27rl awning how to tie down

Lgwatson · 09-04-2014, 08:46 PM

I have the 27rl with electric awning, is there away to safely tie it down when it's breezy? I feel like I can never put it out cause I'm always in fear of it blowing up over the roof.

OhioMark · 09-05-2014, 08:10 AM

I share your concern. These awnings are about $1,000 installed and I've seen one blown over and it did quite a bit of damage to the trailer too.

I've checked into this and unfortunately you cannot. Customer service told me you don't want to do that since the awning is spring loaded. It will also void any warranty.

If you put out your awning and pull down on the roller arm when extended, you'll see how it's held in place with the two shocks and actually "gives" when you pull down on it.

Customer service said that basically when the winds pick up you need to pull it in. This is our first trailer with a power awning and we were told going into it that the drawback was the fact they couldn't be secured during inclement weather.

Hope that helps.

ewbldavis · 09-05-2014, 10:10 AM

Some electrics have slide slots with knobs. Tightening the knobs helps a little.

I may be old school, but I am still not a big fan of the electric awning style. I love my robust, traditional manual awning.

OhioMark · 09-05-2014, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ewbldavis

Some electrics have slide slots with knobs. Tightening the knobs helps a little.

I may be old school, but I am still not a big fan of the electric awning style. I love my robust, traditional manual awning.

Yes, I actually have a set of "Claws" from our old awning.(http://www.theclaw.com/the-claw/rv-awning-claw-c200.php) Those would hold up in a small tornado..not really, but we never had a issue..even on ocean front sites during tropical storms.

sleepyT · 09-07-2014, 02:08 AM

I agree. I prefer the spring loaded awnings over the electric. Plus when the electric extends it travels straight out and creates very little shade, even if you adjust it to the lowest setting.

Loneoak · 09-07-2014, 04:27 AM

My husband is paranoid about wind and awnings, so he puts it in when the breeze gets too much. He never ties it down, but on one occasion in Florida when we needed some shade we added the screen to it. We have heard of some people retracting it partially when the wind picks up.

gball · 09-07-2014, 05:20 AM

It's a matter of whether or not you are comfortable with having the awning tied down. I have been tying my electric awning down for over 2 years now and so far have not had any problems in doing so. We just returned from spending 2 months in Colorado and the awning was out and tied down the whole time we were there. Had some pretty strong winds and the awning stayed in place with no problems. I add a rope across the middle of the awning that attaches to the bars at each end. This keeps the awning from flapping in the wind and helps stabilize it.

Tim D · 09-07-2014, 07:43 AM

Don't really know "why" you can't tie them down. They are spring loaded so seems to me it would not hurt. I don't do it. We had quite a bit of wind and rain over the holiday and I sat under it and was surprised at how well it handled it. However, I still don't leave mine out if I leave the campground. For me, it deploys so easily it is not a big deal to bring in and out.

**mark5w** · 09-07-2014, 05:59 PM

I'm at the beach now, but was afraid to tie it down. Will have to try tying it down next year since we are leaving tomorrow.

OhioMark · 09-08-2014, 07:45 AM

Hmmm,

With so many of you having success securing your power awnings, I might call LCI at lunch and get the scoop from them... Horse's mouth rather than Crossroads customer service and my dealer.

I so want them to tell me its ok to secure. Your all right about the power awnings..seem counter-intuitive to have to pull it in every time the wind picks up ...around here wind usually is accompanied by rain so it totally defeats the purpose of having an awning.

**Lloyd** · 09-08-2014, 07:50 AM

Mark, what does LCI stand for?

OhioMark · 09-08-2014, 07:55 AM

Lippert Components Inc.

Just called Lippert and they said never secure the awning nor leave it unattended for risk of damage.

So, secure at your own risk I guess is the answer here. Darn, I have a great set of Claw anchors I guess I gotta sell.

Roadie66 · 09-08-2014, 09:09 AM

Gents
Found this on another site....looks like it does the trick for power awnings and no complaints from users. Another project for next year!

http://www.wildcatcamperforum.com/t3...awing+tie+down

johnboytoo · 09-08-2014, 09:23 AM

I have tied down my awnings for years...

even asked my bro-in-law to make me the long hooks pictured below to make it easier...
the top hook is wide enough to slip over the awning roller (have since plasti-dipped it to protect it)
and the bottom holds the industrial strength bungees with carabiners to make it easier to hook up...

the only thing that takes a bit of setup is the ground attachment...
and I've not seen that claw, so may get 3 or 4 of those for my two awnings !

OhioMark · 09-08-2014, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roadie66

Gents
Found this on another site....looks like it does the trick for power awnings and no complaints from users. Another project for next year!

http://www.wildcatcamperforum.com/t3...awing+tie+down

Thanks!!

Now this is cool.

Next project, for sure

concreteman · 09-08-2014, 06:39 PM

I also tie down my electric awning with no problems. I use 2 rachet straps and 2 screw in anchors like you would use to tie out a pet. I set the awning where I want it and tighten the two thumb screws down tight and then attach the rachet straps and tighten. You just have to be careful not to over tighten the straps.

OhioMark · 09-09-2014, 06:35 AM

Great feedback on this thread.

I guess once your out of warranty after a year, it really doesn't matter.

I'd be interested in hearing how long you good people have been anchoring down your electric awnings.

The customer rep at LCI didn't seem to knowledgeable on the matter, rather just reading from the same manual I have already.

I'm guessing they want to remove the human factor that someone will leave their electric awning tied out during severe weather and try to come back on the warranty.

I've personally had a manual awning on our old trailer flip over the top when a breeze caught underneath while i had it out drying in the driveway albeit not tied down. To be honest, it was a warm sunny day, but breezy. Hence my apprehension to tie out my power awning.

I will say the gas struts on the power awning is a better setup than the rigid brackets on the manual. It provides some "give" to the awning support.

**Lloyd** · 09-09-2014, 06:43 AM

I can't see where it would any different anchoring an electric awning, verses a manual awning.
The automatic ones would be a different story.

MEHoffman · 09-09-2014, 07:32 AM

Boy these awning extensions must drive Lippert crazy. Carefree of Colorado 241200 Canopy Extension. BTW Carefree of Colorado also makes electric awnings.

sleepyT · 09-09-2014, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roadie66

Gents
Found this on another site....looks like it does the trick for power awnings and no complaints from users. Another project for next year!

http://www.wildcatcamperforum.com/t3...awing+tie+down

I like this set up. I think it is much more stable than just attaching a couple of tie-down-straps....

You may also like: