Carefree Awning Stabilizer

[mjones12]

There was some recent discussion here about ways to tie down an electric awning, so I wanted to provide some info on the Carefree Awning Stabilizer kit, which I just used on a 10-day camping trip.

It is available on the Carefree website and on Amazon for a couple of dollars less. I paid about $74 for it. It has two adjustable aluminum poles with cradles on top, upon which the awning reel rests. Directions say to get the awning extended and adjust the pitch for rain runoff before installing the poles and extending them until the cradles snug-up under each side of the awning reel.

The tie-down straps go over top of the reel and attach via D-ring to a hook on the back of the cradle. Then the strap extends to the ground to a spike about six feet out. On that end of the strap is a common double D-ring assembly to tighten the strap.

I was really pleased with the product because I never leave a campground with the awning extended for fear a damaging gust of wind will come along. So that leaves all my chairs and other stuff open to the elements while I am gone. Now I can leave for a few hours with some peace of mind about the awning being extended. Same thing at night.

Of course, if strong wind is predicted or observed, I would bring the awning in, regardless of how it is tied down. This product is no guarantee against wind damage, but I consider it a reasonable insurance policy against moderate winds.

Installation and takedown are quick and simple, and I put it up when I arrived for my 10-day stay and did not take it down until I broke camp. Two or three thunderstorms came through during that time with heavy rain, but there was no significant wind. At the very least, it saved a lot of wear and tear on my awning motor, which I normally would have used 20 or 30 times during a 10-day stay.

I'm not trying to sell this product, but it sure worked well for the way I camp. I hope this was some help for those considering a way to possibly avoid wind damage.

[larry2c]

Thanks for sharing! That seems like a reasonable price for what you get if it is well made.

[mjones12]

Originally Posted by larry2c

Thanks for sharing! That seems like a reasonable price for what you get if it is well made.

You are welcome. I hope this is helpful. Time will tell, but it seems so far to be of good quality.

[marinerjoe]

Hope it works for you. I use the brackets that Old Coot was selling with the heavy duty painters poles. My suggestion to you would be to replace the tent stakes they sent you with the Claw. IMHO, the stakes will pull out without much effort. The Claw will NOT come out in a gale. The poles will fail and the awning will fly away before the Claw comes out of the ground.

[richp]

Hi,

Looks good. Awaiting a report from folks -- like me -- whose awning tube is pretty high in the air when deployed.

FWIW.

Rich Phillips

[mjones12]

Originally Posted by richp

Hi,

Looks good. Awaiting a report from folks -- like me -- whose awning tube is pretty high in the air when deployed.

FWIW.

Rich Phillips

Good idea. I didn't measure mine, but owner's manual says poles are adjustable from 55 to 108 inches.

[mjones12]

Originally Posted by marinerjoe

Hope it works for you. I use the brackets that Old Coot was selling with the heavy duty painters poles. My suggestion to you would be to replace the tent stakes they sent you with the Claw. IMHO, the stakes will pull out without much effort. The Claw will NOT come out in a gale. The poles will fail and the awning will fly away before the Claw comes out of the ground.

Thanks. I agree. The provided stakes ARE very "slick" and probably don't offer a lot of resistance.

Also, I'm willing to bet Old Coot and Turbs were providing top-notch quality. I just wanted something a little less permanent.

[richp]

Hi mjones,

There is that.

But actually I was looking at the top arrangement and wondering how easy or hard it would be to rig the strap over the top of the tube (if it is set up the way it looks to my eye) when the tube is 7-8 feet off the ground.

Anyone able to post the instructions that presumably come with them?

Rich

[BandJCarm]

I made my own, out of PVC. Use Saddle Tees, or half of one, at top to cradle the awning. Since the pic was taken, I also got 2 more that I made for our 2nd awning.

[richp]

Hi,


In this thread

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ng-177663.html

I posted some pictures of how I accomplished this, using some old adjustable tent poles and a simple bent aluminum pipe fitting.

The benefit here is that I don't have to reach to the high tube by hand. I can just insert the top of my tent pole into the homemade fitting.

FWIW.

Rich

[mjones12]

Originally Posted by richp

Hi mjones,

There is that.

But actually I was looking at the top arrangement and wondering how easy or hard it would be to rig the strap over the top of the tube (if it is set up the way it looks to my eye) when the tube is 7-8 feet off the ground.

Anyone able to post the instructions that presumably come with them?

Rich

Another good point, Rich, because you have to set the pole first and then put the strap over the top and hook it. I stood on the bench of a picnic table but will probably use a more stable step ladder next time.

[mjones12]

https://www.carefreeofcolorado.com/c...q=2&pp=24&sst=

Rich: This has a link to the owner's manual Pdf.

[ependydad]

mjones12, thanks for sharing some real world info on these! I am definitely considering them as I try to decide what I'm going to do for awning poles on this new rig.

[mjones12]

Originally Posted by ependydad

mjones12, thanks for sharing some real world info on these! I am definitely considering them as I try to decide what I'm going to do for awning poles on this new rig.

You are always welcome. I will follow up as I continue to use it.