A beginners question
Hello everybody. We are new to motor homing, been away for a few nights twice now and have enjoyed it.
My question for all you experienced people is about awnings. I know we should never use it when it's windy, nor leave it up when not there or asleep, in case wind picks up. What we wondered is whether it is OK to use it in the rain, and if it is whether it is acceptable to put it away when wet, as long as we dry it out when we can?
Many thanks.
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Well from a caravan point of view (as I don't have a HM) we use ours regardless of the weather, we went to weymouth a couple of weeks ago and although it was breezy when I put it up, it stayed up when the wind really picked up without any storm straps. I am not sure I would have tried to put it up in the high wind though. I do put mine away when it's wet but do open it up when home to dry it out, so that's OK.
The leaving it up bit I can't answer as we dont have a MH, but you can get awnings that state are drive away, so guess you can leave them up when you go off site for a while.
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a wind put canopy can be very sensitive to gusts of wind.
we have storm straps (with substantial moorings) which we put on if we think the awning will be in use in poorer or windier weather.
however, as it only takes about 1 minute to get the winder out and park it securely, not much point in leaving it out overnight and fretting about it.
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Bolero Boys First point is well made !!
Are we talking about Wind-out awnings or the Full 3 - Course jobbies which are really no ( or very little ) different from Frame Tents, and can be treated just the same.
The wind-outs can be Storm Strapped, something I always do, and I also have one leg a little lower** so that should it rain, it won't make the top "Belly" due to a puddle forming, but the water will drop off on the low corner { not some where to park your wellies of course
! }** Thats the awning of course not yours truly
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All great advice thanks. Yes its a wind out and we can peg it down, but storm straps migh be a good idea too. I take it ABM, you leave it out in the rain then, the low corner is a good shout.
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I use my awning (wind out 'sunblind' type) for shade, but more especially in the rain as it provides a dry entry point to the camper in wet weather and somewhere to leave table, chairs, boots, hang up wet coats, washing etc. and sit outside for breakfast or with a brew or a sundowner or use a BBQ. Invaluable.
I do wind it in when wet but there's usually a dry spell within a day or two to dry it off. It does have a slightly grubby appearance though from when that wasn't possible. I might clean it one day.
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That's exactly the advice I was hoping for thanks.
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If it does get a belly of rain in it, be careful which way you're moving when you reach up and shove it to reduce the weight of water! Some medieval style tents have just the same canopy idea, sans roller.
At an event I was working on a torrential day, a woman came out from the neighbouring tent during a break in the rain, reached up to push the water off, slipped in the mud, and arrived flat on her back exactly as a gallon or two of icy water landed on her midriff.
Superbly entertaining swearing followed.0
