|
|
05-10-2019, 08:18 AM
|
#1
|
Member
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Sequim
Posts: 53
|
Awning arms are an accident waiting to happen
Awning arm 'elbows' on the big slide are just low enough to give me a facelift, I'm 5'5" so I fear that anyone walking close will crack their head open. What was the thinking with this? I put bubble wrap around them and an orange strap but even with that I hit my head on it. Any ideas to prevent lawsuits or medical expenses?
|
|
|
05-10-2019, 08:31 AM
|
#2
|
Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,846
|
Hang a 24" Japanese paper lantern off each elbow ????
Some things (like maybe the fifth wheel pinbox) are hazards that you just learn to live with after that first "encounter"...
__________________
John
2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
|
|
|
05-10-2019, 08:40 AM
|
#3
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Solomons
Posts: 3,874
|
John’s suggestion of hanging items from them is about the best you can do. The more visible you can make them the better off you’ll be. With the invention of the electric awning it introduced additional risks. Even with the old style manual awnings I hit my head multiple times.
__________________
Tom
2019 Alpine 3651RL
2016 F350 CC DRW
|
|
|
05-10-2019, 08:47 AM
|
#4
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Chaska MN
Posts: 227
|
I've clocked myself a couple times on the awning bracket after digging in the pass through compartment for something. Apparently, I am incapable of learning from experience. Have the same trouble with the cupboard door above the dishwasher at home.
[EDIT] Also, welcome to the forum!
__________________
Randi & Shirley
2016 Ford F-350 SRW CCSB 6.7L 4WD
2022 Forest River Vibe 26RK
|
|
|
05-10-2019, 08:47 AM
|
#5
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Macedonia
Posts: 217
|
I, along with many others, put those "pool noodles" ( https://www.amazon.com/Fix-Find-flex...ateway&sr=8-4) on the arms. You slit them end-to end, and they fit right over the metal arms. Since they come in various neon colors, they are easy to see and even if you do walk into one, it doesn't hurt as bad as bone on metal does. You can cut them to fit the length you want.
__________________
DocP (Michael)
Former: Keystone Cougar 32RLI and 34TBS
Current: 2019 Georgetown GT5 31L5 motorhome
|
|
|
05-10-2019, 09:00 AM
|
#6
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Colorado Springs
Posts: 135
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by DocP
I, along with many others, put those "pool noodles" ( https://www.amazon.com/Fix-Find-flex...ateway&sr=8-4) on the arms. You slit them end-to end, and they fit right over the metal arms. Since they come in various neon colors, they are easy to see and even if you do walk into one, it doesn't hurt as bad as bone on metal does. You can cut them to fit the length you want.
|
^^^^This is exactly what we have done.
|
|
|
05-10-2019, 09:05 AM
|
#7
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Milwaukie, OR
Posts: 1,389
|
Unfortunately, learning to adapt to your environment is on you. These are some good suggestions. There is always something to bump your head on around a towable...especially a 5th wheel. We've all done it and hopefully done something to prevent it from happening again...or at least minimizing the pain potential.
On my 5er I put foam pipe insulation (like pool noodles) on my head-height slide outs. I'm just careful around the pin box but still manage to bump my head under the nose.
Live and learn...hopefully
Welcome to the forum...a lot of good info and advice here.
__________________
Jeff & Sandi (and Teddy - 7lb Schnorkie)
2018 Montana High Country 305RL
2015 RAM 3500 Crew Cab 4x4 DRW
Demco Recon Hitch on RAM Puck Ball
|
|
|
05-10-2019, 09:10 AM
|
#8
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Macedonia
Posts: 217
|
I'm taller than the top of the slideout inside my camper, and I can't tell you how many times I have whacked my head against it when I'm going to sit down at the dinette. I'm thinking about covering myself with pool noodles...
__________________
DocP (Michael)
Former: Keystone Cougar 32RLI and 34TBS
Current: 2019 Georgetown GT5 31L5 motorhome
|
|
|
05-10-2019, 09:12 AM
|
#9
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Milwaukie, OR
Posts: 1,389
|
Now, that's a solution, and maybe a new trend in camping fashion.
