Not a bad video - though I do disagree with the pull strap being on the latch end. IMO, the twist he shows when released during the initial extension is a point where a problem can happen. I used either my wife to release the latch or hold the strap (with it being in the middle, distributing the load). If she wasn't available, I would hold the roller tube down, release the catch, then while still holding down, walk back to the center and roll it up - assuming I remembered the hook rod. Our new 5er has a way too short electric awning - while pushing a button makes it easy, sure is not a quality piece.

(Randy, if you were closer, I'd gift you a set of deflappers, a spare leg lift handle, a spare hook rod and a set of ratchet tie downs and ground 'screws')

 

I do the same, usually alone, but occasionally with my wife.

Electric awnings give convenience at the expense of reliability, in my opinion.

Steve

 

I already got caught walking back to the middle and rolling it up I realized that I had left the darned hook rod at the fromt of the camper.
Not wanting to just let go of the strap and possibly damage my new $850 awning, I used my cell phone to call Dar to come to my rescue...
Sometimes I have to not be so manly... I stood there for a good five minutes trying to scheme a way to get that awning rolled up without help...
I need to look up deflappers.. Sounds interesting!
While on the subject - how bad does the wind need to be BEFORE it is too hard on the awning to have it deployed?

 

Probably could have just reset the tube lock to keep it down.

Wind is a judgement call. The weak spot is the bottom bracket on the sidewall of the camper. Often there is nothing other than sidewall holding those legs, i.e. nothing behind it. We roll ours up whenever the wind goes beyond mild. Have seen the wind take the arms all the way over the roof and through the wall on the driver's side!! Honest!

Steve

 

Yeah - that wouldn't be so good....

I will take another look at the anchors on the bottom.. I think I recall them being pretty solid though..

 

Randy - I can't count the number of times over 35 years I looked at that rod sitting about a foot out of arms length reach.

As far as retracting it - if it's rattling, it goes back in. I used to tie it down on each end using some ratchet straps so could let it go a little longer with wind.

Another thing - one end, usually facing the prevailing wind, ours will get dipped a bit so the air pressure helps keep it down. Also, dipping it will not necessarily drain it fast enough if you get caught in a gully washer/frog strangler rain storm. I found this little gem the hard way in Maine a couple years ago (read that as expen$ive). It may billow down making a perfect catch basin for way more water then you can imagine which the roller tube just can't handle. Some folks in our CG lost theirs this way as well about a month ago.

 

One last thing about awning and then I will shut up. If caught in a sudden blow, do not attempt to raise the awning. Instead drop it down as far as it will go. If you are retracting it when the wind catches it, there is not a pray you can hold it down.

Steve

 

All GREAT advice you guys!!!! Keep it coming!
If not for me - for the others that will find this thread and have the same level of ignorance I had or worse....
Thank you!!!

 

For my wife and I, anytime we are leaving the camping spot for over an hour, we retract the awning. I had to race back to the camper one day when a storm rolled in with 50 MPH winds and was very lucky. By the time I got there, the brace arms at the top and fully retracted due to force and the awning was flapping in the wind. No damage, but that was my one chance to correct our errors. Since then, we don't leave the awning out when leaving the spot.

 

Good advice for anyone, esp. if camping in the mts. We came back to camp one day with 85 mph winds in the Sierras. Thought I had a roof leak. The wind was blowing so hard it was forcing the rain water back through the window weep holes.

 

I can surely relate to leaving the rod just out of reach. I'd just work my way back to the lock and lock it and start the process over.

Our experience with a wind gust. We were sitting in the trailer, nice day, door open, widows open. Crane Prairie campground. The wind came up in a heart beat. Couldn't get out the door fast enough to even attempt to save the awning.

Apparently, the jet stream had dropped. After we got the awning off the roof, we went for a walk. Over 20 trees had blown over, up rooted. Luckily, this was late September and the CC was pretty much empty. Many sites had trees laying in them. Was happy to lose the awning and not have a tree land on us.