High winds

[Denise4]

At what stage do you start worrying about the awning in strong winds. At Easter we were blessed with good weather. Our next trip is May BH. Tonight it is very windy (Cornwall) and I have been thinking would we have taken the awning down by now. Whats the guide. Thanks Denise.

 

[BrianStAlbans]

Denise, I think taking an awning down in high winds would be more dangerous than leaving it up. Make sure all the pegs are secure ,invest in an awning tie down kit, either the type that goes right over the top of the awning or the ones that clip at either end if your awning has this set up. I also fit extra guy ropes to the centre pole, as I have a 1050 awning, for extra security. I have in very strong winds positioned the car (high sided 4x4 )as a windbreak. I fit the straps etc all the time whatever the weather as it could get windy without warning during the night or when you are off site during the day . Brian

 

[Wendy-Norfolk]

Denise

If you do have to take an awning down in a high wind, be sure to leave the awning pegged down and dismantle the frame first. This will stop the awning from blowing up and doing untold damage to your 'van.

We have actually taken the awning down in very high winds a couple of times. Once was many years ago and this was on Bodmin Moor, where the wind got up during the night. It was the tale end of some or other hurricane, and again in Inverewe Gardens CC&C site about four years ago.

 

[JTQ]

Denise

It depends a lot on the awning make/quality and the type. A full awning in my experience is far more capable than a porch or part awning. The heavier the fabric the better seems the general trend; my old Isabella Ambassador full awning coped in a storm whereas my neighbours Bradcot Classic was much more affected and they chicken out during the night. Never had in nearly 30 years to take it down in wind; however on occassions its rocked the van so much that we would have had a better night had we done so.

We dont use a storm strap as Isabella are against the external ones, but we use both external and when needed internal guys using what I think Isabella call Hurrican guys. We also have an Isabella Magnum part awning and one of there old portches, not so confident with theses as they have not got a fixing to the van on one or both sides and so the sides flap.

From observation of seeing other users, the light part awnings with hoop frames seem to be by far the least capable in storms.

 

[Denise4]

Thanks everyone, that makes me feel a lot better. Our awning is big (1025) but we haven't got a tie down kit so I think one of those is next on the list. Why are some manufacturers against these?. Denise

 

[Wendy-Norfolk]

Some manufacturers do not recommend the use of storm straps because they cause friction, and can damage the fabric.

Alot of the new awnings e.g. Dorema, have the storm strap attachment already on. You have to by the actual storm strap as an extra. All you then have to do is clip into the receiver on the awning, peg down and tension.

 

[bill_5078178]

Denise, If you get a tie down kit, then buy a couple or three cheap sponges and put then under the tie down where they touch the canvas of your awning. Voila!! No friction on your awning. Regards Bill.

 

[Lol1]

Makes you wonder what damage is being done to the awning rail and the sealant underneath when you have your awning up in windy conditions.

 

[JTQ]

Denise,

Isabella do a strap tie down, however it fits inside the awning between the frame and the canvas. This avoids the strap fretting on the canvas,and also the localised pressure points from an externally located strap working the canvas on the frame. This latter abrasion point would not be protected completely by using sponges with an extenal strap.

I have not got either the Isabella strap or an external one or felt the need for them. The awning itself is very capable without them.

 

[Allyson]

I rang an insurance company the other day for a quote on anew caravan, and they said they would not cover the awning for storm or flood damage only the van would be covered.

So read the small print and make sure your covered.

 

[ThePlotter]

Lol you make a good point that has occured to me a dew times when the wind has given the awning or canopy a hard time,depending on the wind direction the awning is both pushed and pulled as you say it must put a great strain on the rail and sealant.It would be interesting to know if water ingress from this area is more prevalent on the awning side,maybe a topic PC could pick up instead of screwdrivers,sorry didnt mean to be controversial!

 

[JTQ]

Lol you make a good point that has occured to me a dew times when the wind has given the awning or canopy a hard time,depending on the wind direction the awning is both pushed and pulled as you say it must put a great strain on the rail and sealant.It would be interesting to know if water ingress from this area is more prevalent on the awning side,maybe a topic PC could pick up instead of screwdrivers,sorry didnt mean to be controversial!

Certainly the rail loosens on the tight bends as we found we developed leaks at these two points on our 11 year old Castleton. They were external to the van, just beads of water appearing on the external caravan wall when using the awning in heavy rain.

Now this van used awning rail screwed on the van side, our Hymer has the rail screwed at 90 degs to this, i.e. onto the roof and both front and back. This latter arrangement places the awning forces as shear on the fixing screws, rather than as tension in the former arrangement. From this point of view that appears a better method; time will tell.

 

[chelsea1]

We have just returned from Wareham forest touring park this weekend, it was our 1st ever caravan trip and the weather was ABSOULTELY AWFUL, on Friday night we had from 6pm about 10 hours of constant rain and 60 MPH GALES....our little sunncamp porch awning survived all of this!!

I dont think the weather could get any worse than what we have just had...i will not worry from now on!!

 

[Royston]

We have just returned from Wareham forest touring park this weekend, it was our 1st ever caravan trip and the weather was ABSOULTELY AWFUL, on Friday night we had from 6pm about 10 hours of constant rain and 60 MPH GALES....our little sunncamp porch awning survived all of this!!

I dont think the weather could get any worse than what we have just had...i will not worry from now on!!

Hi sarah,

Thanks for your info regarding your awning, standing up to the heavy winds and rain, we bought the same model took it with us to Clumber Park, so easy to erect and dismantle, we had slight rain during our stay we wondered how durable the awning was under heavy winds we will sleep easier now.

Roy