Electric awning

[FRANANDTOMMY]

we were told by our service advisor not to put tie downs on our awning while camping. Is this correct?
We messed up our old (non electric awning) last year by not having tie downs and while we were fishing a storm came through and before we got back to the campsite our awning was bent.

just want to do the right thing....

[f6bits]

Everybody tells me that mine (electric) had better not be out if its windy, so I comply. With tie downs, the wind is really going to jerk the awning around, and I don’t want that kind of stress on the awning system and mounts.

[Festus2]

I'm not that familiar with electric awnings and perhaps that caution might apply to those. However, we almost always secure our manual awning with tie-downs. By doing this, it does reduce the strain on the awning and its supports and I would recommend that people use awning tie-downs for the manually-operated ones.

If we are just going to be in a site for 1 day/night and want to get away early, we sometimes leave the awning retracted- one less thing to do in the morning.

If it looks like the wind will be picking up and pose a threat to the awning, we put the awning in. We do this before going to bed as we don't want to be wakened up by the awning flapping about at 3 am in the morning. If we are going to be away from the campsite for an extended period, we also put the awning down.

[twstdpear]

The sales person we were working with when we bought our TT said that the electric awnings are designed to withstand wind gusts, and that he personally has been in some pretty serious wind with it open and was surprised to find he had no issues or damage. He further explained something along the lines that the way the arm is designed with the gas props allows the awning to stay deployed while absorbing the awning assembly bouncing up and down.

Camping World's description for the Dometic 9100 Power Awning (looks similar to mine) says, "Knee Action design lets the awning fabric and hardware flex in moderate wind to prevent damage."

Needless to say, I'm a slight bit skeptical. Although given his stated experience and the bit about the Dometic awning above, there may be something to it. I still would err on the site of caution, though.

[JRTJH]

We have a manual awning so I can't address the "survivability" of the electric awning system, but I'd be somewhat skeptical of Dometic's statement regarding "MODERATE WIND" sounds to me like "lawyerese" for their way out of having to accept responsibilitly. All they have to do is be flexible on what moderate means and they're covered. Like you, I'd much rather err on the side of caution.

[ktmracer]

The sales person we were working with when we bought our TT said that the electric awnings are designed to withstand wind gusts, and that he personally has been in some pretty serious wind with it open and was surprised to find he had no issues or damage. He further explained something along the lines that the way the arm is designed with the gas props allows the awning to stay deployed while absorbing the awning assembly bouncing up and down.

Camping World's description for the Dometic 9100 Power Awning (looks similar to mine) says, "Knee Action design lets the awning fabric and hardware flex in moderate wind to prevent damage."

Needless to say, I'm a slight bit skeptical. Although given his stated experience and the bit about the Dometic awning above, there may be something to it. I still would err on the site of caution, though.

I agree. I pull ours in when away or if there is any chance of wind at night. Believe me, even in a low wind (5mph??) it WILL wake you up at night unless your a real sound sleeper. Yes, the gas props work but it makes a big racket as if moves up and down

[richf28]

Last year I bent two arm supports on my Dometic electric awning. The first time it wasn't anchored the second time it was. It cost me 260.00 the first go around and the second time it was 500.00. Both times it was an unexpected gust of wind and I wasn't the only one in the park that happened to. From now on it's in at night, in if I leave away from the camper and in if it gets breezy.

[byrdr1]

Wind will affect the electric awning. tied or not. I have had both experiences with mine. Tied out with straps and springs it will bounce with gusts of winds, I worry about it pulling from the rail at the top . Without tie outs it will flex the awning and it can pull the two poprivets on the right hand side that hold the rails to the body of the camper out of the wall... Easy repair!!! if you can find the large poprivets (got 4 extra now they come packed 6 in a box) and have a friend who just happens to have the right tool for the job. Nice to camp with buddies who do HVAC for a living.
I have tied mine out and will continue too as long as I take it down if we leave the camper and at night. It just is not worth it to leave it out. ITS not as strong as the older manual ones in my opinion.
Randy

[camper 2010]

A few weeks ago someone had a post with pictures of his electric awning and had made some leg supports for the outside edge. With these supports, it will withstand about the same wind as non electric awnings. The electric ones will not stand as much wind.

[therink]

I have been tying my electric awning down with ratchet straps for 3 yrs now with no issues or damage to the awning or arms. The key is to make sure the tensioner knobs are good and tight and that the tie off points in the ground are good and tight/secure. I use 12" rebar spikes. I have only brought the awning in a few instances when big storms rolled in or were forecasted while leaving the rig unattended. I see no point in having an awning if it needs to be brought in everytime it is breezy or raining.
Steve

[Brantlaker]

Here is Posts: 45
Power Awning tie down Poles
Here are the pictures of the poles I bought a set and they work as advertised they held up in South Carolina in high winds after Sandy went by on October 28th. This is not my RV. search in awing tie downs
Attached Thumbnails

__________________
Gary & Gail a copy of a post that I made in November about tie down poles.

[n4qpcham]