Please send pics
__________________
Jeff & Sandi (and Teddy - 7lb Schnorkie)
2018 Montana High Country 305RL
2015 RAM 3500 Crew Cab 4x4 DRW
Demco Recon Hitch on RAM Puck Ball
|
|
|
05-10-2019, 09:12 AM
|
#10
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Chaska MN
Posts: 227
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by DocP
I'm thinking about covering myself with pool noodles...
|
Now there's the solution!
__________________
Randi & Shirley
2016 Ford F-350 SRW CCSB 6.7L 4WD
2022 Forest River Vibe 26RK
|
|
|
05-10-2019, 10:30 AM
|
#11
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: North Port
Posts: 18
|
__________________
2017 Keystone Bullet 30RIPR
2017 Nissan Titan XD
|
|
|
05-10-2019, 04:09 PM
|
#12
|
Member
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Sequim
Posts: 53
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dogue
|
The bubble wrap suit, while appealing in function could present issues as so many people like to pop those things!
I like the pool noodle idea though, I'll start wrapping those around my head, I mean awning arms. Thanks all!
I peruse these forums regularly for tips and great advice!
|
|
|
05-10-2019, 08:20 PM
|
#13
|
Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Chelsea
Posts: 77
|
Tacky looking but we hang our beach towels from the arms. Can’t miss those!
|
|
|
05-11-2019, 02:09 AM
|
#14
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: grand rapids
Posts: 596
|
take a chill pill.. as we use to say. stop worrying about what you can't control. nobody is going to sue you...and even if they do that's why you have insurance.
|
|
|
05-11-2019, 08:40 AM
|
#15
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: WI
Posts: 424
|
|
|
|
05-11-2019, 04:10 PM
|
#16
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Coaldale (Southern Alberta)
Posts: 176
|
By far the very most hazardous part of rving is the low down sneaky TRAILER HITCH! Just laying in wait to rear its ugly head and make you roll around on the ground clutching your shin or knee and trying not to cry like a big baby to loudly��
|
|
|
05-11-2019, 05:29 PM
|
#17
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Sierra Vista
Posts: 29
|
Interesting...our RV’s awning slides arms are actually pretty far off the ground, even when extended. I stand 5’10” and I can walk under the extended arms with about five or six inches of clearance. There is also plenty of clearance when the arms are in the extended ‘down’ position (to provide shade when the sun is low in the sky, or to allow rain water to drain off without pooling on the awning).
Our RV might be a nine year old unit, but I am still impressed with how well many of it’s design features are implemented.
|
|
|
05-14-2019, 01:57 AM
|
#18
|
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 279
|
Try putting yellow Caution do not enter tape all the way around the rv.
|
|
|
05-14-2019, 07:24 AM
|
#19
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Picacho, Az
Posts: 6,809
|
Not sure which rv you have or the overall roof height, but with awnings on a short sided trailer means "low clearance".
Just curious what would you suggest the manufacturers do so you don't have to duck & still have an awning?
Personally I don't want them painted safety yellow/orange or have warning labels stuck all over them.
My suggestion is pay attention & DUCK!
__________________
Full-timed 10+ years
Sold '13 Redwood FB
Traded '13 GMC Denali DRW D/A
Replacement undetermined
|
|
|
05-14-2019, 07:37 AM
|
#20
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Milwaukie, OR
Posts: 1,389
|
Even on the old manual awnings you would have to duck if you set up the awning and left the leg attached to the trailer. The advantage of the manual awning is that you can detach the leg and set it vertically. People still manage to walk into it, though...
The nice thing about the electic awning is eliminating the leg. Fully extended on a 5er head clearance usually isn't an issue. On a TT it is...just a fact of life.
Pool noodles or bubble wrap are still viable options...
__________________
Jeff & Sandi (and Teddy - 7lb Schnorkie)
2018 Montana High Country 305RL
2015 RAM 3500 Crew Cab 4x4 DRW
Demco Recon Hitch on RAM Puck Ball
|
|
|
|
|
Thread Tools |
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Threads |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|