If none of this makes sense, here's some photos. By the way, I've been doing this for 5 years now, when I gave up trying figure out ways to reach the arms of the awning to put it in a tilt position. And, I actually lost one of the knobs, so with it in a tilt position, I can't tighten it any more. The straps hold it at a lean very, very, very well, with no danger of hurting anything.

The awning straps dangling from the awning roller. These never come off. They are always there:

Here's a photo of the awning straps attached to the awning rails on the side of the camper with the awning in a "tilt" position:

Here's a close up of the pin the rail through the awning strap loop:

The best part about it is.... no ladders needed, easy to undo, just pull the pin straight out.

I initially used a tent peg, but the aluminum tent peg was too soft. I then used 2 small Phillips screw drivers, but ended up needed to use the screw drivers. I purchased a portable outside port-a-potty / shower enclosure and these stakes came with it. I never used them with the outside shower enclosure, but the worked perfect for the awning strap holder. Strong, stout and the shape worked very, very well.

Now we’re talking! Do you remember where you bought them? Any chance you’ve got an Amazon link?

 

[DutchmenSport]

Now we’re talking! Do you remember where you bought them? Any chance you’ve got an Amazon link?

Yes, I purchased them from my local RV dealership in their parts store. Any RV dealership part store will sell them, for any brand of RV.

But, here's a link to Amazon. Take your choice, the prices are all over the charts: Click here

 

[jetskier]

I saw these for sale at Quartzsite

SaveAwn – RV Awning Reinforcement

 

[dedmiston]

I do not use awning tie-downs, exactly. I found this set up works much better. And in the event of a wind flair-up the awning can still fold upward, but not flip over the top. The dump feature still works excellent, and in the event the awning needs to come "in", it's easy to retract.

I attached 2 awning strap cords to my awning. They slide in the groove and I put 2 of them on, one for each end.

The biggest reason I added the awning straps was so I could reach up and tilt the awning. The awning is so tall, it's impossible to pull it down for a tilt, unless having an 8 foot step ladder. This way, the awning strap can simply be pulled down. It's then fastened to the awning frame and a pin is inserted through the holes on the frame and through the loop of the strap.

If the need arises, simply pull the pin and retract the awning. The straps roll right up with the awning, just like a non-motorized awning strap.

If none of this makes sense, here's some photos. By the way, I've been doing this for 5 years now, when I gave up trying figure out ways to reach the arms of the awning to put it in a tilt position. And, I actually lost one of the knobs, so with it in a tilt position, I can't tighten it any more. The straps hold it at a lean very, very, very well, with no danger of hurting anything.

The awning straps dangling from the awning roller. These never come off. They are always there:

Here's a photo of the awning straps attached to the awning rails on the side of the camper with the awning in a "tilt" position:

Here's a close up of the pin the rail through the awning strap loop:

The best part about it is.... no ladders needed, easy to undo, just pull the pin straight out.

I initially used a tent peg, but the aluminum tent peg was too soft. I then used 2 small Phillips screw drivers, but ended up needed to use the screw drivers. I purchased a portable outside port-a-potty / shower enclosure and these stakes came with it. I never used them with the outside shower enclosure, but the worked perfect for the awning strap holder. Strong, stout and the shape worked very, very well.

Hey DutchmanSport - I think I’m sneaking up on your solution, but I’m not quite there yet.

My straps have too much slack. They don’t roll all the way onto the tube when I retract them and there’s too much slop in the strap when they’re deployed. Did you have to fuss with yours to get the length right?

I’m embarrassed to admit how long it took me to figure out how to hyperextend the roller by a quarter turn to access the channel to slip in the straps, but now I’m an expert.

 

[DutchmenSport]

The solution to the "slop" in the straps is to hyper extend the awning arms, then slide the straps farther in -- toward the middle and make them just long enough to reach. Then, retract the awning 1/2 turn .... or until the slide groove can't be seen any more. This will keep the ends of the strap in the grooves from moving or sliding outward when under pressure.

Now, pull the strap, tilting the awning (so keep those turn knobs loose, don't tighten the awning arms.) Pull the ends and slip your pin through the loop on the end of the strap.

If you notice in my photo above, the straps are pulled toward the middle some, not at the very end of the roller.

When retracting your awning, leave the straps right where they are now and you'll won't have to fiddle with adjusting the straps (very often).

Also, if you don't want to secure them to the awning upright support just let them dangle, but keep your awning roller rolled up that half a turn so the wind won't blow the straps to the end of the roller (either direction) and then wrap around the arms. This has happened to me many times. I finally wised up and never actually hyper-extend any more.

 

[dedmiston]

The solution to the "slop" in the straps is to hyper extend the awning arms, then slide the straps farther in -- toward the middle and make them just long enough to reach. Then, retract the awning 1/2 turn .... or until the slide groove can't be seen any more. This will keep the ends of the strap in the grooves from moving or sliding outward when under pressure.

Now, pull the strap, tilting the awning (so keep those turn knobs loose, don't tighten the awning arms.) Pull the ends and slip your pin through the loop on the end of the strap.

If you notice in my photo above, the straps are pulled toward the middle some, not at the very end of the roller.

When retracting your awning, leave the straps right where they are now and you'll won't have to fiddle with adjusting the straps (very often).

Also, if you don't want to secure them to the awning upright support just let them dangle, but keep your awning roller rolled up that half a turn so the wind won't blow the straps to the end of the roller (either direction) and then wrap around the arms. This has happened to me many times. I finally wised up and never actually hyper-extend any more.

This is great. Thanks a million.

I don’t think I understand though what to do with the slack when I retract it. See the second photo above with about 18” hanging down? What do you do with this?

I sure appreciate your help.

 

[DutchmenSport]

Again, slide the other end of both straps closer to the middle of the awning roller and then pull the awing in (1/2 turn of the awning tub). This will lock in the awning strap in that groove so it won't move. Based on your photo, if you move the awning strap about 2 feet farther toward the middle of the awning, the length will be about right.

Now, pull the strap down (tilting the awning) and slip the pin through the loop at the end of the strap.

Or, if you prefer, tie a knot in the strap shortening it, make a new loop, and leave it at it's current position on the awning roller.

 

[NCFischers]

Look up The Claw. It’s a set of three tie down anchors designed to stake down small aircraft. They work great.