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Old 07-01-2012, 05:04 PM   #1
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Question Power Awning

Hi, Does anyone actually know how much wind a power awning can actually take. Our Dealer made us a little nervous that it was going to either be broken or blown off the camper by the first gust of wind that came throught the campground. We brought it in whenever a limb twitched...am I being paranoid or not?? Thanks
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Old 07-01-2012, 05:11 PM   #2
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Our has been out in quite a blow with no damage. The shock system can take a pretty good beating but it is violent and scary to listen to.

If the wind is forecast to be over 15-20 MPH I would roll it up.
If the flapping bothers you, roll it up.

We always roll it up when we are away from camp, just in case a storm blows up and we are not there.
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Old 07-01-2012, 05:16 PM   #3
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Thank you. It is probably better to be prudent, but I was not sure if I was being overly cautious.
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Old 07-01-2012, 05:53 PM   #4
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Originally Posted by Lincolnpond View Post
Hi, Does anyone actually know how much wind a power awning can actually take. Our Dealer made us a little nervous that it was going to either be broken or blown off the camper by the first gust of wind that came throught the campground. We brought it in whenever a limb twitched...am I being paranoid or not?? Thanks
Maybe just a tad depending on how much the limb twitches. In time you will be able to know when you should close it or when it will be ok to remain open. When you reach the point that you cannot relax because of concern with the awning then play it safe and close it.
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Old 07-01-2012, 06:25 PM   #5
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Our has been out in quite a blow with no damage. The shock system can take a pretty good beating but it is violent and scary to listen to.

If the wind is forecast to be over 15-20 MPH I would roll it up.
If the flapping bothers you, roll it up.

We always roll it up when we are away from camp, just in case a storm blows up and we are not there.
Herk is correct, they will take a pretty good wind, but it is nerve wracking to listen to. I fabricated self-storing, telescoping poles that attach to the awning arms that facilitate a cargo strap being hooked to the bracket. We had an extremely good test on them 2 wks ago in the 4 days & nights of high winds and torrential downpours in Orlando, FL. The awning material flapped some, but the awning arms never even quivered and the adjusting knobs for tilting were not even tightened.
Forest River Forums - dunnnc's Album: Power Awning Tie Down (Self Storing)
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Old 07-01-2012, 06:56 PM   #6
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Another mod waiting on time and money ...
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Old 07-02-2012, 06:37 PM   #7
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Wow, that is pretty cool. So when can you do mine?
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Old 07-02-2012, 11:21 PM   #8
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Wow, that is pretty cool. So when can you do mine?
I'm first get in line buster!
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Old 07-08-2012, 06:06 PM   #9
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I too am a little concerned about the strenght of these power awnings, I have been using tie down straps that go into the slot on the roller. They then attach to springs that are attached to spiral stakes that your first screw into the ground. Similar to these, but I paid half as much elswhere Amazon.com: RV Awning Tie Downs Slide In Utility Slot, Motorhome Awning Anchor 2/pk: Automotive

They seem to work well, but if we are suspecting a big blow, we roll the awning up.
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Old 07-08-2012, 06:14 PM   #10
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There was Amy next to us last week at Yellowstone that lft theirs out and had gone for the day. I kept waiting for it to be ripped off the mh but it came through with no damage. It sure was scary to see. LOL
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Old 07-08-2012, 08:04 PM   #11
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We lived on the road full time in a Monaco class A with a power awning, and then we lived full time in a Open Range 5th wheel at one location also with a power awning. Currently have a Work and Play Toy Hauler with a manual awning. I prefer the sturdier manual awnings.
Those power awning are about $2000. to replace.
I found them to be almost useless when you need them the most when the wind and rain are coming down hard. Always had to roll it when leaving the RV unattended, never knew if the wind might pick up when we weren't there.
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Old 07-08-2012, 08:11 PM   #12
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We lived on the road full time in a Monaco class A with a power awning, and then we lived full time in a Open Range 5th wheel at one location also with a power awning. Currently have a Work and Play Toy Hauler with a manual awning. I prefer the sturdier manual awnings.
Those power awning are about $2000. to replace.
I found them to be almost useless when you need them the most when the wind and rain are coming down hard. Always had to roll it when leaving the RV unattended, never knew if the wind might pick up when we weren't there.
With proper support poles on a power awning and with tie downs, they will withstand some pretty high winds. Just spent 2 wks in Orlando with 4 days & nights of 25 -30 mph winds and torrential rain and the only noise we got was the awning material rippling.
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Old 07-08-2012, 09:00 PM   #13
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I have had both manual and electric. I ordered my latest trailer with a manual because I believe they are much better in the wind. Here in southwest Wyoming 20 to 25 mph winds are pretty much a daily occurrence.
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Old 07-09-2012, 01:42 PM   #14
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I do not know what strenth of wind they can take, but I have a healthy respect for awnings and the wind! I have a friend who went off and left his up for a few hours at a lake side site and 45 MPH winds blew by and totaled his 29' TT! At a RV site that I own in the UP of MI the rules state that you must roll them in if the live the campground, it is on Lake Huron.
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Old 07-09-2012, 02:04 PM   #15
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As we like to say in the sailing community ..." it's usually a good time to shorten sail about 2 minutes after you first start thinking about it..." ;-)
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Old 07-15-2012, 07:19 PM   #16
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Not sure I'd try this. But a couple of weeks ago we were at the beach and left for the day. We left at 3 pm and there was not a cloud in the sky, by 6:30 we were an hour away and severe thunderstorms with 60 mph wind gusts were in the area and had already passed over our campground 50 miles away. I didn't know exactly how bad the wind was at the camper.

When we got back the awning was fine. However, the next morning a guy camping behind us came over and told us the wind was blowing the awning so high, he could see it being blown up and down from behind our camper! He was going to roll it up for us until he discovered it was electric.

This was not what I wanted to hear, but none the less, the awning wasn't damaged and is in still in great shape. But, next time I'll be sure to roll it up regardless when we leave for an extended amount of time.
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