Wind out awnings.

[Wingingit#1]

Is there a way that people have found to stop your windout creaking in the breeze?
We have a Thule omnister and dispite being pegged, strapped and very little breeze still drives me mad all night if i leave it out .
Is there another answer other than putting it away each night ?

 

[Mikey RV]

In a word no. You either put it away or get earplugs.

 

[Bobby-gg]

Yup, it's recommended to put it away - I was caught out once leaving it out and the wind got up, getting up in the early hours to wind it back in is no fun

 

[Hawkstone]

We have made soooo many 3am wind ins because we misjudged the weather and it’s not fun. As a result we never leave it wound out.

 

[Lenny HB]

If its windy enough for it to creak its too risky to leave it out.

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[carolyn]

We only leave it out if we’ve got the side bits on and are staying a few days. As others have said just wind it in, not worth the risk.

 

[berni109]

Is it flapping or is it the frame joints creaking?
I have successfully used a carbon fibre extendable pole (fishing) with foam pipe lagging across the centres of the side arms to stop flapping in a strong breeze/slight wind. Think u can buy what is called a longitudinal rafter from one of the awning manufacturers. Still wound it in whenever the wind was stronger.
Try silicone grease sparingly on the joints for creaking.

 

[Wingingit#1]

Thanks guys , it was forecast to get up to 5mph overnight and currently meant to be 2mph .
Yes been out there at 3am in the past so i always check the forecast if i'm thinking of leaving it out ....have seen them wrapped over the top and beaten the sides of vans before ...not good.
So ive watched it, barely any movement at all and its creak,creak...creak still .
Seems to be more where the roller is fixed at the side of the van .
These bits -

 

[boroboy]

I left my awning out on a windless night in France this year, the wind came in the night and as a result it rocked the van in the early hours and ripped the awning. It is the cost of the new one now fitted that will make me put it away every night from now on.

 

[Wingingit#1]

I saw one last year that ripped a whole in the side of a guys van

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[L' Hobo]

I too have seen an awning, left out and blown completely over the roof of the M/H while still attached to it.
This was in France and the couple had to cut short their holiday because it had torn away part of the roof securing point and the legs damaged the skylight.

I think the instructions by the manufacturers is, 'Never leave an awning out unattended', I certainly haven't since.

 

[Wingingit#1]

Ok i reckon the general consensus is i just have wind it in then

 

[Southend]

We are the same as other posters. It only takes a few minutes to wind in before bed and have been caught out by wind and rain. We always carry our awning straps but these have become another "essential" that we rarely use. Always wind in if the weather is too changeable.

 

[poppycamper]

Ok i reckon the general consensus is i just have wind it in then

Yep 🌬🌬🌬🌬

 

[Simon Meadwell]

In the south of france the mistral winds can strike at any time we allways tie down. The problem in the med is the awning helps shade the fridge so you need it out at least in the day.

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[BillyKontiki]

Even when we go into town we wind it in.

 

[autorouter]

I agree generally with not leaving the awning out unattended. But there is a way to stop it creaking. I first tried the central rafter, but there was still creaking as the awning bar kind of rotated around the central rafter end.

So I got two more of the rafters. and fitted them at the ends of the awning bar. I had to fix the fittings onto the awning bar and the MH end, but that was quite easy. Now the whole awning is a rigid frame, with the legs tied down with pegs. I have some guy lines, but don't usually use them - I'll wind the awning in instead. It doesn't stop the fabric from flapping, but that's the only thing that moves.

 

[L' Hobo]

In the south of france the mistral winds can strike at any time we allways tie down. The problem in the med is the awning helps shade the fridge so you need it out at least in the day.

Another feature of my Murvi that I love, my fridge is just behind my L/H/S rear door. Easy to access rear if repair is needed and just reverse up to buildings or trees if shade is required.

 

[Spriddler]

I always wind mine in as I only ever stop for a couple of nights and just put out a folding ali table and two chairs which I slide under the m/h.
It would be a different task for some I've seen whose area under the awning resembles a branch of GO Outdoors.

 

[TDub49]

Even when we go into town we wind it in.

Tricky driving with it wound out I guess

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[Wingingit#1]

We have it out mainly to shade to dog and then attach a sail to one end if the awning isnt enough shelter for her .
Next comes out the carpet, table and chairs and then its just laziness that stops me putting it all away each night .
I'll shall get less crap out and put it away each night from now on

 

[L' Hobo]

We have it out mainly to shade to dog and then attach a sail to one end if the awning isnt enough shelter for her .
Next comes out the carpet, table and chairs and then its just laziness that stops me putting it all away each night .
I'll shall get less crap out and put it away each night from now on

some people leave the stuff out, slide the seats under the van and just wind the awning in.

 

[Wingingit#1]

Way too many cats around here theyd just stick of cat piss if i left them underneath i reckon .

 

[L' Hobo]

Way too many cats around here theyd just stick of cat piss if i left them underneath i reckon .

I thought you were talking about on campsites.

 

[Just smiffy]

Get some storm straps….

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[Guigsy]

We had issues with a creaking canopy. I've done the 3am wind-in in my PJs several times.

Through trial and error, I've figured out that tie-downs and a Fiamma Magic Rafter Pro (the one that goes between the arms) drastically reduces creaking and flapping.