AuburnJen 772 Posted July 14, 2011 Report Share Posted July 14, 2011 Here are some examples of people who did not put their awnings down or secure them in a fashion in a Florida wind/rainstorm. The pictures speak for themselves.on this picture, you will have to look closely in the middle, as the water has pooled in the middle of his awning, it snapped later on after I took this picture Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PrincessNana 15 Posted July 14, 2011 Report Share Posted July 14, 2011 There were at least two awnings in the 900 loop and a couple in every loop we checked on. We were lucky because we had dropped one side of our awning, but we didn't put it up. That was a bad storm that came through. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PrincessNana 15 Posted July 14, 2011 Report Share Posted July 14, 2011 There were at least two awnings in the 900 loop and a couple in every loop we checked on. We were lucky because we had dropped one side of our awning, but we didn't put it up. That was a bad storm that came through.I felt so sorry for all those people. What an awful way to end your day at Disney to come home to that. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PureTcrazy...rita 380 Posted July 14, 2011 Report Share Posted July 14, 2011 Dang, those pictures just gave me a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach. I know how that feels. We were in Chatanooga, TN when a freak storm/tornado? came through during the night. We woke up and couldn't open the door because the awning was down over it. It sucks. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Keylime359 2 Posted July 14, 2011 Report Share Posted July 14, 2011 Alan always thinks I am a drama queen when the wind picks up. I will be sure to show him this photographic evidence that I am not making it up! Thanks Jen! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bord1niowa......Curt 79 Posted July 14, 2011 Report Share Posted July 14, 2011 I learned the hard way 2 years ago. Bad news is that doesn't stop it all the time as evidenced by my awning monday....it was closed! Ripped it open.http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq211/bord1niowa/100_5523.jpghttp://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq211/bord1niowa/100_5522.jpghttp://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq211/bord1niowa/100_5521.jpgIt did take 110 - 130 mph winds for 25 minutes to do this. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DaveInTN 3,247 Posted July 14, 2011 Report Share Posted July 14, 2011 We came very close to losing ours during a sudden severe storm a few weeks ago. Luckily I was inside the trailer and was able to get it in before it snapped. With the way it was whipping up and down it wouldn't have lasted long. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
anolefan 8 Posted July 14, 2011 Report Share Posted July 14, 2011 I hate to see these pictures.Being that we own a popup, it is almost impossible to put our awning up during storms. I know that someday we will be on the not so lucky end of a storm. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BouncingTiggers 98 Posted July 14, 2011 Report Share Posted July 14, 2011 I am always afraid a storm will hit while we are away from our trailer. I hope to never see that happen. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
polkadotsuitcase 12 Posted July 14, 2011 Report Share Posted July 14, 2011 Might be a dumb question, but does insurance cover that kind of thing? I feel so badly for those folks! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lizzy Dorie 777 1 Posted July 14, 2011 Report Share Posted July 14, 2011 We went thru a very bad storm in TN., but came out ok. We always lower ours to one side when we leave for the day. It looks like alot of them collasped in the center, I think you just can't take a chance. these storms come out of nowhere. I would have felt sick too coming back to that. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Santa ... Shannon 160 Posted July 14, 2011 Report Share Posted July 14, 2011 I have a somewhat unconventional way of avoiding water collecting in the awning, I leave the rear arm un-braced. The weight of the roller keeps the awning extended, but if rain starts to collect in the awning the arm will swing toward the camper and the awning will become a trough draining at the rear. The only real risk I can think of is in whipping winds the loose arm might be bashed against the camper, and the awning could flap until ripping. I've had none of these problems despite some pretty turbulent weather. Use at your own discretion, milage may vary, results are not typical, no warrantee expressed or implied. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
johnnyb aka John 15 Posted July 14, 2011 Report Share Posted July 14, 2011 I can tell you from personal experience, that 80 mph cross winds while driving at about a max speed of 20 mph, will rip a closed locked and latched awning right off the side of your TT. It sucked, it left us on the side of I-80 in Oh in TORRENTIAL rain with me trying to remove the bent and twisted remains of ours so we could make it the rest of the way home!!! Our insurance paid for the new one, minus the dang deductible of course. :argh: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HillBillyWhisperer 20 Posted July 14, 2011 Report Share Posted July 14, 2011 We went thru a very bad storm in TN., but came out ok. We always lower ours to one side when we leave for the day. It looks like alot of them collasped in the center, I think you just can't take a chance. these storms come out of nowhere. I would have felt sick too coming back to that.I agree. About everyone of those awning where not tilted and snapped from the weigh of water and not wind. The others not sure wind either except maybe one.I strap my awning down and tilt it at least 4 inches. Unless tropical storm speed winds are coming I leave my awning up and out and have never had a probelm. Your normal, typical summer afternoon rain storm...not a problem here and never has been in over 30 years of camping. I can't tell you how many awnings I looked at this past trip that were not tilted. If they were out sitting under the awning I warned them about the possible damage if they did not tilt them. Otherwise, they are just accidents waiting to happen. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
