Slide-out awning in high winds?

[chriscowles]

We're in Carlsbad. There is a thunderstorm and dust warning until 1730MDT with winds in excess of 50 MPH. The trailer is being moved by the wind but is not rocking. I feel okay to stay but there's not much we could do if it weren't, other than maybe get in the truck.

I am concerned about the slide awning. Should I be? It's flapping, of course, but is secured along the entire front and rear edges. The only thing we could do to mitigate risk of damage would be to pull the slide in.

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by chriscowles

We're in Carlsbad. There is a thunderstorm and dust warning until 1730MDT with winds in excess of 50 MPH. The trailer is being moved by the wind but is not rocking. I feel okay to stay but there's not much we could do if it weren't, other than maybe get in the truck.

I am concerned about the slide awning. Should I be? It's flapping, of course, but is secured along the entire front and rear edges. The only thing we could do to mitigate risk of damage would be to pull the slide in.

This time last week I was camping in the Columbia River area in E. Washington with 50-55 mph gusting winds. Trailer shook like a dog coming in out of the rain and the slide topper (awning) flapped like a flag in high wind.

I fully expected to wake the next morning and find the awning fabric torn free. Surprise, not a bit of damage. The roller on the awning had a little slack and it would roll out and retract a small amount to cushion the awning fabric.

Unlike the large awning, the topper/awning is supported solidly on both ends and it takes a lot of wind for the fabric to reach the breaking strength. Will definitely keep one alert and awake at night but this is the second time I've encountered 50 mph plus winds this year.. In January I was camping in the Mojave Desert (Hole in the Wall Campground) with two straight nights of winds this high. So far no damage.

My slide topper is approx 4'X10' in area when extended.

[Rolland]

we were in eastern Wyoming a few years back in a similar situation, ended up pulling in the slide to not have an issue to deal with. I've seen beach balls under the topper, toppers strapped down, there is one outfit that sells an air bladder to support the topper. Kind of like a pick your poison.

[Gumpster808]

We had something similar happen with ours. Was unfurling in the wind then springing back again.

Pulled the slide in just in case. May have been ok overall but erred on the side of caution.

[NMWildcat]

We had slide toppers on one RV. Hated them as they were noisy in the wind, and it is always windy here. I am not going to use beach balls or straps to quiet them everytime I set up. And when debris gets under them in a storm, it is really fun to get it out.
Had them adjusted several times, never made any difference. I removed them and kept to give to the next owner when we sold it.
Will never have them again. But that is just my experience/opinion. Others folks love them.

[chriscowles]

Originally Posted by NMWildcat

We had slide toppers on one RV. Hated them as they were noisy in the wind, and it is always windy here. I am not going to use beach balls or straps to quiet them everytime I set up. And when debris gets under them in a storm, it is really fun to get it out.
Had them adjusted several times, never made any difference. I removed them and kept to give to the next owner when we sold it.
Will never have them again. But that is just my experience/opinion. Others folks love them.

I can see how they are less valuable in NM. In FL, they're very helpful with little reason not to have them.

Edit: my concern wasn't noise, once I understood what the noise was. I was more concerned about potential damage but feel assured that is unlikely.

[si camper]

Got into a windy period in the RGV of Texas. At times it sounded like the kitchen slide awning was going to be ripped off. I wrapped a length of cotton rope over the slide and cover and tied it down. Not tight but enough to stop most of the flopping.