Awning Tie Down
We love to have our awning out - it provides shade from the blaring sun and gives us a place to get out of the rain when going into and out of our coach. It's like an extra room. But we are always concerned about the wind during a storm and want to make sure it stays put. We have devised a system that we thinks works great and keeps us assured that the awning will not go anywhere.
The first thing we do is put on deflappers. We had been using grid clamps (they are used in suspended ceiling installation) that we got from Home Depot. We put five on each side.
We love to have our awning out - it provides shade from the blaring sun and gives us a place to get out of the rain when going into and out of our coach. It's like an extra room. But we are always concerned about the wind during a storm and want to make sure it stays put. We have devised a system that we thinks works great and keeps us assured that the awning will not go anywhere.
The first thing we do is put on deflappers. We had been using grid clamps (they are used in suspended ceiling installation) that we got from Home Depot. We put five on each side.
Recently we were introduced to actual awning clamps, so we decided to purchase some and give those a try. We clamp the deflappers to the awning and hook them to the awning arm with small bungie cords. This method holds the sides of the awning from flapping during high winds. We put four on each side of the awning and so far, they are working great.
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We also tie down the awning by putting in tent stakes, or four Vortex 8" spiral ground anchors put in the ground (purchased from Home Depot here in Houston), 2 foot rubber heavy duty bungie cords, and cam lock straps.
Two of the straps are put on each end of the awning, and two Camco Fabric Party Light holders that we run through the aluminum roller. (See picture to the left.) The picture displayed below shows six tie downs. There are two on each end; two hooked on each end of the picnic table; and two from each end of the awning at an angle and then hooked to the picnic table. This is a great system and we do not worry about damage to the awning. |
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Since first tying our awning with four tie downs, we have further strengthened our tie downs using six straps. The major change was two cross ties coming from the end strap to either a picnic table leg, or a tent stake. This is a great system and we do not worry about damage to the awning. If we do not have a picnic table available, I still put out six stakes and tie downs, as well as the two cross ties.