High winds and awnings
Hi all, Last week I was on a few days break in the Peak District. We arrived on site on the Saturday parked the van and erected the full size awning. By Monday the weather forecast was for 50mph winds, So Monday morning early I took the awning down. My question is, would my awning stick all this wind ? It was well pegged down and had a storm strap which I had put over it but I was still worried that the wind would have got the better of it. Any comments please I would be grateful for. Thanks
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It's hard to say. On a very windy site in Anglesey, whilst we were out on a day away elsewhere, the wind apparently increased to almost hurricane force, but our rather flimsy old awning was still standing when some of the much more flashy and newer ones were badly damaged. I think local wind conditions (how it whips around other vans/trees/landmarks), the position of your own van, and even awning and pole design has a lot of effect. Personally I would be inclined to do what you do -- take it down - and be safe rather than sorry.
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Hi Dave, I understand your worries - it's one of the reasons I gave up awnings.
I clearly remember the number of times I got up in the night to put in more pegs and straps and tie the darn thing to the car when the mistral flared up. In the end I said do I really need a tent fixed on the side of a caravan and answered no. Most motorhomers are now coming to the same conclusion. Caravans now are so big and so well equipped, but people still want to fix a tent on the van side.
But I bet I can't persuade you !
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A couple of years ago on the Severn Estuary between Cardiff and Newport had winds of 60mph. Storm straps and extra guy ropes do help, plus a storm prop inside on the corner pole, lots of rocking but the awning stayed up.
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Does depend on conditions, how van and awning are pitched/ strapped down, and how robust awning actually is. Flimsy awning...take it down. We have survived stronger than 50 mph, but hunkered down using car as a wind deflector. Recall some vans up at St Agnes lost their complete awnings in a howler of a gale up there, likewise when camping at Hexham Racecourse one time there were lots of badly damaged awnings. It the site is open and exposed, probably best to take down.
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Many years ago,we stayed at what was then a "Trax" site Hexham? race course and we had our awning up in high winds and it stayed in one piece, but two other c/vans had theirs damaged on one it was torn off the side of the c/van and took some of the c/van with it, we were just in the lee of some stables otherwise it would probably have been worse, My point being that in any strong wind situation, it depends on where you are pitched on site,
We have had one awning destroyed in high winds while on a site in Kent ,but the cc insurance had a new one sent to us the following day
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It isn't worth risking it and awnings aren't cheap. At a site last week we witnessed a lot of damage to awnings and equipment in high winds. Some awning had been left up on unoccupied seasonal pitches. We were worried our van would get hit by flying debris. We saw the after effects of a storm at the Bunree site a few years ago, stuff all over the site. The site we were staying on last week wasn't a CC site. We've lost two awning ourselves at St Agnes. I'd rather sleep than worry about an awning blowing away.
Here's a photo from last week, the owners got called out from home to remove the pile which had been secured with aquarolls etc.
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Thanks to you all who answered my question. I feel happy in my own mind that I took the awning down. I think if I had left it up I would have been worrying all the time if the next gust would be the one. It was bad enough sitting in the caravan being rocked by the wind and rain. Fortunately now days we all have mobile phones where we can get the weather forecast for the next hour so it does take away some of the guess work. Thanks again.
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We are of the "Take it down" type after having many a night's sleep ruined by the creaking of awning poles and the constant worry. Ironically last week we were away on a CL in the west of England and had a porch awning up in those gales. We were quite sheltered on the CL as they had high trees on the edge and we faced the awning due east. Not a peep. Quite amazed.
We usually have a canopy awning up and often take the actual canopy down and leave the poles in situ and then replace the canopy when the wind drops. 5 minutes work each time. Works a treat.
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Hi Dave, sorry for missing your issue with regards to High winds v Awnings. You will see from my member picture and name that I am well familiar with your dilemma. I have been camping for over 49 years and had every possible experience thrown at me and my family.
You have only one positive action if you are forewarned about strong winds, take your Awning down.
However, caravanners don’t always get this warning or, if they are seasonal, they may be many miles away at home, therefore, you have to secure your Awning with the best device available and in the correct procedure.
I am unable to promote my storm poles on this site, but if you wish to read my latest blogs, especially this years as there have been exceptional storms which have all failed to cause any damages to my customers awnings, google me or message me direct as I may help you.
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I reckon he’s sussed it by now, AHM.
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I am unable to promote my storm poles on this site, but if you wish to read my latest blogs, especially this years as there have been exceptional storms which have all failed to cause any damages to my customers awnings, google me or message me direct as I may help you.
Well, that's one way of getting round the T&C's!!
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Yeah! Not very subtle really.
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Turned up to a site in Southern France the night after a severe storm. Scenes of total devastation with over half the awnings and canopies destroyed and much resulting damage to vans from the loose poles etc.I would never leave a canopy without storm straps and would be cautious of an awning in high winds and would probably fit storm straps.
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The Best advice I can give is if you have sufficient warning take the awning down saves a lot of worry and damage in the long run. We got caught out at Bunree a few years back, ended up taking the awning down in the middle of the night, Not an experience I want to repeat!
one of the other vanners didn't and their awning was found allegedly in Ballahulish! Me, the seams on the van had eased apart and was always susceptible to damp.
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