Let me tell you about my Carefree electric awning on my old Kodiak TT: We were tailgating at my son's college football game when a thunderstorm blew in. We had left the awning out, and even though someone was in the trailer at the time, they weren't able to do anything. The wind ahead of the storm did the damage. Our Carefree awning had the "breakaway" feature, but it was overridden by a quality of workmanship problem. There were supposed to be two screws holding the tube that the cloth wraps around, to the hub that is attached to the motor on the end. One of the screws apparentley went sideways between the hub and the tube, instead of through them, probably during a hurried assembly(on a Friday afternoon or the day before a holiday?). It was not removed or another screw installed, so now the system is being held together by one screw. By chance, the improperly installed screw was on the lower side of the tube when the awning stopped when it was opened fully. The high winds hit the awning from the opposite end, lifting it above the end with the defective screw. Since that screw was not installed correctly, the bottom of the tube pulled loose from the hub immediately as the other end of the awning lifted in the wind, pulling the good screw on top of the tube out of its hole in the hub, tearing the hole completely. The support arms on both ends were twisted badly, but the mounting rail stayed attached to the TT. I was able to remove the bad screw and install it properly, and with giving the awning motor some assistance by pushing hard on the twisted support arms, get the awning retracted and locked for travel. I believe the "breakaway" function would have worked if the screw had been installed correctly. I now have a Montana High Country, and even though my Good Sam Insurance fully replaced the 1-year old awning, I never leave the 5er with the awning extended.

[billb800si]

Simple:
Electric awning = only out when we are present. NEVER out when we are gone. It only takes a few seconds to retract an electric awning.

Back in 2006 lost a brand new awning on our brand new Jayco while I was inside when a wind came up. Threw the awning on top the roof and put two holes in it. Weather looks bad then retract!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[rschad]

I had a manual awning and I use tie downs so I have less worry about wind ruining my awning. I don't want to have to retract it all the time as that is a hassle. but if I had a power awning that retracts with a touch of a switch then I would just do that at night or if I was leaving the trailer for the day. I don't get the issue when u have only to push a button

[mguay]

Electric Awnings were designed to ease setup and tear down. When we had a manual awning...it didn't go out without getting tied down. There is no "quick" way to put one in when the wind kicks up. As I think about the CG's we visit, I don't think I've ever noticed a manual awning that wasn't tied down.

Here's what we do. When we want the shade and are at our site...we put the awning out. When we leave or go to bed, the awning comes in. It is all of a 10 second process to push the button.

As far as the weak link, IMO it is the fabric, not the hardware! On my Dometic 9100 the stitch was the issue. At the rail, they hem the piping in with a 5 stitch run. At the tube it is only a 1 stitch hem. The stitch makes holes in the fabric and is the easy spot to tear...like mine did.

[rwjejits]

Typical advertising job, but fun to watch...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vE-8-aU3cM

[JRTJH]

Typical advertising job, but fun to watch...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vE-8-aU3cM

Impressive, I've got a Dometic awning, but it's an entirely different arm support system than the one shown. I wonder if it's an "improved version" or a "meet Keystone's price version" ????? :confused:

[billb800si]

Here's a more detailed video of Dometic's Premium Electric Awning. This video shows not only the 100 KPH ( 60 MPH) but also the rain test. Finally it shows the retracting feature.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1__99AuhT4Q
This truly is an amazing awning...
Happy trails,

[audio1der]

Nice awning. Our awning arms have no fore/aft give and would never live through winds above 35km/hr based on what I saw in those videos.
Our comes in every night and every time we leave. I see many others who leave theirs out their whole stay and we wonder if we're not being overly cautious, but better safe than sorry IMO.
My only worry is the added use of the motors, but at least that will be more of a planned event than a wind gust.

[n4qpcham]

If you hang parth lights or anything from your awning tube, I highly suggest the use of ROLLUMUP velcro party light holders. They fit the accessory groove in the awning and lay flat when you roll in the awning. Having a velcro loop, a slight tug pulls the party lights off the awning quickly when a storm rolls in.

[Bluewater]

I have heard that some of the electric awning manufacturers now have an optional wind sensor switch that will automatically bring your awning in if the winds picks up. good idea

[wallet14]

We had our electric awning out in ocean city md when a storm rolled in overnight. I woke up and went out to put it in. As soon as I opened the door a huge gust of wind blew and the awning went up folding in half with the supports sliding as though the awning was closed. It popped right back down to the open position with no damage. I was extremely thankful and I put it in right away. I think if it had been tied down it would have been damaged. For reference the tension knobs were tightened but the gust was powerful enough to still move the awning.

