Shelter from the rain.....?

[AndyPK]

We’re off to Salisbury for Christmas and, what a surprise, the forecast is for rain every day! That won’t stop us from going out (with four dogs, we have to!), but it’s always a pain when we get back to the van and dry them off outside, before they rush in and rub themselves against everything to get dry. I don’t want to take the Kampa awning as it will be a faff to put up in the rain, so I was wondering if we could use the Dometic awning on the ‘van, but only rolled-out partway (say a metre) to give us some shelter by the hab. door? How stable would it be, and are they meant to be used part way, or only fully deployed?
Have any other Funsters overcome the issue by use of, say, a porch awning like the a Sunncamp Swift canopy, or some such similar......?

 

[klaatu]

We’ve often used our awning partly rolled out to provide shelter just outside the door, just remember to slope it so the rain runs off. In fact we were doing that yesterday - heavy rain in this part of Portugal - but it started to get windy so I went out in the pouring rain to wind it in.

 

[David and Sally]

Great question.

We have just taken down our 'permanent' drive-away awning for winter but was thinking along exactly these lines for a bit of shelter.

 

[AndyPK]

We’ve often used our awning partly rolled out to provide shelter just outside the door, just remember to slope it so the rain runs off. In fact we were doing that yesterday - heavy rain in this part of Portugal - but it started to get windy so I went out in the pouring rain to wind it in.

If the awning were pegged-down with storm straps, would it be much less prone to damage if only part rolled-out, or would it still be too much of a risk.....?

Andy

 

[nicholsong]

We only secure awning when partly or fully out by tying it to the heavy tool box. Quicker than straps to pegs etc.

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[Richard n Ann]

Our fiamma awning has a telescopic 'Rafter' that's available separately, it makes it a lot more stable, then I ratchet strap it down and it stays like that for 6 weeks. Would only wind it in for high winds.

 

[Reallyretired]

If only partly wound out there is less sail area for the wind. We usually have ours wound out a metre or so in the rain unless very windy.

 

[klaatu]

If the awning were pegged-down with storm straps, would it be much less prone to damage if only part rolled-out, or would it still be too much of a risk.....?

Andy

We have storm straps, and the rafter that fits perpendicular to the side of the van, so the actual structure seems safe, but I still worry about the way the canvas flaps in the wind. I’m considering getting one of those lateral “stretchers” or whatever they’re called.

 

[Richard n Ann]

We have storm straps, and the rafter that fits perpendicular to the side of the van, so the actual structure seems safe, but I still worry about the way the canvas flaps in the wind. I’m considering getting one of those lateral “stretchers” or whatever they’re called.

I put a ratchet strap loosely over the top half way down to reduce that annoying flapping. Makes it better.

 

[TheBig1]

I find if plotted up for a week or more in winter, a caravan porch awning slid into the slot under the roll out canopy is ideal for wet coats, dogs and muddy boots

I dont like the modern lightweight jobs either, we have an ancient isabella winter porch with steel frame. this has survived storms, sheet ice and snow without fault

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[Kingham]

I often partially deploy mine in heavy rain, just to provide a bit of extra protection over the side door.

If it’s windy, I only wind it out 12” to 18” otherwise I’m happy with it at 36” unsupported.

Other than the slope of the pitch, there’s no way to control the slope of the awning when it’s only partially deployed. Once it’s fully out, with the legs extended and anchored, it is practical to keep one leg shorter than the other to stop rain water pooling.

 

[PeteH]

Strangely, I did this recently on the driveway, as it was raining and I needed to replace the mat in the doorway. Wound it out until it just touched the wall then cracked it back. Put the legs out and left it. Worked fine, BUT no wind (to speak of).

 

[AndyPK]

Ok, Christmas is over, and we spent it near ‘Old Sarum’ in Wiltshire. I rolled-out the awning to about 4 feet, attached 4 storm straps to the awning front rail, and put foot plates over the awning leg feet held down with four rock pegs per plate.....and sat back to enjoy the festivities! Monday was dry with a gentle breeze; Tuesday was wet and breezy (15-18 mph); Christmas Day was sunny and calm; Thursday was awful - heavy rain and strong winds, gusting to 40+ mph, and today has been dull with light winds. So, did the awning survive?
Yes, it did! Apart from a bit of ‘flapping’ when the wind was really strong, the straps and plates held firm......but I must admit to feeling a little apprehensive during the day yesterday when the wind was pretty strong! It would have been a different story if the awning had been fully deployed, but, as I just wanted a bit of protection from the rain over the hab. door, that was never my intention, so all well and good!

 

[Shrimp]

Our fiamma awning has a telescopic 'Rafter' that's available separately, it makes it a lot more stable, then I ratchet strap it down and it stays like that for 6 weeks. Would only wind it in for high winds.

ditto,
We have the ‘rafter‘ too and rachet straps-one from the top of each leg to pegs via a strong spring.
We still bring it in if wind is too strong, we ’lost’ a wind out awning years ago!