Awning Poles

ard58 · 02-03-2021, 11:45 AM

New question on an old subject. I've read the posts, Ole Coot makes the brackets, but, with the newer arm designs, with the strut, are poles necessary? We have had out during rain, and it will tilt and drain rain water off. If it gets real windy either awning should be retracted or have poles, but other than that? We retract when real windy, at night, and when we leave. What do you do?

5picker · 02-03-2021, 12:15 PM

This is a subject where everyone has THEIR comfort level.

Some folks will roll the awning in at the slightest breeze and others want the extended area of cover as much as possible.

MY method of operation... if you have poles/brackets (even with the struts) if you tie them down and tilt them, you can get through all but gale force winds and rainfall.

If you have NO poles/brackets, you better roll them up anytime you are not there/able to do so within minutes of a weather event. Even with the struts and auto-dump, these electric awnings DO NOT have the triangular support of the older manual awnings. (unless you add poles/brackets)

Here are ours where we are currently. They have been out continuously for over a month in moderate wind/rain.

If you do use poles/brackets... use LASHING straps to tie them down instead of ratchet straps. If necessary, with the lashing straps, I can push the thumb release and unhook the lower hook in less than 3 seconds. You can then roll in the awning with the poles/straps still attached, as they will simply follow the awning arm in towards the side of the R/V where it can be secured AFTER your awning is safely stowed away.

NJKris · 02-03-2021, 12:24 PM

Scary thing is when wind suddenly moves in, and while you are retracting, you see the canopy billowing up, lifting the damn thing above roof level. Talk about near panic situation, grabbing onto an arm to stop it blowing up, screaming at your wife to work the control button. I can't imagine doing poles. I hit my head on the arms often enough as is, especially if I wear a stupid ball cap. With poles, I'm sure more tragic events would unfold.

SailorSam20500 · 02-03-2021, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NJKris

Scary thing is when wind suddenly moves in, and while you are retracting, you see the canopy billowing up, lifting the damn thing above roof level. Talk about near panic situation, grabbing onto an arm to stop it blowing up, screaming at your wife to work the control button. I can't imagine doing poles. I hit my head on the arms often enough as is, especially if I wear a stupid ball cap. With poles, I'm sure more tragic events would unfold.

I have a set of the poles installed. Unlike the setup 5Picker showed, I generally run my straps almost straight down. Between being able to see the poles even when wearing a hat, the bright orange straps make them hard to miss.
FWIW. my poles were taken from a destroyed Easy-Up. I did add a short section of pvc pipe to the top of them to get some additional length.

**Iwritecode** · 02-03-2021, 12:49 PM

I can't have poles even if I wanted them because I'm on a seasonal site and have a deck in front of my trailer. The poles would come down right in the middle of my steps.

Funny enough the one time we did have an awning flip over onto the roof (this was many years ago) it was the old style with legs that clipped into brackets on our deck. The wind was strong enough that it ripped one of the legs right out of the clip.

Now we are just careful with our awning and bring it in if it looks like bad weather is on the way.

5picker · 02-03-2021, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SailorSam20500

I have a set of the poles installed. Unlike the setup 5Picker showed, I generally run my straps almost straight down. Between being able to see the poles even when wearing a hat, the bright orange straps make them hard to miss.
FWIW. my poles were taken from a destroyed Easy-Up. I did add a short section of pvc pipe to the top of them to get some additional length.

And I 'generally' do as well.
It is just at this site (previous post) we have a paver patio and can't run them straight down.

If you look close at both photos, I have a piece of fluorescent green pool noodle midway on the pole.
Pretty easy to spot and not run into the pole!

**ependydad** · 02-03-2021, 01:39 PM

I found that if I put the straps straight down from the awning, wind would pull the awning back slightly. If I angled them out like 5picker's first photo, that didn't happen.

Pipeman · 02-03-2021, 01:49 PM

I tie mine down with ratcheting straps, straight down to a very long metal peg in the ground. You might run into a problem that I had. Make sure the straps are straight down and not off to the side because the arms will move over and when the awning is brought in it doesn't line up with the locks. Just be careful strapping them down them down.

aceinspp · 02-03-2021, 02:42 PM

Here is the complete set up poles and brackets where bought through Turbs and poles and brackets powder coated and light weight. I use the claw to hold down and ratchet straps. Very good system just use good judgement as to how much of a wind you will leave them out in. I usally will bring in if wind gets above 30mph . As mention for quick putting up awning 3 sec to release straps and let poles and straps just go up when rolling awning up. Click on camper pic to bring in closer. Later RJD

ard58 · 02-03-2021, 02:50 PM

Thanks for the great info from all.

Everyone stay safe and enjoy the rv life.

Witch Doctor · 02-03-2021, 05:07 PM

I have used old coot polls since he first made them. I use the claws to hold them down, I have been in pouring rain and the biggest wind was about 45 mph. Yes things shook I was worried but to late to do anything, everything was just find at the end. That wind came out of nowhere. There is no way I could get it in. I just crossed my fingers and watched out the window, I said oh well if it go’s it go’s no warning at all of the wind, I swear by the poles and the claws.

marinerjoe · 02-03-2021, 06:16 PM

I have the Old Coot brackets, and use them with the hexagon painter poles from Lowe’s and The Claw for the anchors. My personal preference is to pull the awning in at 15 knots of wind, but less than that I keep it out. I don’t need the awning stitching to start ripping at the camper end of the attachment if I don’t need to keep it out.

RAR · 05-31-2021, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ard58

New question on an old subject. I've read the posts, Ole Coot makes the brackets, but, with the newer arm designs, with the strut, are poles necessary? We have had out during rain, and it will tilt and drain rain water off. If it gets real windy either awning should be retracted or have poles, but other than that? We retract when real windy, at night, and when we leave. What do you do?

I emailed old coot with no response so do you know if he still is making the brackets

**Mr. Dan** · 05-31-2021, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RAR

I emailed old coot with no response so do you know if he still is making the brackets

Send a PM. That's how he communicated in the past.

RAR · 06-01-2021, 12:42 AM

Ok thanks I will try again. I sent him one Saturday but haven’t heard back

MNtraveler · 06-01-2021, 04:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RAR

Ok thanks I will try again. I sent him one Saturday but haven’t heard back

It's Memorial Day weekend and he just might be camping...

aceinspp · 06-01-2021, 06:46 AM

Last time old coot was on the forum way May 2020 I don't think he is camping any more gave his set up to the kids. If you have his e mail I'd try that again. Later RJD

lablover · 06-01-2021, 10:38 AM

This is what we have been using for years and have never had a problem.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006MRQM2...8ZBKKFAEW462D3

mjones12 · 06-01-2021, 10:50 AM

I use the Carefree Awning Stabilizer, available on the Carefree Awning site and Amazon. About.$117.

It is light-weight and light-duty, but great peace of mind on moderately windy days. Very quick to set up and take down. And I always take it down if strong wind is expected. We love it.

aceinspp · 06-01-2021, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lablover

This is what we have been using for years and have never had a problem.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006MRQM2...8ZBKKFAEW462D3

Not near as good and will not take the wind like the hold down poles. Also if you use the claw you will never have to worry about it pulling out of the ground. Later RJD Later RJD

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