Awning Tie Downs?

[OpaFritz]

I made two lightweight PVC poles to support my retractable power awnings. I don’t have pictures of them in use while camping, but do after I made them and tried them out on my camper parked in my garage. I made them using an stainless steel eyebolt in place of the bolt that holds the roller onto the arm. I connect my tie out to the eyebolt with a stainless steel carabiner for quick removal in case of a need for a quick retraction due to weather conditions. I also added two holes in each pole’s foot, to allow for the use of spike tent stakes to anchor to the ground if desired. The “D” clips make it easy to setup and/or take down too.

[frankraney]

Originally Posted by SailorSam20500

I recall reading thru the threads from Oldcoot and Turbs. One guy was wintering in Arizona, dry, warm, very sunny, and windy. Claimed that using the Oldcoot/Turbs product he had his awning out in 40 mph winds, seemingly on a consistent basis. I'm guessing that he left the awning out full time partly because with those winds, he couldn't extend the awning and tie it down when he wanted to be outside under it. I also recall a discussion about adapting the poles to add "deflapper" capability.

I also remember downloading an engineering drawing of Oldcoots brackets, though I couldn't find it this morning when I looked. I did see a picture of the bracket and the forming die that he used to bend them into final shape. Interesting that he adapted an electric log splitter for the job.
For myself, I have installed Oldcoots brackets and for poles am using legs off of a destroyed easy-up. I added 6" of PVC pipe on the top to add some length to the legs. The pvc is installed inside the leg and I can adjust how much additional length is used.

I get it. A lot of people want their awnings out. And they are gone or inside? Is it a statement they are making. I will NEVER PUT TIRE DOWNS ON MINE. The awning is only needed for shade when I'm outside, sometimes. Sometimed it don't help for that. I will not take a chance of damage done by winds. To each his own, but I'm not rich and don't like working on these things. They are not designed to be out and tired that way, or you could but lots from the dealers. Just because some people got lucky does not make it right or safe.

[TheWolfPaq82]

when the wind blows........I just put my awning away. Very simple. I had 4 really nice ratchet straps that I retrieved from a dumpster that were still attached to the awning that was torn off a TT and the owner just pitched the whole thing into the dumpster. I just prefer to K.I.S. "Keep It Simple."

[Homebrew]

I must agree with not using tie downs. I’ve see many awnings get dragged to the dumpster because of a wind gust that came from no where. Some people with tie downs but most without.
As soon as I see or hear my awning flap, I bring it in.

[lesptr]

Originally Posted by frankraney

I get it. A lot of people want their awnings out. And they are gone or inside? Is it a statement they are making. I will NEVER PUT TIRE DOWNS ON MINE. The awning is only needed for shade when I'm outside, sometimes. Sometimed it don't help for that. I will not take a chance of damage done by winds. To each his own, but I'm not rich and don't like working on these things. They are not designed to be out and tired that way, or you could but lots from the dealers. Just because some people got lucky does not make it right or safe.

And yet, hundreds of us do it and have no problem.

We’re we’re using ours as a guest suite and home with the awning extended and tied down.
A storm came through while we were at dinner, and I had 2 large pine trees that came down in that storm.
No awning damage.
I’m a believer.

[Homebrew]

In my travels it seams to be certain areas that have bad wind gusts that happen all the time that destroy awnings.
Many other campgrounds seam to be protected by mountains and large trees.

[NXR]

Originally Posted by lesptr

And yet, hundreds of us do it and have no problem.

The answer probably is, as usual, "it depends".

There are dozens of different awning types and manufacturers. What works on one may not work on another. Our Lippert Solera power awnings specifically state to not tie them down because the arms need to flex to prevent damage.

When we had one awning arm replaced under warranty a week ago, the Lippert tech told us that FR had never installed the two screws midway up each arm. He said we needed to get those screws installed or we risk the awning arm getting torn off.

Ray

[emm-dee]

Originally Posted by NXR

The answer probably is, as usual, "it depends".

There are dozens of different awning types and manufacturers. What works on one may not work on another. Our Lippert Solera power awnings specifically state to not tie them down because the arms need to flex to prevent damage.

When we had one awning arm replaced under warranty a week ago, the Lippert tech told us that FR had never installed the two screws midway up each arm. He said we needed to get those screws installed or we risk the awning arm getting torn off.

Ray

I can’t find any references to tie downs in the LCI paperwork. Please advise where they publish that.

[NXR]

Originally Posted by emm-dee

I can’t find any references to tie downs in the LCI paperwork. Please advise where they publish that.

Right here, page 4: https://lci-support-doc.s3.amazonaws...cd-0001369.pdf

Ray

[aceinspp]

Originally Posted by emm-dee

I can’t find any references to tie downs in the LCI paperwork. Please advise where they publish that.

X 2 I see no reference to that statement listed on my Solera awning and I use the poles and tie down system. Later RJD

[lesptr]

Originally Posted by emm-dee

I can’t find any references to tie downs in the LCI paperwork. Please advise where they publish that.

Thanks.
I was spoolin up the iPad ibooks to search for that.

[aceinspp]

Originally Posted by NXR

Right here, page 4: https://lci-support-doc.s3.amazonaws...cd-0001369.pdf

Ray

Only a caution does not mean you are not too. You can adjust the awning for the run off by lowing one end of awning to allow water run off which I do. Never had an issue. Later RJD

[lesptr]

Originally Posted by NXR

Right here, page 4: https://lci-support-doc.s3.amazonaws...cd-0001369.pdf

Ray

Me thinks that if referring to only putting a strap on without poles.

[lesptr]

Originally Posted by aceinspp

Only a caution does not mean you are not too. You can adjust the awning for the run off by lowing one end of awning to allow water run off which I do. Never had an issue. Later RJD

Nope. No issues either.

Don’t knock it if you haven’t tried it I always say.

(I’m now in rehab for various reasons)

[NXR]

Originally Posted by aceinsp

Only a caution does not mean you are not too. You can adjust the awning for the run off by lowing one end of awning to allow water run off which I do. Never had an issue. Later RJD

Hey, once you're out of warranty everything is fair game, eh?

Ray

[emm-dee]

Originally Posted by NXR

Right here, page 4: https://lci-support-doc.s3.amazonaws...cd-0001369.pdf

Ray

Thanks for the reference. My only awning manual is the parts manual. The purpose of awning poles is to disable the motion of the support arm. Allowing it to be able to move freely means if a gust of wind hits then the arm gets a head start on movement before it hits the stop limit…which is when the damage occurs.

Keep in mind that the awning is bolted to a bracket which is tied to the ground. A wind from over the awning tries to force the fabric down but since the end of the support arm is on top of the bracket the arm cannot move. Or, if the wind gets under the awning the stress is transferred to the strap between the bracket and ground.

Allowing the arm to free float is inviting disaster. The older style awnings without any free floating parts have much more wind resistance.

[Homebrew]

Originally Posted by lesptr

Me thinks that if referring to only putting a strap on without poles.

Where does it say poles and straps are required?

[emm-dee]

Originally Posted by Homebrew

Where does it say poles and straps are required?

The same place it says no China bombs are allowed.

[Homebrew]

Originally Posted by emm-dee

The same place it says no China bombs are allowed.

I guess my question is if this method helps save the awning from damage during a hurricane , then why doesn’t the awning company recommend the poles and straps or provide them as an option.

[emm-dee]

Originally Posted by Homebrew

I guess my question is if this method helps save the awning from damage during a hurricane , then why doesn’t the awning company recommend the poles and straps or provide them as an option.

Replacement parts sales?