Securing awning from wind

Topic: Securing awning from wind (Read 1122 times) previous topic - next topic

Securing awning from wind

September 18, 2013, 08:55:41 pm

In 2007 Tim Fiedler and Paul Smith had a dialogue about this but I have found no more by searching the Forum. THeir dialogue does not seem to now allow a reply nor a connection to the web site that Tim cited.

You get the picture, as they explained. With our large manual awning extended, the winds can pull the awning strap loop off of the metal connection on the side of the motorhome. My connection on the 2001 is just a straight bar, easy for awning loop to slide off. A friend's 1989 Newell has a curved bar to which the loop connects and is much less prone to slipping off. A friend with an HR, the connection has a small lip on the end of the bar to keep the awning loop from slipping off.

I thought about somehow trying to use zip ties to keep the awning loop on the coach tab, so it would not slip off, but I think it might just slip off too. One friend with a 1999 FT ran a rope up from the front wheel to the extended end top of the awning. Yep, that held it, but it looked a bit unseemly for a Foretravel! Ideas of ways to secure the loop so it will not slip off the connection in a modest or gust of wind? (nor do I want a cinder block with a rope to the awning - suggested by a Fleetwood owner)

mike

Re: Securing awning from wind

Reply #1 – September 18, 2013, 09:11:39 pm

If you are talking about the slide out awning, ours has sort of a hooked place to put the loop and there is an extension strap attatched to the awning strap that I wrap around the hook.

Re: Securing awning from wind

Reply #2 – September 18, 2013, 09:35:55 pm

Mike

Try using a small cord, rope (shoe string size). Make a loop, like a boat dock line, hook that to the metal hook on the MH over the awing strap and secure with a couple wraps using a Bowline knot. Bowline Knot | How to tie a Bowline Knot | Boating Knots Might work.

Re: Securing awning from wind

Reply #3 – September 18, 2013, 10:15:06 pm

Red, that sounds plausible. Jon, i know the bowline, sounds like a good option. The wind force tore the strap, but I repaired with a sewing awl.

I have the extension on the awning strap, so I can try that but sitting in the house I am not sure there is space, just gotta go try. I had a friend watching the awning, wind. He forgot. The wind came up, blew the loop off the metal hardware and the awning went up and down on the forward end of the coach, as you said the slide awning. At some point it would damage the fiberglass.

I think the bowline a good thing to try. I wish that there was a hook or protrusion or such on the metal fixture that I could get a grip on it to secure the awning extension or the bowline around I thought about trying to get a Newell awning hardware but figure the holes would not align and I do not like drilling more holes.

thanks both of you

Re: Securing awning from wind

Reply #4 – September 20, 2013, 08:13:48 am

Could you possibly drill a small hole near the end of the straight bar, large enough to take one of the small clothespin type metal pins? Then all you have to do is "crowd" the strap over far enough to be able to insert the pin.

Re: Securing awning from wind

Reply #5 – September 20, 2013, 04:29:32 pm

How about trying a knurling tool to roughen up the metal surface of the hook itself. This would add quite a lot of friction to the connection and might be enough to keep things secure.

Craig

Re: Securing awning from wind

Reply #6 – September 20, 2013, 11:06:21 pm

The hook for our slide out awning is the same as the other window awnings. Maybe you could get one of those from MOT or FOT, if it would fit the holes that you have for your other anchor

Re: Securing awning from wind

Reply #7 – September 20, 2013, 11:24:10 pm

Dear Red, Craig and Nitehawk. GREAT ideas, will try them!

I got a couple of private ideas from Jeff and one was he had never seen a straight metal hook. I went out and looked, he is right. Mine is not straight, but it is close to so versus the HR and Newell. So I thought more about it.

I think part of my problem is the size of the awning strap loop. Maybe the original owner modified it, do not know, but it is so large that it runs out to the end of the hook. Maybe, maybe, that is part of the problem. Just too large of fit as far back as it should? Plus MOT adjusted the awning spring tension when they tightened the pin block in the top of the slide. I doubt that mattered though as a friend with a 1999 just same as mine had the same problem, the awning strap came off the hook. End of awning slams up to the top close. I think will hurt fiberglass though a friend with the new to him HR simply pull the strap off and lets it go, slam to the top, on the window awnings.....cannot be good for it, but I am probably too cautious.

SO, I am going to do what you said, after MOT or FOT sews on a new strap (mine got torn hear the loop, I had to patch it up with the sewing awl while in NM when really needed the shade on the windows even at 8500 ft) then I will scuff up the hook some - sounds great, tie with bowline or pin on the end

Thanks so for your thoughts, I really like being able to use the awnings...I have learned after owning it a while now.
Mike

Re: Securing awning from wind

Reply #8 – September 21, 2013, 12:22:57 am

If it is just a matter of the strap shimmying off of the hook, can you not use a small rubber band and wrap it umpteen times on the hook to create a rubber lip?

