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Old 04-06-2015, 12:26 PM   #1081
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so nice to see TURBS and Old Coot getting along. Must be residual effect of a holiday
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Old 04-06-2015, 12:31 PM   #1082
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I was thinking the same thing. With a rigid pole why also use straps.



What kind of floor flanges are those and how do you attach them to the poles? Hard to see in the photos.



Thanks

The simple answer is that the straps are what holds your awning down. The straps are what you need to to keep your awning from flying up. The poles act as a support to counter the downward force of the straps. Without the poles the straps would just pull the awning all the way down.

It's a symbiotic relationship. You need both for either to be effective.




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Old 04-06-2015, 12:33 PM   #1083
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As soon as the wind picks up and pulls the pad stakes and throws the whole awning back over the trailer, you'll have wished you had used the ratchet straps and dog screws.
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Old 04-06-2015, 12:47 PM   #1084
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Awning pole hold down kit

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As soon as the wind picks up and pulls the pad stakes and throws the whole awning back over the trailer, you'll have wished you had used the ratchet straps and dog screws.

Gotta be honest... After a full season using them... There's no pulling these bad boys out of the ground. The most inconvenient part of the process is getting the flanges out of the ground on Sunday morning. In 30+ days/nights camped, they haven't budged even a little bit. Not sure why it's such an unbelievable concept when, it seems, I'm the only one who's actually tried it? And if the wind picks real real bad, I do have the straps to hook up and anchor (but I'm pretty sure I'd be bringing in the awning if it got that bad).

I got the floor flanges from Amazon... A little pricey, but worth it, IMO. There's a set screw already in the flange. I drilled out that hole with a 5/16 bit... Then continued through the pole and out the other side of the flange... Then used a lock pin for quick release.



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Old 04-06-2015, 12:54 PM   #1085
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Old 04-06-2015, 04:11 PM   #1086
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Gotta be honest... After a full season using them... There's no pulling these bad boys out of the ground. The most inconvenient part of the process is getting the flanges out of the ground on Sunday morning. In 30+ days/nights camped, they haven't budged even a little bit. Not sure why it's such an unbelievable concept when, it seems, I'm the only one who's actually tried it? And if the wind picks real real bad, I do have the straps to hook up and anchor (but I'm pretty sure I'd be bringing in the awning if it got that bad).

I got the floor flanges from Amazon... A little pricey, but worth it, IMO. There's a set screw already in the flange. I drilled out that hole with a 5/16 bit... Then continued through the pole and out the other side of the flange... Then used a lock pin for quick release.


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Great info, thanks.

The pole and strap combo has a separate member in compression (the pole) and another member in tension (the strap) thus balancing the forces. But with the additional benefit of creating a triangle which is very strong in its own right.

Once you attach the pole to the ground it acts in both tension and compression which is great and eliminates the trip hazard. But does the top of the pole have a tendency to wander around, especially towards the trailer or towards the other pole? That movement is eliminated with straps set at an angle.

If you drive in the stakes at opposing angles it would create a wedge effect. I would bet they would never pull out. I would also devise some tool to pull them out.

With all that said. Is there a need to have any "give" in the structure? The locked down pole if done right is very rigid. Is that a threat to the integrity of the awning fabric? I have seem straps that incorporate springs or is that just for when someone trips over it?
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Old 04-06-2015, 04:27 PM   #1087
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I've tried staking the poles down with everything but dog screws and in the FL sand, NOTHING will hold. Thus the straps and dog screws at an angle. All I can say is if you can pull the stakes, then so can the wind using the awning to increase the pulling force just like the sail on a boat. BUT, to each his own.
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Old 04-06-2015, 04:42 PM   #1088
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I've tried staking the poles down with everything but dog screws and in the FL sand, NOTHING will hold. Thus the straps and dog screws at an angle. All I can say is if you can pull the stakes, then so can the wind using the awning to increase the pulling force just like the sail on a boat. BUT, to each his own.
In Florida sand I would say you need two nylon stuff sacks and a shovel

As a long time tent camper I have had to resort to bags of sand or rocks to hold tent lines. Sometimes the ground just won't cooperate.
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Old 04-06-2015, 04:43 PM   #1089
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When at the race track, we pit on pavement. So, you'll see all kinds of awning set-ups, with guys either using 5gal water jugs or coffee cans w/concrete and a eye bolt inserted for a strap. Your set-up should work just fine and with no 'trip' wire, if you don't have fido, one less thing to untangle them from. Would a nail bar help to pull out anchors? (mini crow bar) ' West coast sand for sail.'
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Old 04-06-2015, 06:40 PM   #1090
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But does the top of the pole have a tendency to wander around, especially towards the trailer or towards the other pole? That movement is eliminated with straps set at an angle.

No movement or wondering with the quick pins through the holes...
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@Bob Caldwell... Yes... I have a 13" pry bar to pull them up for the trip home.


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Old 04-06-2015, 07:19 PM   #1091
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No movement or wondering with the quick pins through the holes...
Attachment 73324


@Bob Caldwell... Yes... I have a 13" pry bar to pull them up for the trip home.


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Looks like you need a bigger pin....or over time the pass-thru might oblong due to 1/4" pin.
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Old 04-06-2015, 07:55 PM   #1092
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No movement or wondering with the quick pins through the holes...
Attachment 73324


@Bob Caldwell... Yes... I have a 13" pry bar to pull them up for the trip home.


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Duh, of course it could not wander (sway) towards the other end of the awning since there is this big reel in the way. What about back towards the trailer or do you just lock down the knobs and it is set?
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Old 04-06-2015, 08:01 PM   #1093
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Old 04-06-2015, 08:03 PM   #1094
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Duh, of course it could not wander (sway) towards the other end of the awning since there is this big reel in the way. What about back towards the trailer or do you just lock down the knobs and it is set?
Just up and down due to the wind will oblong the holes if not tied down. Should be a 5/16" pin or bolt and leave the poles on the awning like they were designed.

BUT, they don't belong to me!
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Old 04-07-2015, 07:02 AM   #1095
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5 kits left

Shipping 5 kits today. Only have 5 kits left.
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Old 04-07-2015, 10:36 AM   #1096
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Better get them while they last, will probably be a while before any more are available.
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Old 04-07-2015, 08:08 PM   #1097
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Still have 5 kits left.
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Old 04-07-2015, 11:21 PM   #1098
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Question

For you that have installed OC's brackets. Did you drill and use a second bolt/nut or just use the one on the awning?
Pros and cons, thanks.
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Old 04-08-2015, 02:33 AM   #1099
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For you that have installed OC's brackets. Did you drill and use a second bolt/nut or just use the one on the awning?
Pros and cons, thanks.
I installed the second bolt after I discovered the bracket would turn slightly after use, just used a 1/4 x 3/4 ss bolt and ss nyloc nut.
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Old 04-10-2015, 01:45 PM   #1100
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Down to 4 kits left and summer is coming along with the wind.
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