The other week we went on a trip, and I wasn't all that happy with the rear post of our awning security wise, so I just wrapped a bungee coed around it as extra. When we got to our spot, our friends rolled in, and looking at his awning, I saw he had extra Velcro straps on both posts.
I am wondering if anyone else is doing this, or are the existing plastic clips a satisfactory means of keeping the awning in place.
Our awning is 6m long.
Yuglamron said
11:16 AM Mar 5, 2018
I must have a different model Carefree awning as mine has an alloy slide that slides down to lock the arm in place.
I would think that if your locking parts are plastic a set of Velcro straps would be a good idea. We all know how badly the sun damages plastics here in Australia. It will damage the Velcro but every time you use them you will see if they need replacing.
Peace of mind is better than worry!
iana said
11:26 AM Mar 5, 2018
I thought the alloy slide just operates the ratchet in the roller, bearing in mind that there is only one slide and its in the rear strut. While each strut has the plastic clip/cover that one fits back before trave, it is this I thought did the locking.
ballast2 said
12:37 PM Mar 5, 2018
G'day. Always velcro ours and also use velcro on the screw pins on the arms. Have not lost one of them since.
Cheers.
erad said
12:43 PM Mar 5, 2018
I have a Carefree awning and the rear plastic clip which holds the awning in place whilst travelling actually broke on a VERY windy day. I botched a repair which to this day still works quite well, but I also bought two velcro straps. These straps seem to be fitted to later model caravans (not mine for sure). I have lost/misplaced a few of the straps, so I have now tied them onto the bracket so they don't get lost.
iana said
01:11 PM Mar 5, 2018
Thank you for the info, out comes the sewing machine and pop rivet gun.
Would hate to think what could happen if the awning just came out even a little at 90K.
About 10 years ago a caravanner came over to me as I set up on our site at Byron Bay CP and went to great lengths to explain to me the risk of the awning swinging out while in transit.
He showed me his velcro straps and so when I got home I made up a couple that I still use to this day. Just double sided velcro hand sewn to a stainless steel ring. I think that I left a bit extend past the ring so that it doesn't rub on the paint of the awning arm.
edit .. can't spell
-- Edited by Cupie on Monday 5th of March 2018 05:31:33 PM
Stephcott said
05:51 PM Mar 5, 2018
Always Velcro mine.
Dickodownunder said
06:21 PM Mar 5, 2018
Even though Jayco said I dont need to velcro my awning, I still do when travelling.
I use the short velcro straps that came with the awning deflappers ( mine came with two straps each clamp) and if I need them for the deflappers it is only when the awning is out so the straps are 'dual purpose'
iana said
09:16 PM Mar 5, 2018
Crickey, wasn't expecting so many replies, message to carefree is fit straps as standard. Did not get the sewing machine out today, was a bit hot so laid low. Thanks for the replies.
erad said
10:07 PM Mar 5, 2018
iana wrote:
Thank you for the info, out comes the sewing machine and pop rivet gun. Would hate to think what could happen if the awning just came out even a little at 90K.
That is exactly what happened to me - I was doing probably 100 into fierce headwinds. I was running late after a medical appointment and we had to be in Sydney for another later in the day. We were on the Federal Hwy when a car went past furiously waving at me. I checked in the mirror and the awning was hanging well over a metre from the side of the van, rear end only. The front leg was still firmly in place. As said above, broken plastic retaining bracket. I tied the awning up with an ocker strap and subsequently found that later model Jaycos seemed to have the velcro straps. After losing a few straps, I tied them on as well. Naturally no more problems when you have everything all tied down.
-- Edited by erad on Monday 5th of March 2018 10:08:46 PM
Farmhat said
01:26 AM Mar 6, 2018
Even with the posts velcroed and clipped up, I saw a van once that because the lever was in the roll down position, it allowed the awning to unroll and balloon out a meter or so. Perhaps his internal springs were not tight and some how the wind had gotten under the awning and pulled it undone like a sail.
