Should I wake him?

dwall · 08-02-2018, 03:01 AM

It's been raining at the campground for the past couple of days and yesterday I noticed our neighbors awning start sagging due to the water accumulating on it. They were gone so instead of watching it be destroyed I walked over and let one side down. They didn't come in until late so I didn't get to tell him about it. While drinking my coffee this morning I noticed he let it back up all the way and it's beginning to rain pretty good. No one is stirring in their camper, should I wake him or just go inside so I don't have to see it happen?

Northofu1 · 08-02-2018, 03:11 AM

I would leave it. If I'm not mistaken the weight will usually cause one side to buckle on it's own to allow the water to drain.

dwall · 08-02-2018, 03:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Northofu1

I would leave it. If I'm not mistaken the weight will usually cause one side to buckle on it's own to allow the water to drain.

Even on a manual awning? I've always let mine down on one side because the middle starts to sag.

Northofu1 · 08-02-2018, 04:30 AM

Mine is power, it doesn't take much force to lower either side. The trailer is a 2015.

**chuckster57** · 08-02-2018, 04:31 AM

Manual awnings do not have the “dump” feature. If it’s sagging real bad, you probably should do it and then watch for him/her to get up. Then I would tell them what could happen, and let him/her make the decision

dwall · 08-02-2018, 04:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuckster57

Manual awnings do not have the “dump” feature. If it’s sagging real bad, you probably should do it and then watch for him/her to get up. Then I would tell them what could happen, and let him/her make the decision

It started sagging so I knocked on the door, no answer so I dropped one side still nothing from inside. I guess they are hard sleepers or had a really fun night. Just sitting here waiting on them to get up so I can let them know why there awning keeps falling on one side.

xrated · 08-02-2018, 05:48 AM

You probably need to walk over there when they get up and ask him about that really cool new feature that he has on his trailer......."Auto Dump"!, then ask him how it works.

**sourdough** · 08-02-2018, 06:52 AM

I agree that you need to dump it for them if they aren't doing it then be sure and talk to them. If it is like mine it will eventually dump but even then it always worries me that it lets so much build up on top that it is stretching the awning. If it doesn't have the auto dump feature you are doing him a big favor.

dwall · 08-02-2018, 07:02 AM

Update: he finally woke around 10 and walked outside. He had a funny look when he saw the awning down on one side. I went and talked to him and he was clueless. Turns out this was not even his camper. He was "trying it out " from a friend to see if he wanted to buy it. He said his friend never told him anymore than how to set it up. He was thankful for what I did and had many questions about campers. I told him what I knew and introduced him to this forum. We may have a new member soon.

wiredgeorge · 08-02-2018, 07:40 AM

No one is ever told to set his awning slightly to one side if there are heavy rains. You figure that part out when you try and open your door and there is a zillion gallons of water on the awning.

cavediver · 08-02-2018, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wiredgeorge

No one is ever told to set his awning slightly to one side if there are heavy rains. You figure that part out when you try and open your door and there is a zillion gallons of water on the awning.

Are you sure that they are rated for a zillion gallons?

Jack

Ken / Claudia · 08-02-2018, 10:12 AM

Dewall, I think you did a good thing. More people should take action in a situation like that. Only comment I thought about was I would have taken a cell phone photo of what you seen. Just to better explain the problem but, sounds like he understood anyway. In my book, you get a gold star next to your name. For job well done.

BeckyMax · 08-09-2018, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwall

Update: he finally woke around 10 and walked outside. He had a funny look when he saw the awning down on one side. I went and talked to him and he was clueless. Turns out this was not even his camper. He was "trying it out " from a friend to see if he wanted to buy it. He said his friend never told him anymore than how to set it up. He was thankful for what I did and had many questions about campers. I told him what I knew and introduced him to this forum. We may have a new member soon.

Now that is why I love camping and camping neighbors. Good job!

sugarhillctd · 08-09-2018, 08:19 AM

12 years ago our 20' long awning was out during the night and it poured.

By the morning the roller and an arm were pretty bent up. It does happen.

Good on the OP for doing that!

itat · 08-09-2018, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wiredgeorge

No one is ever told to set his awning slightly to one side if there are heavy rains. You figure that part out when you try and open your door and there is a zillion gallons of water on the awning.

I disagree with this. A good dealer will tell you that during your PDI, but when you're a newbie its not hard to forget that tip. Video taping your PDI will help you remember everything they explain.

However, in the OP's situation, there was no dealer PDI and probably very little guidance from the trailer's owner, so its totally understandable that he didn't know.

Personally, I don't trust the auto-dump feature and just setup my awning to be low on the side furthest from our single door.

Kudos to you dwall, for being a good neighbor!

**chuckster57** · 08-09-2018, 10:12 AM

A New owner can easily be overwhelmed with the amount of information given. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve been videoed.

travelin texans · 08-09-2018, 10:38 AM

Our last 2 5th wheels were bought new & the "good dealer" that did PDI on both was stumped by unlocking the door, the only thing we learned from them was they didn't have a clue about what they were selling. They learned a few things from us, hopefully remember some of it, they needed the video camera. Fortunately we weren't newbies, but feel for those that were buying at those places.

travelin texans · 08-09-2018, 10:44 AM

As to the OP, in today's world I'm MUCH more hesitant to do those kinds of favors, you don't know how they may react! I'm not going to be shot trying to save someone else's awning. Granted most would be very appreciative, but it only takes one to go bad sideways very quickly.

Jerry S · 08-09-2018, 10:57 AM

I have found that the dealers sales people are so glad to see you leave they do only the bare minimum explanation of anything. But you did say a "good dealer" which I have not found yet.

Quote:

Originally Posted by itat

I disagree with this. A good dealer will tell you that during your PDI, but when you're a newbie its not hard to forget that tip. Video taping your PDI will help you remember everything they explain.

However, in the OP's situation, there was no dealer PDI and probably very little guidance from the trailer's owner, so its totally understandable that he didn't know.

Personally, I don't trust the auto-dump feature and just setup my awning to be low on the side furthest from our single door.

Kudos to you dwall, for being a good neighbor!

**chuckster57** · 08-09-2018, 11:14 AM

That’s why the tech that does the PDI does the walk where I work now. Previous employer used the parts people.

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