Another Way to Stabilize Your Awning

[richp]

Hi,

So reading various posts about pole systems to stabilize awnings got me thinking.

And since I'm a tinkerer, and a sort of MacGyver kind of guy, I started looking at all the stuff I had out in the garage, to see what I could come up with.

And lo, and behold: two adjustable aluminum tent poles from back in the days before RVing; two short pieces of aluminum tube that fit inside the tent poles; some paracord; and, some adjustable straps.

Flatten the ends of the short tubes, drill a hole in each, and bend the flat section to the appropriate near-90 degree angle. Bolt the resulting pieces to each end of the framework holding the awning roller tube. (On my Silverback, the awning has a bolt and threaded fitting in exactly the right place, eliminating any drilling.)

Voila -- nice fittings ready to receive the top of the adjustable tent poles, and which barely stick out beyond the awning tube itself.

Two paracord loops get tied (and left in place) at the end of the roller -- ready to accept the hooks at the ends of the adjustable straps, which go downward to ground pegs; tension as necessary, with the tent poles easily adjustable for variances in ground contours.

Just throwing this out to stimulate thinking on the part of others who have similar packrat tendencies, or otherwise want to improvise along these lines.

FWIW.

Rich Phillips

[itat]

Interesting idea. I prefer the look of the custom brackets that OC and Turbs have been selling but if it works, it works. I wonder if you can figure out a way to have something attached to the short pieces of aluminum tube to secure the adjustable straps and put tension on the arm and directly down on the poles rather than the awning tube.

[richp]

Hi itat,

I suppose I could install an eyebolt on the small tube bracket I made, and attach the anchor strap directly to that. Then I could eliminate the paracord loops.

I don't see how doing it this way creates any mechanical/structural weakness. My way has the benefit of simplicity and very low cost. But your idea is more elegant somehow.

Thanks for the tip.


Rich