Joe
Cupie said
09:05 AM Mar 6, 2018
Farmhat wrote:
Even with the posts velcroed and clipped up, I saw a van once that because the lever was in the roll down position, it allowed the awning to unroll and balloon out a meter or so. Perhaps his internal springs were not tight and some how the wind had gotten under the awning and pulled it undone like a sail.
Joe
That's a worry. While mucking about a while back I let off the spring tension & had to work out which way to twist it to retension the spring. I didn't tighten it up enough & my rafter is slow to retract. Needs a little assistance.
Hadn't thought of that potential issue.
Might have to revisit it ... or invite my mate 'The Awning Man' over for afternoon tea & get a pro to do the job. Sounds like a plan!
iana said
12:39 PM Mar 6, 2018
So by reading above, the integrity of the plastic locks is very important, because it is impossible to have the retract lever in the up position when closing those locks. Just had a quick look at ours, and the are not an easy item to replace being held by two large pop rivets. But I wonder how they resist our hot sum before breaking, and should we carry a spare.
Raha said
09:34 PM Mar 6, 2018
I am paranoid about the awning when driving, so we have Velcro and also a small dog collar around the awning arms. Overkill, but at least I feel more relaxed.
The other week we went on a trip, and I wasn't all that happy with the rear post of our awning security wise, so I just wrapped a bungee coed around it as extra. When we got to our spot, our friends rolled in, and looking at his awning, I saw he had extra Velcro straps on both posts.
I am wondering if anyone else is doing this, or are the existing plastic clips a satisfactory means of keeping the awning in place.
Our awning is 6m long.
I must have a different model Carefree awning as mine has an alloy slide that slides down to lock the arm in place.
I would think that if your locking parts are plastic a set of Velcro straps would be a good idea. We all know how badly the sun damages plastics here in Australia. It will damage the Velcro but every time you use them you will see if they need replacing.
Peace of mind is better than worry!
G'day. Always velcro ours and also use velcro on the screw pins on the arms. Have not lost one of them since.
Cheers.
Would hate to think what could happen if the awning just came out even a little at 90K.
About 10 years ago a caravanner came over to me as I set up on our site at Byron Bay CP and went to great lengths to explain to me the risk of the awning swinging out while in transit.
He showed me his velcro straps and so when I got home I made up a couple that I still use to this day. Just double sided velcro hand sewn to a stainless steel ring. I think that I left a bit extend past the ring so that it doesn't rub on the paint of the awning arm.
edit .. can't spell
-- Edited by Cupie on Monday 5th of March 2018 05:31:33 PM
Even though Jayco said I dont need to velcro my awning, I still do when travelling.
I use the short velcro straps that came with the awning deflappers ( mine came with two straps each clamp) and if I need them for the deflappers it is only when the awning is out so the straps are 'dual purpose'
That is exactly what happened to me - I was doing probably 100 into fierce headwinds. I was running late after a medical appointment and we had to be in Sydney for another later in the day. We were on the Federal Hwy when a car went past furiously waving at me. I checked in the mirror and the awning was hanging well over a metre from the side of the van, rear end only. The front leg was still firmly in place. As said above, broken plastic retaining bracket. I tied the awning up with an ocker strap and subsequently found that later model Jaycos seemed to have the velcro straps. After losing a few straps, I tied them on as well. Naturally no more problems when you have everything all tied down.
-- Edited by erad on Monday 5th of March 2018 10:08:46 PM
Even with the posts velcroed and clipped up, I saw a van once that because the lever was in the roll down position, it allowed the awning to unroll and balloon out a meter or so. Perhaps his internal springs were not tight and some how the wind had gotten under the awning and pulled it undone like a sail.
Joe
That's a worry. While mucking about a while back I let off the spring tension & had to work out which way to twist it to retension the spring. I didn't tighten it up enough & my rafter is slow to retract. Needs a little assistance.
Hadn't thought of that potential issue.
Might have to revisit it ... or invite my mate 'The Awning Man' over for afternoon tea & get a pro to do the job. Sounds like a plan!
I am paranoid about the awning when driving, so we have Velcro and also a small dog collar around the awning arms. Overkill, but at least I feel more relaxed.
Cheers
All done, easy peassy. Two struts done of course.