Awning un-used

[Russellvh]

An awning un used
My 5th wheel has two nice awnings but I’m afraid to use them. I have heard and read about how winds can cause them to “rip” out of the trailer side.

Is that really a happening or a myth? I know to not let rain or “weather” gather on top.

 

[team bradfield]

Wind can destroy them, never leave with them out, watch the weather you can use them in mild wind, I rarely use mine, I enjoy the sun

 

[lostinfla]

Agreed, never leave the awnings out if you leave the campsite. I have seen numerous awnings destroyed along with collateral damage to coaches from it whipping around. On our class C years ago, a huge wind came up within seconds and even though we were there, it ripped the awning from the side of the RV and flipped it over the roof putting holes in the rubber roof.

 

[Boat Bum]

For no other reason, I would run them out occasionally to make sure they are dry and mold free.

 

[Fish]

I bought a weather station and mounted it to a pole on my rv ladder just to monitor the wind speed.
I had an awning rip on a windjammer I used to have, calm day then BAM. The first year I had my Monaco Camelot a gust of wind came out of nowhere, ripped the awning mount out of the wall on one side and flipped the awning up onto the roof.

When my weather station shows wind above 12 mph I bring it in. It also has a lot to do with which way the wind is coming from. After my experiences, I'm extremely cautious.
I never leave it out if I'm not here and able to watch it.

 

[Wemustrv]

We use our awning all the time. We do closely monitor the winds and weather forecasts. We do not leave it out when we leave or in the evening when we go to bed. Use it and enjoy it. They are made to take some wind

 

[Kevin D Pem]

Direct answer:

The stories are not a myth. But all awnings are not equal. The ones that you must extend yourself, (the ones I have experience with) have another issue. I have acquired several through the years that the ratchet has given out. This is usually due to not latching the arm hardware properly.

My personal experience was with awning rolled in but not latched properly. After all, it would be rolled back out in the morning, right? Large scale winds during the night stripped the ratchet and she became unfurled destroying the hardware. My only choice was to cut her free as she proceeded to beat the roof of my rig.

I just took in the hardware that the ends were destroyed during a mishap while the owner traversed from Idaho to the desert.

ALWAYS SECURE YOUR AWNINGS WHILE THEY ARE NOT IN USE!!!