Dometic Awning Tie Down

[5picker]

Originally Posted by campers302

Using Camco tie downs is much better because they drop into you awning groove and will not allow the awning to spin. No holes to drill. They are very simple and easy to use.

See my photo a couple posts back.(#15)
I'm using the claw mentioned by someone else at the base of each pole. They work well.

I disagree with hooking a strap to the tube.
I'm using brackets attached to the arm and use 'lashing' straps, NOT ratchet straps to tie down with.

If I need to put the awning away quickly, all I need to do is press the button on the lashing buckle, unhook the hook at the Claw and retract the awning. Nothing gets tangled in or wraps around the tube during retraction, the poles and straps (still attached at the top) simply lay back against the arms as the awning comes in.

I can release the straps and be retracting the awning in seconds if needed and deal with the straps and poles (if necessary) once the awning is safely retracted.

[gmann32]

When you tie them down like that you actually pull the awning away from the trailer! I have the polls and have had them out in Florida in 30 mph winds with no problem! I also have arms that go from motorhome to roller to tie the deflapper to! Works great!

[Mr. October]

BTW . . I’m curious what wind speeds you guys consider too windy for the awning? For us, without the tied downs, anything above about 5 mph (which is most days) caused the awning to bounce violently. Hence the tie downs.

In a related question what do you consider too windy to have the slideouts out? Similarly, how much play is in your slideouts awnings? Ours seem pretty flappy to me.

[RStormC]

I simply loop a ratchet strap around the end of the awning to a ground stake and put light tension on it.

[salwolfe]

Originally Posted by Mr. October

I certainly wouldn’t leave mine out in wind that strong but it’s nice to be able to leave it out in light winds that otherwise make it bounce and slam down. It doesn’t take much wind to lift it up.

X2, and I would like to leave ours out in light rains to keep chairs, etc. dry while we sit outside and enjoy the rain. Good ideas all.

[bclinton]

Originally Posted by gmann32

When you tie them down like that you actually pull the awning away from the trailer! I have the polls and have had them out in Florida in 30 mph winds with no problem! I also have arms that go from motorhome to roller to tie the deflapper to! Works great!

IMO....this is key....I use an expandable pole attached to the end of the awning bracket and pull on the pole rather than the awning. The newer power awnings are flimsy junk....I would much rather have an older manual setup.

[Mr. October]

Originally Posted by salwolfe

X2, and I would like to leave ours out in light rains to keep chairs, etc. dry while we sit outside and enjoy the rain. Good ideas all.

Bear in mind as Ray (NXR) correctly points out manufacturers recommend not using tie downs. They also recommend not leaving most awnings out in the rain. I was pretty excited about having a real awning after the little handkerchief we had on our old one but I’m thinking it really isn’t worth having.

[Dodge Guy]

I always leave mine out in the rain. I can tilt my power awning if I want, otherwise it auto dumps. I wouldn't leave it out if it were going to get windy. It's very easy to bring it in if needed.

[SeaDog]

I have left mine out in some strong winds with heavy rain with no problems. I would never depend on my awning to auto dump water as some have referred to. I always tilt one end of the awning to shed rain. I have adjustable awning legs and tie down straps.

[cra_fizzer]

I hang my WD hitch spring bars on each end of mine.

[Two dogs and us]

Not leaving it out. Not when we leave or go to bed. Go fishing or wherever when we aren’t there. Been there done that.

[gmann32]

Remember when you tie the awning down, you should disable the wind sensor!