Everywhere we go recently we see sights like this. A few days ago we saw one that had self destructed after being heavily roped down. There was an internal crack between the wall &
ceiling running the full length of the awning. Costly!
-- Edited by Desert Dweller on Sunday 26th of March 2017 07:05:28 AM
I agree with you Keith. We use our awning frequently, but always tie it down and use stretchy flat (round ones tend to roll along the awning arm) bungee style straps (Bunnings or BCF) at the top which allows a little movement in the whole awning and then use the galv'd half pickets you can buy at BFC to tie it down - the normal skinny pegs are useless, especially in the sand. We have a tie rope at each end running straight out from the awning and another at right angles.
A good trick to stop yourself or others from falling over guy ropes is the buy a few of those $2 bright coloured styrene pool floater tubes. Cut each one lengthways along one side and they slip easily over the rope and no more tripping over the ropes anymore. Easy to pack and no extra weight.
But I'm always checking the weather forecast every day and seeing how the sky looks. If in doubt - it takes about 10 mins to roll up. I often will close it before going to bed if the weather is a bit suss
__________________
Cheers Bruce
The amazing things you see when nomading Australia
Bruce - you sound like you copied Billy's style of tying awning - pinched it when we were at Seabird???!!!
The stretchy flat over roller thingies are great for a quick put down - just loosen the rope, unhook, ready to roll up. We just leave the ropes there, ready for next time.
Gonna make it up to Seabird this year? We are coming.
__________________
jules "Love is good for the human being!!" (Ben, aged 10)
I agree with the view that if wind is likely or you are leaving the van at a coastal location ... roll up the awning. Always do it overnight.
I use sprung twin ropes at each end. One is set parallel to the rafter & clipped to a saddle on the arm and the other at right angles but wrapped round the rafter.
For pegs I use extra long coach bolts/screws. I have a few 'spades' for sandy soil but have never used them. Before I got the extra long screws from a bolt & screw specialist stockist I used two pegs on each rope, one on a 90 degree angle to its guy rope & the other at 90 degrees (sideways) to it. Hard to explain!
It worries me, our awning is 6 meters long, a lot of sail area, but the roller and struts are the same as for an awning half that size, if the wind gets under it, that's a lot of sail area. I have been wondering about the idea of catching rain of it, but when there is rain there is usually wind.
On the same note, anyone heard the rumor about insurance companies not insuring your awning unless it has a specified number of hoops under it to stop water pooling?
We do a similar thing. Most times our awning is tied down with cargo straps and tent springs just to give it some flexibility. In summer we have the sunshade up with bungee from the edge into the ground and winter the annex tends to hold everything in place.
If the weather is going to be high wind etc we roll it up. Have already replaced one awning (thanks CIL) not sure I want to do that again.
Cheers
__________________
Ex RAAF, now retired. EX Electrician/Teacher.
Homebase is Murray Bridge Tourist Park (in a cabin). New Horse.. 2020 Ford Everest Titanium, Jayco swan for touring.
It worries me, our awning is 6 meters long, a lot of sail area, but the roller and struts are the same as for an awning half that size, if the wind gets under it, that's a lot of sail area. I have been wondering about the idea of catching rain of it, but when there is rain there is usually wind.
On the same note, anyone heard the rumor about insurance companies not insuring your awning unless it has a specified number of hoops under it to stop water pooling?
Not heard this one. Perhaps just another furphy. I don't have hoops & I understand that they were after market options. My first awning was replaced because a gust of wind caught the door as I was lowering the awning. Put a hole thru it. Was replaced, no problem but that was 15 years ago.
If it starts to feel uncomfortable or the weather is about to change or you are going out for the day, just roll it up! Prevention is far better than trying to deal with the insurance company!
Not sure if this has been answered before but would appreciate some advice. Being new to caravanning I'm always ready to listen and learn. Normally when staying in one place for a few days I will put my awning up with the legs vertical, pegged to the ground and two hold down ropes at 90 deg each end fitted with springs to take the shock load. Last time I was out and about a fellow caravanner told me it was better to leave the legs attached to the van and rope the awning down thus allowing the van and awning to move as a unit should a gust of wind hit the awning. What's your thoughts?
Not sure if this has been answered before but would appreciate some advice. Being new to caravanning I'm always ready to listen and learn. Normally when staying in one place for a few days I will put my awning up with the legs vertical, pegged to the ground and two hold down ropes at 90 deg each end fitted with springs to take the shock load. Last time I was out and about a fellow caravanner told me it was better to leave the legs attached to the van and rope the awning down thus allowing the van and awning to move as a unit should a gust of wind hit the awning. What's your thoughts?
Hello JoeJan
May I be one of the first to welcome you to the forum
It would depend what type of awning you have
I have a Fiamma 45i The bookwork says that it is only a sunshade andnot to be used in wind or rain
The wall holders for the legs are only attached with two screws, going through about 5mm fibreglass sheeting, so not very secure
As I do not use the awning in windy conditions, I usually use the wall mounts , as it saves me the trouble of putting two extra pegs (coach screws), in the legs if they were vertical
Thanks Tony, my awning is the run of the mill as fitted to most Jaco vans the support legs/arms can be either fastened back to the van and support the awning at 45 deg thereabouts or can be stood vertical and pegged to the ground.
Thanks Tony, my awning is the run of the mill as fitted to most Jaco vans the support legs/arms can be either fastened back to the van and support the awning at 45 deg thereabouts or can be stood vertical and pegged to the ground.
It sounds as though we have the same type of awning, JoeJan My vehicle is a Jayco Conquest
The more expensive/robust awnings have two legs on each side One leg stays attached to the van, while the second leg is staked to the ground
The best advise I can give is that it makes no difference if our type of awning, is fastened to the van, or staked to the ground But ... When the wind comes up, always be one of the first to wind it up, as we have one of the weakest awnings on the market
The weak point is that the leg adjustment is just an el cheapo friction screw It would not take much wind force to pull the leg through this friction screw
Some members have posted about using a flat type bungee strap, between the tie down rope and awning, as a means of quick release
I am not sure that I fully understand it
Can you buy very short flat bungee straps Do you shorten the bungee strap by pulling it through the hook, and then tying a knot in the strap Do you wrap the bungee strap around the awning, to keep it short Do you leave the bungee strap long
My thoughts are that the hooks of the bungee strap would be a very weak point, and probably bend open when under pressure
If it starts to feel uncomfortable or the weather is about to change or you are going out for the day, just roll it up! Prevention is far better than trying to deal with the insurance company!
Exactly. Two- three minutes to roll it up. Same to put it back out again.
No problems.
__________________
Nappies and Politicians should be changed often . For the same reason .
