4HPYCMPRS
Niagara Falls, Canada
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Hello everyone ! ! I've been an active member of the HTT forum in the past years. I recently sold my Rockwood Roo 23SS and took possession of our 2012 Rockwood Signature Ultra Lite 8312SS. I ordered this rig with the power awning option. I'm curious to find out if anyone with a power awning uses straps or tie downs to aid against gusts of wind. I always tied down my manual awning in my Hybrid TT. I am currently camping and we've had some strong winds. I do have the 'dog screw-in stakes' with ratchet straps applied snuggly - not too tight. It seems to be secured. However, I'm still not comfortable with it 100% - like I was with my previous rig's awning. Any pointers/advice/opinions/input would be greatly appreciated! Also considering the long strap that goes the length of the awning with the spring at one end. The campground I'm currently staying at has the strap kit for only $16.49 - I think that is a fair price..... and may give me more peace of mind. I will most certainly have the awning rolled up/retracted is more severe winds.
Thank you, in advance, Mark
Happy Camping.
'08 Chevy Avalanche LT3 6.0L (366hp) 4.10's
'12 Rockwood Signature 8312SS. Equalizer/P3
'06 Honda EU3000iS TomTom ONE 130-S GPS.
Me  ('71), DW  ('70), DD  ('01), DD  ('04).
A wiseman once said "GIT-R-DONE" 
'12 nights camped- 6
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JayWalker2009
USA
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Joined: 08/11/2009
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4HPYCMPRS wrote:Hello everyone ! ! I've been an active member of the HTT forum in the past years. I recently sold my Rockwood Roo 23SS and took possession of our 2012 Rockwood Signature Ultra Lite 8312SS. I ordered this rig with the power awning option. I'm curious to find out if anyone with a power awning uses straps or tie downs to aid against gusts of wind. I always tied down my manual awning in my Hybrid TT. I am currently camping and we've had some strong winds. I do have the 'dog screw-in stakes' with ratchet straps applied snuggly - not too tight. It seems to be secured. However, I'm still not comfortable with it 100% - like I was with my previous rig's awning. Any pointers/advice/opinions/input would be greatly appreciated! Also considering the long strap that goes the length of the awning with the spring at one end. The campground I'm currently staying at has the strap kit for only $16.49 - I think that is a fair price..... and may give me more peace of mind. I will most certainly have the awning rolled up/retracted is more severe winds.
Thank you, in advance, Mark
Happy Camping.
First off, if you have some time, I would suggest doing a search in this forum on "power awnings" or "electric awnings". There are a lot of threads with a lot of great info.
Secondly, you are right to worry about winds with the electric. I would suggest going for that extra strap kit you mentioned, as yes i think it will give you a bit more piece of mind. Wind flap seems to be a really big issue with the electric awnings. I've never found that to be a problem with my manuals in over 12 years, but I have read many posts here about the electric ones flapping a great deal, and not necessarily even high wind.
Good luck! I think it will take some getting used to - not in operating it, as that is the easy part. The getting used to is in the different feel of electric vs manual. They are much higher up, don't seem to provide as much shade, and be careful with the 'auto dump' feature in rain - don't be standing under the side that dumps or keep gear sitting there. It will get drenched. I think there is probably a way to tilt it and not use that option (if yours even has it).
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campingfool59
ohio
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Joined: 11/19/2010
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We use the screw in stakes with the ratchet straps on our electric awning, with no issues. We traded our Rockwood 8296SS in last fall on a 5th wheel. hope you love yours as much as we loved ours!
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therink
Rochester
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Joined: 05/25/2009
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campingfool59 wrote:We use the screw in stakes with the ratchet straps on our electric awning, with no issues. Wtraded our Rockwood 8296SS in last fall on a 5th wheel. hope you love yours as much as we loved ours!
X2- I use 12" barn nails/spikes as stakes and ratchet straps. I get the awning to the pitch I want, tighten down the tensioner knobs and crank down the ratchet straps until the awning fabric is good and tight. 2 seasons now with no problems with wind or flapping. I think it actually strengthens the awning structure to have everything good and tight.
Steve Rinker
Rochester, NY
2010 Keystone Outback Sydney 329fbh 5'er
2012 Silverado 3500HD, SRW,LTZ,4x4, Z71, Crew, 6.0 Gasser, 4:10 Gears, Standard bed
"These days, I have problems in areas that I used to not have areas", so life is good.
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LakeN
North Carolina
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Joined: 05/02/2003
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We also use rachet straps with long stakes & pull down awning level so it isn't so high.
'08 Toyota Tundra 5.7L with tow package/Prodigy
'09 Holiday Rambler Savoy 29CKS
2 campers + Star (Sheltie) & Lulu (Aussie)
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KZCRAZY
USA
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Joined: 04/18/2010
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We use the rachet straps with a big spring at the end like the ones on a trampoline and it has worked fine for us.
2011 F350 6.7 Dually
2009 KZ Inferno 4012 SL
2008 Smart Car
2 - 2011 M50's
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4HPYCMPRS
Niagara Falls, Canada
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Joined: 01/24/2006
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Thanks to all of you for the input. I have not (and will not) rely on the 'auto dump' feature. I was camping a couple of weeks ago and a 5er with the same awning was filling up with rain .... I ran over and knocked on the door and told him about his 'swimming pool' that was forming- must have had the tensioner knobs too tight ... I think I saved him some headaches. Anyway, I will continue to secure the awning as discussed above. Tomorrow morning I will head to the camp store and buy that awning strap kit ! !
Cheers, Mark.
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Bmach
Spfld, Ma
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Joined: 08/26/2004
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You could also see if there is an auto close feature for your awning. Some of them have this feature and when the wind reaches a certain speed it will close the awning for you
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therink
Rochester
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Joined: 05/25/2009
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4HPYCMPRS wrote:Thanks to all of you for the input. I have not (and will not) rely on the 'auto dump' feature. I was camping a couple of weeks ago and a 5er with the same awning was filling up with rain .... I ran over and knocked on the door and told him about his 'swimming pool' that was forming- must have had the tensioner knobs too tight ... I think I saved him some headaches. Anyway, I will continue to secure the awning as discussed above. Tomorrow morning I will head to the camp store and buy that awning strap kit ! !
Cheers, Mark.
Mark
The standard awning strap kit that they sell at rv stores (the single long strap with springs) will not work on the new style awnings. All you need is two ratchet straps (walmart) and a couple of stakes. You would just loop the hook ends of each ratchet strap around each roller end.
Steve
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JRS & B
Florida/Michigan
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Joined: 05/09/2010
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One of the big advantages of an electric awning is that you can easily retract them in a matter of seconds if wind becomes a problem. I would not try to defeat mother nature with tie downs in any kind of serious rain/wind storm. Our electric awning "bounced" in the wind just once and it snapped the drive gear. It did not break off a tooth, it fractured the entire gear where it fits on the motor shaft. So the motor turned but the gear just sat there. Parts and labor were covered under warranty, but I had to pay a $50 service call because I did not want to take the trailer in and it took time to get the parts from Carefree. If the manufacturer wanted their awnings tied down they would have supplied you tie downs in the first place. When in doubt, retract.
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