[Brantlaker]

I have electric awning on my 5er and I tie it down with adjustable poles in the front and ratchet tiedowns. I bought them from a fellow that used to be on this forum. They have held in 50-60 mph winds with no damage to the fabric or the supports I have attached pictures.4772

4773

4774

[trackstand]

I have electric awning on my 5er and I tie it down with adjustable poles in the front and ratchet tiedowns. I bought them from a fellow that used to be on this forum. They have held in 50-60 mph winds with no damage to the fabric or the supports I have attached pictures.4772

4773

4774

How can I find a setup like this? it seems really dumb that one can have the awing out when its raining and such. I could see if it was 50+mph winds. but we enjoy hanging out under the awning during thunder storms. :confused:

[All4eyes]

I can see using tie downs on the awning if the were made of shock cord. I have been in 50 to 60 mph wind gusts and the camper has rocked so much that it worried me. If the awning had been out and locked solid to the ground I can't imagine what would have happened to it. We have just decided its easy and quick enough to bring in and out to go that route. I guess I would rather be safe then sorry on something I can prevent.

[therink]

I use ropes with slip not to 12" rebar ground spikes. I tighten up the tensioner knobs and good to go. I only bring it in when I know winds are going to be unpredictability strong or when a storm looms. 4 yrs doing it this way. I love the power awning.

[Stublejumper]

The sales person we were working with when we bought our TT said that the electric awnings are designed to withstand wind gusts, and that he personally has been in some pretty serious wind with it open and was surprised to find he had no issues or damage. He further explained something along the lines that the way the arm is designed with the gas props allows the awning to stay deployed while absorbing the awning assembly bouncing up and down.

Camping World's description for the Dometic 9100 Power Awning (looks similar to mine) says, "Knee Action design lets the awning fabric and hardware flex in moderate wind to prevent damage."

Needless to say, I'm a slight bit skeptical. Although given his stated experience and the bit about the Dometic awning above, there may be something to it. I still would err on the site of caution, though.
I like that "sales person" in other words he will tell you anything for a sale and at the same time offer a discount price on parts if you bought the trailer from them knowing that you will be back to buy parts from them after the awning rips off!!! I would play it safe and tie it down.

[lspajm]

We have electric awnings on our Passport 3220BH - I actually have 2 awnings due to the length and plaement of the rear (bathroom) door. Before i unsed to hang lights on them -- if we were leaving the campsite for any longer than an hour or so -- i run them in -- 2 buttons....held for 20 seconds....and saves yourself worry, and money.

Now that i clip lights on them -- i do tend to tie them down...and i leave them out at night tied down as well....but my lights are such that if a storng storm comes...or even an afternoon gusty wind works up...i yank my lights off the valence piece, and put the suckers in....no need to damage the awnings, rails, sides of the camper..

and YES -- they do have the arms that give you the KNEE reaction...but honestly that scares me when they flip up....it acts like a giant sail in the wind (I expereinced it once) - and i think it puts too much strain on the pivot points and the mounts of the camper....

lastly..they are electirc...they have a button....loosen the knobs and just put them IN...its as easy as that.....

[Yorkgr]

Hey, I know you are all talking about awning issues with wind but I wanted to throw this question out. When I push the extend awning button, the awning goes out about an inch and then comes back in. I can't figure it out. It took a while but I got the awning fully extended by pushing the button quickly and letting the awning go out an inch at a time. Basically, I was letting go of the button before it started coming back in. I confirmed the awing will come in but can't figure out what the malfunction is while extending. When I got it out, if I held the extend button it kept retracting until I let go. Weird, but it wants to come in whether I'm hitting the extend or retract button.


Does anyone know what's going on with the awning? Has anyone had a similar experience. I have the Keystone Passport 2650BH. Thanks!!

[PARAPTOR]

Hey, I know you are all talking about awning issues with wind but I wanted to throw this question out. When I push the extend awning button, the awning goes out about an inch and then comes back in. I can't figure it out. It took a while but I got the awning fully extended by pushing the button quickly and letting the awning go out an inch at a time. Basically, I was letting go of the button before it started coming back in. I confirmed the awing will come in but can't figure out what the malfunction is while extending. When I got it out, if I held the extend button it kept retracting until I let go. Weird, but it wants to come in whether I'm hitting the extend or retract button.


Does anyone know what's going on with the awning? Has anyone had a similar experience. I have the Keystone Passport 2650BH. Thanks!!

You did not mention the awning mfr. or model. Electric awnings are motor driven which basically roll up or unroll the material. Applying 12VDC at one polarity causes motor to turn in one direction say to roll awning up. Reversing the polarity to the motor causes it to turn in the opposite direction. On the Dometic awning I do not think motor will automatically reverse if it senses a drag going out or in. As a matter of fact in another tread an awning was extending hit some resistance and resulted in a blown fuse (did not reverse).

In my Raptor there is a single bi-direction momentary switch, in one direction labeled retract and other extend. Pushing and holding extend supplies the correct polarity to turn the motor in the direction to extend the awning. Releasing the switch tops the motor. On the other hand, pushing and holding the switch in direction labeled retract sends the reverse polarity to the motor causing it to turn in the opposite direction (rolling material up). Again releasing switch again stops the motor.

I would say the switch is bad. My 2 cents

[Yorkgr]

Thanks Paraptor.