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Old 03-17-2016, 04:45 PM   #1
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Loud banging from left upper roof

Today on the way home from Florida, we had hellatious cross winds of 30 to 40 mph. Not a lot of fun. At times we got a loud fluttering sound and a very loud banging from the roof just behind the drivers head. I angled the left mirror as best as I could, and I think the wind was unrolling the awning over the main slide out. I see nothing damaged. I could see the
end of the awning fluttering. Anyone else ever have this issue. I have a 2013 378 TS
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Old 03-17-2016, 05:47 PM   #2
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Check your antenna it needs to be cranked down really tight.
Our banging in a strong wind stopped when we changed our Winegard Batwing to a King Jack.
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Old 03-17-2016, 06:19 PM   #3
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Loud banging from left upper roof

Abjb, my antenna is fixed, no crank up.
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Old 03-17-2016, 06:33 PM   #4
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I would suspect the awning arm was being pried away from the RV by the wind buffeting and the awning roll was hitting the side near the roof. Just a guess.
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Old 03-17-2016, 09:29 PM   #5
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I experienced the same thing last fall going through the Mojave. It was the awning cover on the front left slide. I could see the shadow of the awning unrolled and flapping in the wind. It was very scary with 50 mph gusts. I needed to get roadside assistance at my next stop to unroll the awning and reposition it on the roller.
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Old 03-17-2016, 11:24 PM   #6
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I had the same issue once and the anti flapper was cracked and it hit the gutter rail above the awning. Mine unwrapped and made a hell of a noise. I think that it stretch the springs because it flaps a lot easier now with the slide out and wind out of the North. You are on the right track look at this area. Let us know what you find.
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Old 03-18-2016, 01:27 PM   #7
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Yes on the Jack.
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Old 03-18-2016, 02:29 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mickeystamper View Post
Today on the way home from Florida, we had hellatious cross winds of 30 to 40 mph. Not a lot of fun. At times we got a loud fluttering sound and a very loud banging from the roof just behind the drivers head. I angled the left mirror as best as I could, and I think the wind was unrolling the awning over the main slide out. I see nothing damaged. I could see the
end of the awning fluttering. Anyone else ever have this issue. I have a 2013 378 TS
After hearing of a man in the UK having his awning torn off while driving, I decided to make a lock for mine.

I have since made one that slides into the screen slot that you can insert the hook into.
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Old 03-18-2016, 10:35 PM   #9
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Like Ramair, I had the awning anti flapper come loose in heavy winds and then the whole awning slid out of its slots and started banging on the side of the motorhome, an incredible sound but no real damage. We stopped and pulled the awning off and carried it inside for the rest of the trip. The anti flapper is that arm that sticks out about 3 inches at one end of the awning. Mine was completely gone.
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Old 03-19-2016, 02:49 PM   #10
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I finally got the chance today to look at the main slide out awning. I see nothing broke or out of position. The awning seems to work OK. I am not sure what the anti flapper is though. If it ever happens again I may look into some type of lock. Thanks for all the inputs.
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Old 03-20-2016, 01:54 PM   #11
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The anti flapper is at the end of the roller see pic. On the wall in my case I had lost the locking device that stop the flapper to roll out see pic Click image for larger version

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Old 03-20-2016, 02:11 PM   #12
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I believe a lot of posters are getting confused by the term 'Awning'.
I believe you are talking about the 'Slide Topper'. on the drivers side?

I had the same thing last year in the same conditions, heavy crosswinds at just the right angle to get under the large slide out topper. It billowed out so much I pulled over once to check it, then had to drive about 35-40 mph to keep it from repeating. Once it stayed sticking out and I had to extend and retract the slide to get it to roll in properly.

Hasn't done it again.
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Old 03-20-2016, 04:03 PM   #13
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My picture show the side topper. It is just that the awning is above the side topper. Maybe I should have took a pic from the topper on the other side but I am too lazy to walk around.
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Old 03-20-2016, 05:41 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tilap View Post
My picture show the side topper. It is just that the awning is above the side topper. Maybe I should have took a pic from the topper on the other side but I am too lazy to walk around.
Yeah, it's a long way around there.
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Old 03-21-2016, 08:45 PM   #15
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I had the same problem on my 378.
One potential cause I found was that the locking mechanism was installed on the wrong end of the awning. According to the Installation & Operating Installations the anti - flapper arm should be installed on the
front end of the awning.
See below for quote from manual:
"6.Position locking mechanism on end cap on leading end of Slide Topper (end which is toward front of vehicle). "


Also check the tension on the slide topper roll up roller. Suggest consulting the manual on replacing slide topper awning material for the proper tension & method
of adjusting.
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Old 03-22-2016, 07:38 AM   #16
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I looked up the topper installation information and the anti flapper is not in the correct position. It should be straight up and it is almost straight use out away from the motor home. Looking at the anti flapper on the right slide out, it is straight down. I need to look at the bedroom slide out, and properly position them. Thanks for all of the input, again this forum is great!
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Old 03-22-2016, 08:34 AM   #17
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Thanks for reporting back, Mickey. Forum members appreciate reading the solution to a problem (possibly theirs!).
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Old 03-22-2016, 04:34 PM   #18
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Has anyone tried the Dometic slide out topper center support?
This would help with billowing and support the center of the topper. My main slide out topper is around 14' with no center support. The information I see on line says anything around 16' should have center support and an anti billow system at both ends. The center support is $118.00 but a lot cheaper than a new topper or body damage.
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Old 03-23-2016, 01:20 AM   #19
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I have thought about adding the another anti billow at the other end to see if this may help. Not sure.
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Old 04-01-2016, 01:04 PM   #20
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Loud banging from left upper roof


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I decided to install the topper center support. Since the topper is around 14 1/2 feet and they require a center support about 16 feet, it can only be good. The support does not fit up against the MH side wall without way to much pressure on the topper so I made two tapered spacers ( see in photo). With the spacers the fit is good, and it will stop any future billowing. FYI the center support kit came with a anti-billow bracket. I will install at the rear of the main slide. The kit was $95 delivered from makarios RV on line.
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