Awnings and the wind.

[PeteVJ]

Is it a good idea to anchor my awnings in high winds? And are wind sensors for auto retracting a good investment and what's the best one?

[notanlines]

No, it is NOT a good idea to anchor your awnings in high wind. It is not recommended to have your awnings out in ANY wind. Breeze, yes. Wind, no. Anchoring the awning might work for awhile, but at some point you're going to have the 'aw s--t' moment and then you'll be on here asking about where to buy awning brackets.

[wiredgeorge]

If you put your awning out and it rains, keep in mind to make sure it isn't level across or it will hold rain. Tip the awning to one side so water will run off on the low side. Every time I put our awning out seems that 40 mph winds come up or there is a torrential downpour.

[dutchmensport]

If you value your awning and want to keep it, then don't anchor it down and forget it. If you are not right at the trailer, retract the awning. Pull it back out when you return.

We've lost 2 awnings over the years, both because of wind that came up too fast and make the awning pop, pulling the awning out at the track on the trailer and tearing it.

[Laredo Tugger]

I agree with Jim, the best place for an awning (in windy conditions) is rolled up.
I have an extension to the awning that attaches to the fabric tube and anchors to the ground. While it does hold the awning to the ground, I would not leave it connected during a weather event with significant winds.
As for auto retracting with wind sensors? I have seen a few on some higher end Class A motorhomes but not on any product commonly sold off the lots where we got our campers. There may be an after market system that can be installed to retract the awning in high winds. I am not aware of one.
RMc

[sourdough]

Bring the awnings in if the wind is "blowing" and whipping. The right whip will pop it and ruin it. Tying it down will just let it tear it up. Sat across the road from a guy all winter that never brought his awning in and used tie downs. When the breezes came that awning would raise one end or the other, billow etc......but at least it was tied down. And, both ends of that awning were ripped off the track on the trailer for about 2' on both ends - he didn't seem to care but I would.

Also I bring it in if there is a heavy downpour. I keep it tilted but at some point I figure there will be enough weight to harm it and then it would be my luck a whipping wind would hit it and twist it right up on top of the trailer. Plus, if you leave the awning out in the rain you probably have an "auto dump" feature. If so and it's like mine when that awning finally gets bulging with rain water and decides to dump you'll jump out of your skin if like me, sounds like someone shot a 12ga. right next to you.

[chuckster57]

Modern electric awnings are NOT designed to be anchored. Unless it came from the factory with a wind sensor, I wouldn’t try adding one.

[NH_Bulldog]

We have a Lippert Solera awning as a factory install on our Passport. The wind sensor module for the auto-retract is $118. I am old-school so if the wind picks up, or we leave for any length of time I retract it myself.