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Old 01-24-2019, 09:45 AM   #1
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Can I use my Awning in the Rain?

2018 FR2501 TS. Is the awning suitable to use in the rain if I can manage the runoff? I don,t know if it is only for use as a sun shield.
v/r. rch
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Old 01-24-2019, 09:47 AM   #2
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The only time I roll mine up is when there's high winds
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Old 01-24-2019, 09:52 AM   #3
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You should be able to lower one of the awning arms to manage water run off.
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Old 01-24-2019, 09:56 AM   #4
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Normal rain isn't an issue. Just adjust one end down for runoff and you'll be fine. If I'm going to be in heavy rain I bring mine in...I don't want to tempt the rain gods!

Just let it dry before rolling it up, or roll it back out to dry, before letting it stay closed for a long period. Water trapped inside a rolled up awning can get nasty...
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Old 01-24-2019, 12:37 PM   #5
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Where I live the awning is used mostly for rain. If it was only supposed to be used for sun I wouldn't bother with the expense.

Just make sure to lower one end so the rain runs off without forming a huge bag of water. When lowering one end make sure you haven't lowered it so much the door rubs on the awning when opening and closing.

FWIW I've never seen rain heavy enough to damage an awning if it's just rain. WIND and Rain, absolutely, bring it in.
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Old 01-24-2019, 01:09 PM   #6
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Originally Posted by TitanMike View Post
Where I live the awning is used mostly for rain. If it was only supposed to be used for sun I wouldn't bother with the expense.



Just make sure to lower one end so the rain runs off without forming a huge bag of water. When lowering one end make sure you haven't lowered it so much the door rubs on the awning when opening and closing.



FWIW I've never seen rain heavy enough to damage an awning if it's just rain. WIND and Rain, absolutely, bring it in.


Rain can most definitely pool on an awning and cause the roller to buckle

Our neighbor had it happen to his, insurance covered replacement of entire thing and the SAME day it was repaired, it happened again after the repair company was gone....he left awning out and went to town - we had a torrential rainfall and it buckled the roller AGAIN [emoji33]
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Old 01-24-2019, 01:19 PM   #7
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I take it he never put one end lower then the other! I have had mine out in rain so hard you couldn't see the camper across the road, but mine was angled.
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Old 01-24-2019, 01:26 PM   #8
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My awning is only ever out if using it.

Otherwise, it stays rolled up!
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Old 01-24-2019, 01:27 PM   #9
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Old co-worker lost his one night to an "un-forecasted" T-storm that popped up in the middle of the night. Before he could get out the door the weight of the water tore both side rails off the camper. Wife took the awning, cut it into picnic table size pieces, sewed the edges and he always said "I have the most expensive tablecloths in this campground."
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Old 01-24-2019, 01:29 PM   #10
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My awning is only ever out if using it.

Otherwise, it stays rolled up!
Probably the most sure way of not losing one. Same here. If I'm not there, the awning is in.
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Old 01-24-2019, 01:34 PM   #11
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Thanks to all. I am now sitting under the awning watching the rain. I dropped one end and the rain is running off nicely.
v/r rch
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Old 01-24-2019, 01:37 PM   #12
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I take it he never put one end lower then the other! I have had mine out in rain so hard you couldn't see the camper across the road, but mine was angled.


It was level but fully pulled down if that makes sense...he does drop one end when leaving for weekend - he leaves it out 24/7 with straps - it is not an electric awning
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Old 01-24-2019, 01:37 PM   #13
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Thanks to all. I am now sitting under the awning watching the rain. I dropped one end and the rain is running off nicely.
v/r rch
Enjoy ! I've read many a book in exactly the same conditions.
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Old 01-24-2019, 01:50 PM   #14
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Originally Posted by RedLdr1 View Post
Normal rain isn't an issue. Just adjust one end down for runoff and you'll be fine. If I'm going to be in heavy rain I bring mine in...I don't want to tempt the rain gods!

Just let it dry before rolling it up, or roll it back out to dry, before letting it stay closed for a long period. Water trapped inside a rolled up awning can get nasty...

My awning always fills with water when rolled up. I can roll it up when dry, when I leave for a while and it rains, it has water in it when I roll it out.

BTW, my awning is self-dumping, after it gets a certain amount of rain on it either one of the ends will drop to dump the water then raise back up. But I normally lower one end by a inch or two.
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Old 01-24-2019, 02:10 PM   #15
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I've seen a couple of awnings destroyed be high winds during a surprise thunderstorm. Both cases the campers were left unattended during the week by weekend campers.
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Old 01-24-2019, 02:23 PM   #16
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How did we go from Can I Use My Awning In The Rain to being destroyed in a thunderstorm?
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Old 01-24-2019, 02:23 PM   #17
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My awning goes out during setup and back in when I break camp.

It's one of my favorite features of an RV. Love having a dry entry, grillin and sitting area no matter the weather.

If it rains you can tilt a corner. If it's windy you can tie it down.
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Old 01-24-2019, 03:07 PM   #18
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How did we go from Can I Use My Awning In The Rain to being destroyed in a thunderstorm?
Those are the things that "can" happen to an awning opened to the rain.
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Old 01-24-2019, 03:15 PM   #19
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But that wasn't what was asked!
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Old 01-24-2019, 03:19 PM   #20
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But that wasn't what was asked!
OP asked if he could use it in the rain. Consensus is Yes, but comments were added that show what can happen if you happen to NOT drop a corner for drainage or leave an awning unattended. I believe everyone answered his question quite well.
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