Awning Flapping

[Simon Meadwell]

Hi
Away in lakes got wind out awning out strapped down with storm straps.
How do you stop the material flapping kept us awake all night and not even very windy?

 

[canopus]

Wind the awning back in is the only sure way IMO.

 

[mike mcglynn]

Hi, you can buy a centre pole for most wind outs ,or you can get from the USA a pair of deflappers which are like giant clothes pegs that clip to the arms and the awning material. But if its windy at night I would wind it in and sleep much better its really the only safe way ,I have seen two wrecked wind outs in skips when on my travels.

 

[Mikey RV]

Don’t leave it out is the only way if it’s windy. If the wind takes it you are looking at a lot of damage and a big bill.

 

[Two on Tour]

We use a curved centre rafter pole that helps in lighter winds, but the only guaranteed way as stated is to wind it in over night.

http://www.rainbow-conversions.co.uk/awning-accessories/fiamma-curved-rafter-pro.html

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[Riverbankannie]

Think of it as a sun shade, wind in when sun not shining !

 

[Parrot Face]

We ran a strap over the awning and pegged it down each side. That limits the flapping and also helps secure it in wind but the best way as everyone says is to take it in. Storm straps shouldn't be called 'Storm straps' as these awnings wouldn't survive any really strong winds. the more you fasten them down for the wind the more likely any storm is to break the legs.
'

 

[Clarky]

Never leave ours out unless we are very, very sure that there will be no wind and then it is really well held down.
Been out once in the middle of the night winding the awning in when the wind suddenly got up.

Richard.

 

[DangerMousy]

Think of it as a sun shade, wind in when sun not shining !

We don't have a wind out awning - we use a tarp instead which is mostly used as a rain shelter rather than a sun shade. But we're thinking of changing our MH soon and there's a fair chance the new one will come with a wind out awning - can they be used in the rain or are they really just for shade from the sun?

 

[Allanm]

A few years ago, we lost our awning
Even though I pegged the legs securely into the ground on a day with very light winds, a gust blew the awning over the van and ruined it.
We now use our awning, securely pegged down, when there is no wind. We would never leave it out overnight or if we weren’t in the van.
An expensive lesson learned.

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[Kingham]

........- can they be used in the rain or are they really just for shade from the sun?

In the UK, mine is mostly used as a rain shelter, but apparently they can be safely used in the sun too

Just remember to leave one of the legs lower than the other, so rain water runs off and doesn’t pool.

 

[Sundowners]

We never put ours out without fitting the rafters---- also use two BIG pegs and light ratchet straps all the time it is out-----++ always have one end lower to stop rain pooling, but really with rafters we have found that is not necessary -------- we we have seen too many go over the roof or collapse under the weight of rain-------- I would say that they should not be sold without rafters!!!!!!!
I don't think 'de flappers' can be used on our wind out awnings????

 

[Riverbankannie]

We don't have a wind out awning - we use a tarp instead which is mostly used as a rain shelter rather than a sun shade. But we're thinking of changing our MH soon and there's a fair chance the new one will come with a wind out awning - can they be used in the rain or are they really just for shade from the sun?

They can be left in rain as long as it’s not windy and you peg down both the legs and use storm straps. Adjust the legs so that there is a sideways slope for the rain water to run off. Although you might think the slope away from the van is sufficient, the rain tends to belly. An extra centre support rail helps as do extra side rails.
You can also get clips to attach the awning fabric to extra side rails which helps with flapping but too much of a faff for us.

Edit sorry to above posters who have already answered your question, I just skipped direct to answering!

 

[peterc10]

After seeing one go over the top and the damage it caused I am now ultra-cautious and always wind them in unless I am pretty sure there is going to be no wind, even though I use storm straps..

 

[Simon Meadwell]

Thanks everyone will try a rafter pole and also be mindful to wind in at night

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[jezport]

You need a rafter pole either end and then these https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/113718519029
We sell a lot of rafter poles and deflapper kits at shows, and use them our selves.

 

[Jaws]

Thanks everyone will try a rafter pole and also be mindful to wind in at night

I use a tie down kit at either end AND a strap length wise right over the awning.. Stops flapping completely and has added security

Tip.. when pegging down the straps ( any straps ) put a twist in them. Stops them 'thrumming' in the wind

 

[The Cruisers]

Going off subject slightly - when winding the awning out are you supposed to wind out so that the arms are absolutely straight?

 

[jezport]

Going off subject slightly - when winding the awning out are you supposed to wind out so that the arms are absolutely straight?

no

 

[Simon Meadwell]

Jezport
Your system looks great
My awning is omnistor and there poles look to go across to support the sag not downwards will your poles fit omnistor?

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[The Lord Squid]

Does it cause a problem if the awning is wound in when wet, assuming it is wound out again to dry once the wind stops?

 

[peterc10]

Does it cause a problem if the awning is wound in when wet, assuming it is wound out again to dry once the wind stops?

No problem as long as you do not keep it in too long before winding out to dry. If you do you may get some mildew forming.

 

[Sundowners]

You need a rafter pole either end and then these https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/113718519029
We sell a lot of rafter poles and deflapper kits at shows, and use them our selves.

I would think that having a rafter at each end would encourage pooling???????
We always fit them a few feet from each end, works well for us!!

 

[The Lord Squid]

No problem as long as you do not keep it in too long before winding out to dry. If you do you may get some mildew forming.

Many thanks.

 

[Two on Tour]

Going off subject slightly - when winding the awning out are you supposed to wind out so that the arms are absolutely straight?

We wind ours out until the awning material just tensions up. Winding out past this point and the material goes slack again.

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[peterc10]

We wind ours out until the awning material just tensions up. Winding out past this point and the material goes slack again.

I think the method used will depend upon the awning. The Fiamma on our previous van worked like that. But we have an Omnistor and the way it works is when it full out you flick over a lever on each leg which locks it into the front rail and stops it sliding. You then wind it back in a little against the lock to tension the fabric. Having said that our awning is 5m wide and I am not sure if the shorter ones have that lock system.

 

[MillieMoocher]

I think the method used will depend upon the awning. The Fiamma on our previous van worked like that. But we have an Omnistor and the way it works is when it full out you flick over a lever on each leg which locks it into the front rail and stops it sliding. You then wind back it in a little against the lock to tension the fabric. Having said that our awning is 5m wide and I am not sure if the shorter ones have that lock system.

This is what we do too. But until a Funsters pointed this out to me, I didn’t know you should do this and so had a baggy canopy which would flap in the slightest of breezes.

We are also in the camp of considering it more of it as a sunshade so if it’s not sunny/we are going out/it’s night time it gets wound in.

 

[M-J]

Got our canopy out at the weekend, someone sat under it then farted and it nearly took off so we put it away.

 

[jezport]

I would think that having a rafter at each end would encourage pooling???????
We always fit them a few feet from each end, works well for us!!

Been setting up this way for over 10 years. No flapping and no pooling!!!!!!!
It's common sense to have one side slightly elevated so water cant pool!!!!!!!!!!!!
Privacy rooms would look silly if fitted a few feet in from either end.
Plus if 2 rafter poles are fitted you need them more or less inline with the legs, if you move them in and have a strong gust the front awning case can be twisted. 1 rafter in the centre will stop pooling but not stop flapping as you create a see-saw effect.

 

[TheBig1]

beware throwing a strap over the fabric of a wind out awning. It stretches the edges of the fabric and can lead to a tear in the awning

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