campingpixi 11 Posted July 14, 2011 Report Share Posted July 14, 2011 We always keep our on a tilt and lowered when we leave the campground just in case a freak storm brews while we are gone. It is really sad to see that happend. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Discamper 394 Posted July 14, 2011 Report Share Posted July 14, 2011 This is why I stopped using my awning and now just use 2 EZ-ups if something happen to them it will only cost $79-$97 to replace and willn't damage my RV. That must suck coming back to your RV after a great day at the parks and find this has happen. That could blow all of your vacation $$ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AuburnJen 772 Posted July 14, 2011 Author Report Share Posted July 14, 2011 I agree. About everyone of those awning where not tilted and snapped from the weigh of water and not wind. The others not sure wind either except maybe one.I strap my awning down and tilt it at least 4 inches. Unless tropical storm speed winds are coming I leave my awning up and out and have never had a probelm. Your normal, typical summer afternoon rain storm...not a problem here and never has been in over 30 years of camping. I can't tell you how many awnings I looked at this past trip that were not tilted. If they were out sitting under the awning I warned them about the possible damage if they did not tilt them. Otherwise, they are just accidents waiting to happen.I have seen your set up, and always have been impressed. I do believe that my husband took pointers from you years ago. We actually leave ours up most of the time, but have it strapped down in much the fashion you do. I am looking into getting those straps that you have as an extra precaution as well. That one storm last week was a little too much for even my comfort level. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AuburnJen 772 Posted July 14, 2011 Author Report Share Posted July 14, 2011 This is why I stopped using my awning and now just use 2 EZ-ups if something happen to them it will only cost $79-$97 to replace and willn't damage my RV. That must suck coming back to your RV after a great day at the parks and find this has happen. That could blow all of your vacation $$I talked to a guy who lost three of them in one shot in the 200 loop. He was not a happy camper. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
campingpixi 11 Posted July 14, 2011 Report Share Posted July 14, 2011 oh I bet! :argh: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
disney4dan 68 Posted July 14, 2011 Report Share Posted July 14, 2011 When we were at Assateague Island in April, we got some friendly advice from some regulars to put the awning away every night. Seems it's not uncommon for the wind to pick up fierce at night and has been known to actually tip some trailers on their sides if they leave the awning out. Seemed extreme, but our trailer was being buffeted by some strong gusts at night. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Otter Spotter aka Debbie 58 Posted July 15, 2011 Report Share Posted July 15, 2011 I agree. About everyone of those awning where not tilted and snapped from the weigh of water and not wind. The others not sure wind either except maybe one.I strap my awning down and tilt it at least 4 inches. Unless tropical storm speed winds are coming I leave my awning up and out and have never had a probelm. Your normal, typical summer afternoon rain storm...not a problem here and never has been in over 30 years of camping. I may be jinxing myself but, we've never lost an awning, either. Now, we have an automatic awning that has a wind/weight sensor that will pull the awning in if things get dicey (it works, too). Prior to the auto-awning, we always kept about a 4-5" tilt on our awning. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sensei 18 Posted July 15, 2011 Report Share Posted July 15, 2011 I can tell you from personal experience, that 80 mph cross winds while driving at about a max speed of 20 mph, will rip a closed locked and latched awning right off the side of your TT. It sucked, it left us on the side of I-80 in Oh in TORRENTIAL rain with me trying to remove the bent and twisted remains of ours so we could make it the rest of the way home!!! Our insurance paid for the new one, minus the dang deductible of course. :argh:OK, in my snarkiest mode, That's what you get for going through OHIO.Now back to seriousness. Sorry for your troubles. I guess I'm due for an awning problem in the future since I made light of your post. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sensei 18 Posted July 15, 2011 Report Share Posted July 15, 2011 In all seriousness, Please let your awnings down or take them in when you might have the slightest suspicion that inclement weather may be approaching. I've seen too many people suffer the wrath of a summer storm in Florida. Winds can exceed 60 mph in one of our thunderstorms and I wouldn't want any one to suffer from it.I love all our visitors and want you to have a nice trip.Dang, where did that come from? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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