Re: Securing awning from wind

Reply #9 – September 21, 2013, 08:53:01 am

As usual, Carol comes up with the greatest (and quickest) repair idea.

Her idea gave me another possibility. How about putting a layer of Shoe Goo on the hook? Don't laugh!! The Shoe Goo is clear--no coloring- so it won't be too apparent, and has adhesion properties to keep it on the hook. The outer surface has quite a rubbery texture (like Carol's rubber band) that would inhibit the strap loop from slipping.

But, the possibility exists that anything less than a mechanical containment of some kind would prove to be unreliable.

Re: Securing awning from wind

Reply #10 – September 21, 2013, 11:49:16 am

My only comment is that your awning may not have enough tension on it when it is extended. We use our awnings almost all of the time and I have seen them flopping crazily in a storm but never have they slipped of of the hook.

Increasing tension on a manual Zip Dee awning can be DANGEROUS so consider having it done by a pro.

To increase tension one needs to remove the left (as I recall) bar from the coach. Hold on with both hands and don't let it get away from you. Wind the arm clockwise (again as I recall) to increase the spring tension. You will need two people, one to properly control the roller and the other to control the bar. Its a little tricky and you will need two ladders. If the bar gets away from you after removing it from the coach it can easily break an arm and I suppose kill you if you head gets in the way, so seriously consider taking it to an authorized dealer for the adjustment.

Re: Securing awning from wind

Reply #11 – September 21, 2013, 12:07:59 pm

Thanks Kent....it is hard to pull the awning down, but once past some point the tension releases quite a bit, before that you feel it may tear the strap loose from the awning.

Mike Rodgers, whom I talked to while in NM, said I must not do this myself, risk of injury you pointed out.

Hope you and Peggy and family are seeing brighter days ahead,

mike

Re: Securing awning from wind

Reply #12 – September 21, 2013, 10:46:28 pm

RE: "pull the strap off and lets it go, slam to the top, on the window awnings"

I would never let the window awning loose to slam up as it can only be bad for awning and coach. We always use awning hook to lower and raise window awnings.

Re: Securing awning from wind

Reply #13 – September 22, 2013, 10:42:10 am

I've adjusted the tension on the one on our 320 and our current one, a 300. The manual explains and illustrates the procedue. I guess it could be dangerous but it didn't seem bad to me. One person can do it with something holding the awning up or two can do it without that brace. The tension is not great and the awning bar you are using to turn the spring swings easily. The hardest part is getting it just right. I had to do it two or three times.

The manual also explains how to take a bow out of your awning. The illustration is hillarious. I've done that too. Wish I had a video.
jor

Re: Securing awning from wind

Reply #14 – September 22, 2013, 09:03:02 pm

Duh, how does one take the bow out of the awning? Ours came with a bow and I think it should be straight. Does your illustration involve the use of some very "fluffy" bodies applying downward pressure while having mechanical supports on the awning ends?

Re: Securing awning from wind

Reply #15 – September 22, 2013, 11:36:59 pm

My big awning came with adjustable rods, The hooks on the ends are broken, So cant use them,

I will see if I can put piccy up of them,

Re: Securing awning from wind

Reply #16 – September 23, 2013, 01:56:23 am

Quote from: MR B2 – September 22, 2013, 11:36:59 pm

My big awning came with adjustable rods, The hooks on the ends are broken, So cant use them,

I will see if I can put piccy up of them,

Try looking here: <www.awningsbyzipdee.com>

If you contact the ZipDee company, you can order any parts you need to replace them. (I am assuming that your awnings are ZipDee) You can download a parts list and a manual, if you did not get any of that stuff with the coach.

Re: Securing awning from wind

Reply #17 – September 23, 2013, 03:36:11 am

Brian, on the rear end of the awning the "eye" of the rafter arm (the end permanently mounted to the awning) broke during a rainstorm. Made of pewter so it cannot be repaired. Zip Dee informed me they no longer made parts for our old style awnings. But, the guy came up with a replacement part that mounted on the awning roller axle instead of the lower arm. Took some drilling and now good as new.
I have my manual from Zip Dee. Shoot some piccys for me as to what you have and need and I will get you part numbers.

Re: Securing awning from wind

Reply #18 – September 24, 2013, 05:52:05 am

I have never had the window awnings have a problem in the wind, although I do not use them in extremely windy conditions. As far as the patio awning I lean to the Conservative side and never leave it out with the coach unattended, been there done that paid my dues. While it's a pain I still have all of my 14 year old awnings in one piece.

Re: Securing awning from wind

Reply #19 – September 24, 2013, 05:26:35 pm

Bruce, agree with you....do not leave patio awning out while gone. I would though like to be able to leave the slide and window awnings out. The windows ones seem safe for us, not the slide awning until now, when I think I got plenty of good ideas of how to secure it better. Even then I will not leave those large slide or window awning out if high winds are probable

mike

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