Awning Support/Clamps

[DaGrinch]

Please forgive me if this has been discussed - tried the search feature to no avail.

Starting on the day we looked at the Flagstaff Super Lite 27BESS, I have been leery of the 19' awning. Going to one of our favorite campgrounds, we pass a TT with a long awning which has got one heck of a bow. I don't want that to happen to me.

I've been looking at the Carefree of Colorado Awning Support and also the Camco Clamps. I'm leaning more towards the Carefree and making my own lock like OC's awning lock.

I'd like to see what others have done and thoughts on keeping the awning secure.

[Helmsey]

I have one of the Carefree Awning supports I need to install, I think it will be a big help on our 21' awning.

[Brother Les]

19 feet is a long span. My in-law has a long span and he uses what looks like a third pole like the ones on each side. It has a 'rest' for the awning when rolled up, but also has a 'pin' on the end for when the awning is rolled out that is inserted in the awning pole to hold it out like the front and back so there is no bow when it is out. It looks something like this:


Amazon.com: Carefree 902855White Rafter 6 with Auto Support: Automotive

[DaGrinch]

Originally Posted by Brother Les

19 feet is a long span. My in-law has a long span and he uses what looks like a third pole like the ones on each side. It has a 'rest' for the awning when rolled up, but also has a 'pin' on the end for when the awning is rolled out that is inserted in the awning pole to hold it out like the front and back so there is no bow when it is out. It looks something like this:


Amazon.com: Carefree 902855White Rafter 6 with Auto Support: Automotive

I guess Brother Les throws another angle into the fray. Once deployed, should the awning also be supported in the middle? Like this number which not only supports at the trailer and above ground when deployed, but also has a vertical support.

Am I over-thinking this?

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by DaGrinch

I guess Brother Les throws another angle into the fray. Once deployed, should the awning also be supported in the middle? Like this number which not only supports at the trailer and above ground when deployed, but also has a vertical support.

Am I over-thinking this?

On real long awnings, it should definitely help keep the bow out of the tube.

[DaGrinch]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

On real long awnings, it should definitely help keep the bow out of the tube.

On my previous trailer, a Roo 23SS, I never thought too much about supporting the roller, even though it was somewhere in the 16' range. But it was a manual awning. Maybe it's just me, but these new power awnings, while convenient, just don't seem to have the "heft" to them the manual ones do. Plus, this one is probably 3' longer than what I am used to.

Okay, OC, define "real long awnings".

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by DaGrinch

On my previous trailer, a Roo 23SS, I never thought too much about supporting the roller, even though it was somewhere in the 16' range. But it was a manual awning. Maybe it's just me, but these new power awnings, while convenient, just don't seem to have the "heft" to them the manual ones do. Plus, this one is probably 3' longer than what I am used to.

Okay, OC, define "real long awnings".

I would classify any over 16' and especially the 19'ers. I think if you have a bow in any of them regardless of length, it would be good to use.

[DaGrinch]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

I would classify any over 16' and especially the 19'ers. I think if you have a bow in any of them regardless of length, it would be good to use.

Well, DW is getting an order ready, so it looks like the Camco support (at a minimum) will be included in the order.

Larry

[campdohbrew]

That’s a good idea! I was not aware they made such.

[DaGrinch]

Well, I went with the Dometic Automatic Cradle Support.... just came this afternoon. It's a mill finish, plain aluminum. Guess when I paint OC's Awning Support Brackets, I'll also paint the awning support.

I'll post pictures when it gets installed.

Larry

[DaGrinch]

I finally got the time (and guts) to attach the awning cradle on the Flagstaff 27BESS. DW walked into the house rather than watch me drill 6 holes - 4 for the pop rivets and 2 for the large screws. Of course, I filled all the holes, and a little outside, with caulk for waterproof reasons. I could have set it a little higher, but it still supports the awning sufficiently.

[mark0224]

Did mine today

[BigJohnD]

We installed one of those I think on every camper. Awning now is 21' I believe. I accidently installed mine lower than I wanted, but it still works. Waited till a morning dew where I could see, and mark where the studs in the wall were where I didn't hit something I didn't want to. Still scary when you drill holes in the side.

[Old Bones]

Originally Posted by DaGrinch

I finally got the time (and guts) to attach the awning cradle on the Flagstaff 27BESS. DW walked into the house rather than watch me drill 6 holes - 4 for the pop rivets and 2 for the large screws. Of course, I filled all the holes, and a little outside, with caulk for waterproof reasons. I could have set it a little higher, but it still supports the awning sufficiently.

Looks good. I may have to get something like that for our awing. It's 18'.

[09grizzly1]

I went with the carefree one. The reason I went with the carefree one as it uses the same wall bracket as the rafter vi and rafter vii so the rafter units will bolt directly to the existing bracket I have on the trailer now(when I can afford to get a rafter unit).I have a 21 FT awning.