Newby question - Awnings and wind speed

[tcaleb46]

I have a Forest River Wolf Pup 18TO with awning. When we picked it up, the guy doing the demo with me said I should retract the awning when winds hit 15 mph. This sounds a little low to me, but being my 1st trailer, I don't know.

What does everyone else think?

[SeaDog]

unless you have awning poles and tie downs I would agree with the salesman. Keep in mind 15 mph doesn't sound like much but that is a very large sail area even small gusts can cause the awning to move up and slam down bending arms or tearing fabric. best to be cautious. I use awning poles and tie downs.

[kcmusa]

I only have the awning out when I am there. Always retract when away.
With use you will get a feel for the wind.

[youroo]

Originally Posted by SeaDog

unless you have awning poles and tie downs I would agree with the salesman. Keep in mind 15 mph doesn't sound like much but that is a very large sail area even small gusts can cause the awning to move up and slam down bending arms or tearing fabric. best to be cautious. I use awning poles and tie downs.

Agree,we also have Deflappers with the DIY Poles added as well! Youroo!!

[tomkatb]

Our first year camping we saw twisted awnings piled near dumpsters in many parks.

We concluded you need to not put them out in windy conditions.

[mwdilday]

We only have ours out when we are at the camper and awake. If we notice the wind picking up or hear any noise from the awnings in they come. Also bring them in at night.

[hobienick]

If I know the wind will be 15 mph I call in sick to work and take my sailboat out with reefed sails. It's going to be a great ride. That much wind can easily overpower my 3000 lb sailboat. Especially if it's gusty.

[1100mike]

My last TT had a manual awning. I ran an errand and a summer thunderstorm blew in, twisted my awning like a pretzel. Had friends there but the wind picked up so fast they couldn't roll it up in time..
Current camper has power awnings so anybody can get it done. But, I don't use them if there's a chance of wind..

[aceinspp]

Originally Posted by youroo

Agree,we also have Deflappers with the DIY Poles added as well! Youroo!!

x 3 using awning poles and tie downs. Later RJD

[PhilFromMaine]

Originally Posted by tcaleb46

I have a Forest River Wolf Pup 18TO with awning. When we picked it up, the guy doing the demo with me said I should retract the awning when winds hit 15 mph. This sounds a little low to me, but being my 1st trailer, I don't know.

What does everyone else think?

For me 15 is too high. Think of a sailboat sail in 15 MPH wind. As others have said, if you are going out, retract the awning. In some areas you never know when a T-storm will pop up.

[Jerry-Rigged]

My first 4 camping trips with my trailer were beach/coastal trips here in Texas. 10-20mph winds are the norm, with 25+ if a thunderstorm blows thru (which happens a lot of afternoons). I quickly learned the awning would bounce all over the place if left un-supported. I would take 2 - 5 gallon buckets, fill them with water, and use as anchors to tie the awning down. I had them tied to quick release, so I could drop the leads and roll in the awning pretty quick when needed.

I am not a pro at this, maybe I am way off, but this seemed to work for non-storm winds. Summer is coming, so I expect I will be beach camping again a lot soon, and I plan on following / refining this bucket anchor system over the summer...

[5picker]

Originally Posted by aceinspp

x 3 using awning poles and tie downs. Later RJD

X4

The new power awnings just don't have the triangular support of the old manual awnings.

Tie down brackets and poles allow you to use the power awning in more weather conditions.

There are hundreds of posts on this.

Keep in mind... ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN so common sense is ALWAYS required.

[Mandog]

I use screw in dog anchors and a ratchet strap at each corner to anchor mine. I do not leave it out when gone.

[rsdata]

I use screw in dog anchors and a ratchet strap at each corner to anchor mine. I do not leave it out when gone.

You need to add support poles... the wind not only lifts awnings up and over but can slam them down also...

There are many ideas out there to make your own poles and tie downs. Check out the post below. I also use SPAX that screw into the ground for tie downs, bought at Home Depot. I have a bag with various lengths... much easier to deal with then pounding and pulling stakes.

https://www.forestriverforums.com/fo...ly-155914.html

[ppine]

Extending an awning is a form of land sailing. The large surface area catches a lot of wind. 15 mph is about right. I agree that you should always retract your awning if your rig is unattended.

[NJKris]

+1 for wind forecast of 15 mph is upper limit. That is very breezy and highly probable you will have gusts exceeding 15 mph. You want to avoid that sick, panicky feeling when the awning roller is rising up above roof line, and you are grabbing at the arm to keep it down while screaming for wife to hit the retract button. Yeah, that was fun.


You can get away with it if wind is blowing at opposite side of trailer and direction is very uniform, like at the shore. But you need to be around for when the wind starts to change direction.

[Reverse_snowbird]

Doesn't your rig have a power awning?

Our rule of thumb is... if we're at the rig and there is no wind it stays out when we're awake. We pull it in if there is wind, we're asleep, or we're not at the campsite.
Leaving it out isn't worth the worry over the lost camping time and expense of replacing the awning and fixing the possible damage to the rig.

[tcaleb46]

Thanks for the replies, everyone.. Some really good info. Yes, it is a power awning, and 15mph doesn't sound like much, but from hearing everyone here, I will error on the side of caution.
Awning poles and tie downs seem like a good idea. We also purchased the Solera Family Room so I am hoping that helps with the wind. The last thing I want to do is to have to purchase a replacement awning and equipment.

[Beachbourbon]

Originally Posted by Reverse_snowbird

Doesn't your rig have a power awning?

Our rule of thumb is... if we're at the rig and there is no wind it stays out when we're awake. We pull it in if there is wind, we're asleep, or we're not at the campsite.
Leaving it out isn't worth the worry over the lost camping time and expense of replacing the awning and fixing the possible damage to the rig.

X2

[TheWolfPaq82]

Poles ? Tie downs ? Ratchet Straps ?
My rule of thumb....if the wind picks up...I put the awning away. I too have seen enough dumpsters filled with awnings that were "Tied down" after a storm.