Storm Straps (1 Viewer)

[Khizzie]

Just how good are fiamma storm straps at holding canopies. Down in this horrendous wind.??

 

[Mack100]

I was thinking of buying some yesterday but I've decided if it's windy enough for storm straps then it's too windy to have the awning out at all.

 

[Old Soldier]

I would not risk having an awning out in any stormy weather. You only need one peg to work itself loose and the awning will do really serious damage to the side and possibly roof of the van. Moderateto light winds, provided they are really pegged and secured well are reasonably ok but you must be the decider, only you know the ground and weather conditions. On top of that, if you have not made allowance for the rainwater to drain off quickly then your awning might split or the awning structure and poles could be damaged.

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[Deleted member 29692]

We use the tie down kit whenever the awning is out. I wouldn't be overly concerned in this wind if I was there to keep an eye on it but I wouldn't leave it overnight or unattended in this. If it's calm weather it stays out all the time.

You definitely should have one end lower than the other for rain to drain off. It won't do any damage as the arms and legs are designed to move but, as I found out the hard way once, if the water collects in the middle it will sag in the middle, usually in front of your hab door so you can't get out The traditional thing then is to not think about where you are standing when you lower one end to let it drain off so that it drains straight onto your head

 

[Khizzie]

I am aware of the danger,bur unfortunately I left my awning/canopy out yesterday and now too afraid to try and wind it in if I release the storm straps I will have no control whatsoever.

 

[Old Soldier]

I am aware of the danger,bur unfortunately I left my awning/canopy out yesterday and now too afraid to try and wind it in if I release the storm straps I will have no control whatsoever.

Are you on your own, can you not enlist some help?

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[Don Quixote]

Today is NOT a good day to have awning out. Sitting next to a caravan here and he has been outside trying to keep it down since 9am. The straps are great on and average day to "make safe" but common sense is cheaper................

 

[Don Quixote]

I am aware of the danger,bur unfortunately I left my awning/canopy out yesterday and now too afraid to try and wind it in if I release the storm straps I will have no control whatsoever.

Then use as many pegs as you can with whatever string you have and hope for the best.

 

[magicsurfbus]

..and wear a parachute just in case.

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[Old Soldier]

If no help available.
1. Consider the wind so far, is it likely to get worse, how have your storm straps and ground pegs stood up so far?
2. If you decide to take it down try to get help first.
3. Consider the risks involved.
4. If you have to take it down in strong wind. Check your pegs are in tightly, if you can reduce the height of your legs, one at a time as low as you can and try to keep tension on all your straps. Bring your legs in towards the van and try to roll in some of the canopy slowly. If you have the leg mounts mounted on the bottom of the van see if you can clamp the leg feet to the van and as quickly as possible roll up any slack in the awning.
I cannot emphasise the need to get help and have a few burly chaps holding the front of the awning down as low as possible whilst you get it in.
Good luck, let us know how you get on

 

[TheTwoOfUs]

One other thing to watch out for is that the awning can also blow down, causing damage. If you really pull down hard on the straps and the wind catches it just right it will force the awning legs to "collapse" and you can end up with a damaged front rail. I know it happened to me. Had the full safari room out and securely pegged all the way round so no danger of it taking off when a strong gust came and forced it downwards. I now have inserts which I put into the legs so that they can't be forced down and then I tension the straps against these.

 

[Cyclewalkbob]

If you read the fiamma instructions for an awning use, they say they should not be used in high wind. Indeed there is an electric awning, made by the opposition, that actually winds itself in in a higher than recommended wind.

I have actually seen an awning being whipped up by the wind. The couple were putting it out in a high wind, why do that I never know, and the wind got under it and the whole thing landed on his roof.
The side housing came away and I think they would have been lucky if it had not damaged the side panel.
In the end they managed to unscrew the side casing and put the whole thing on the floor.

As the chap said " there's £1200 down the drain."

So what I do now is put the awning out using the tie down straps, if in any doubt on out high winds I roll it in, rather than rely on the straps.

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[Khizzie]

Thanks for all your help.the straps have so far held firm un 51kph winds .i do have the sides and front fiamma.windstoppers on and well pegged,Down. .forecast says wind easing over next few hours so I hope all will be ok

 

[StefAndDi]

I had a Fiamma awning on my last motorhome, and I used
tie-downs all the time, whatever the weather.
Another Fiamma accessory which is a very useful is the 'foot pad kit' which consists of heavy duty plastic plates which fit over the feet of the awning legs and anchor them firmly to the ground. I think I paid less than a tenner for them.
Stef.

 

[Old Soldier]

That's good to hear.

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[Old Soldier]

Indeed there is an electric awning, made by the opposition, that actually winds itself in in a higher than recommended wind.

Interesting. How does that work if it is pegged down or do you not peg it down and hope it works?

 

[StefAndDi]

I had a Fiamma awning on my last motorhome, and I used
tie-downs all the time, whatever the weather.
Another Fiamma accessory which is a very useful is the 'foot pad kit' which consists of heavy duty plastic plates which fit over the feet of the awning legs and anchor them firmly to the ground. I think I paid less than a tenner for them.
Stef.

I'm no good at posting links, but on the Fiamma website they are described as 'Fiammastor Kit Awning Plates', product code 29204NOVA, priced at £9.75 including pegs. There are pictures and a video if interested.
Stef.

 

[Old Soldier]

I'm no good at posting links, but on the Fiamma website they are described as 'Fiammastor Kit Awning Plates', product code 29204NOVA, priced at £9.75 including pegs. There are pictures and a video if interested.
Stef.

Thanks for this. Just ordered a set. Must emphasise that awnings should be taken down in strong winds but hope that they will provide some additional security if the winds do get up a bit unexpectedly.

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[Khizzie]

Thabks

Thanks for this. Just ordered a set. Must emphasise that awnings should be taken down in strong winds but hope that they will provide some additional security if the winds do get up a bit unexpectedly.

Thanks for the link,and yes I do have a pair and they are on the legs,.so I am,well strapped down.and bonus wind has backed a little,just smaller less,harsh gusts about 38kph instead of 50kph.so fingers crossed.and once again thanks for all the advice funsters...Roy

 

[Jaws]

When we are plotted up for any length of time straps are always used.. Its all well and good saying don't have the awning out in high wind but wind is no respector of time of day or if you have gone out for the day !
Lost count of the times we have gone to bed after enjoying a beautiful evening, only to be woken with a horrendous storm in play !!

 

[Robert Clark]

On he Fiama website they are only advised for use in light winds and should not be used if strong winds are expected

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[sdc77]

We always use straps..better safe than sorry and. ... They are great for hanging lights on

 

[JACQ]

We must be the biggest cowards as we've never left the awning out unattended, not even to take the dogs for a quick walk on a hot and sunny day. Definitely wouldn't leave it out overnight either. The thought of having our beloved motorhome damaged is too much of a deterrent. Don't like parking next to someone who leaves theirs out unattended either.