please help me find awning pole mod

[Gabe]

OK I'm offically discouraging anyone from doing this mod if they are ever in any sort of storm. I've had two storms come through and have had two bent poles and now I will be awningless this weekend.

For those whom have had good luck with this then more power to ya, these poles obviously aren' made to withstand any sort of storm.

[dthurk]

OK I'm offically discouraging anyone from doing this mod if they are ever in any sort of storm. I've had two storms come through and have had two bent poles and now I will be awningless this weekend.
 
 For those whom have had good luck with this then more power to ya, these poles obviously aren' made to withstand any sort of storm.

Gabe-

Did you ever try to tie them down?  We use a couple of the screw-in dog stakes and a couple of rachet tie down straps over the ends of our awning.  Any time we see bad weather rolling in we tie it down.  It wasn't expensive at all to do, much cheaper than the tie down kits you'd buy in any RV store.  We do have a TT, not a PUP, so the support arms are quite a bit beefier than what you have on your PUP, but nonetheless, I would think tying it down would help it weather a storm considerably better.

[wavery]

OK found another issue, there is no give and everything is attached hard to the PU so as I found out last night when a big wind comes along and I do mean big something has to give. I bent yes bent a pole. If it was just staked down they would have just pulled out and I likley would have to replace a pole.

I had a big gust of wind take mine out of the ground (and it was really staked well). It flung the awning on top of my trailer. It poked 3 small holes in my roof (others have had worse) and bent all of the poles and the main brace to the point that NOTHING could be salvaged.

My point is.......be thankful that you did the "Mod". It could have been much worse.

BTW.....in most cases, when the wind is blowing.....look around the campgrounds. I think that you may notice most people roll their awnings up.

[Gabe]

I had a big gust of wind take mine out of the ground (and it was really staked well). It flung the awning on top of my trailer. It poked 3 small holes in my roof (others have had worse) and bent all of the poles and the main brace to the point that NOTHING could be salvaged.

My point is.......be thankful that you did the "Mod". It could have been much worse.

BTW.....in most cases, when the wind is blowing.....look around the campgrounds. I think that you may notice most people roll their awnings up.

This was in the backyard during the day while at work so I couldn't run out. If I had to chosse between two bent poles or holes in the camper I'll take the bent poles, it's just the holes seem less likely considering how quickly I bent two poles.

I'll leave this for the next person whom searches on this topic to determine if they feel it's worth it.

[wavery]

This was in the backyard during the day while at work so I couldn't run out. If I had to chosse between two bent poles or holes in the camper I'll take the bent poles, it's just the holes seem less likely considering how quickly I bent two poles.

I'll leave this for the next person whom searches on this topic to determine if they feel it's worth it.

Actually, holes in a PU roof from "awning flop overs" is more common than you may think. We get quite a few posts about it here.

It's a good idea to stow the awning while you are away, unless you are pretty certain that the weather won't change.
Travel Trailer and Motorhome awnings are different. The frame and supt bars are a lot more heavy duty. Remember, PUs are all about "Light weight".

[Gabe]

Actually, holes in a PU roof from "awning flop overs" is more common than you may think. We get quite a few posts about it here.

It's a good idea to stow the awning while you are away, unless you are pretty certain that the weather won't change.
Travel Trailer and Motorhome awnings are different. The frame and supt bars are a lot more heavy duty. Remember, PUs are all about "Light weight".

When I get back from this weekend I'm going to look at beefing up the poles with some sort of replacement

[wavery]

When I get back from this weekend I'm going to look at beefing up the poles with some sort of replacement

You might want to think about that for a while. The poles are relatively cheap and a good "fail safe". If a strong gust of wind hits, something is going to give. It will always be the "Weakest link". In your case, the pole bent but it didn't break. If you reinforce the poles, consider what the next weakest link might be :confused: .

The more that you reinforce, the heavier the entire unit becomes. At some point, if you have the "Ultimate" reinforced awning, it may just be strong enough to tip your PU over.

I have been a serious sailor for many years. I know full well the power that is contained in a gust of wind. Your awning is just the same as a sail. When you design systems on a sailboat, you are very meticulous about your "Fail safe" systems (because your life depends on it). You always engineer your systems to have a fail safe mechanism that will #1 do the least amount of collateral damage possible when it does fail (because it will).......#2 be the easiest, fastest and safest thing to replace..........#3 be the most cost effective thing to replace.

If the pole on your awning had not bent, causing the wind to dump from the fabric (sail) you may well have suffered far more severe damage like the front support bending or the cloth tearing. If it were me (and it soon will be) I would leave it just the way it is. I would consider that failure as a roaring success (compared to what I went through with my awning). However, after reading your post, I may consider carrying an extra awning pole. So......thanks for sharing your experience.
----------------------------
BTW....My brother experienced a gust of wind while having the awning out on his travel trailer. His awning is one of those beefy things that you unlock and just pull down, to set it up. the support braces are probably about 3" wide, heavy aluminum extrusions.

When the gust of wind hit, it ripped the mounting bracket out of the trailer frame. It actually pulled the mounting nuts & bolts right through the steel frame. The leg then punched a hole through the trailer wall.

These awning disasters are quite common and one should be very careful about the deployment of any awning.

[Gabe]

You might want to think about that for a while. The poles are relatively cheap and a good "fail safe". If a strong gust of wind hits, something is going to give. It will always be the "Weakest link". In your case, the pole bent but it didn't break. If you reinforce the poles, consider what the next weakest link might be :confused: .

The more that you reinforce, the heavier the entire unit becomes. At some point, if you have the "Ultimate" reinforced awning, it may just be strong enough to tip your PU over.

I have been a serious sailor for many years. I know full well the power that is contained in a gust of wind. Your awning is just the same as a sail. When you design systems on a sailboat, you are very meticulous about your "Fail safe" systems (because your life depends on it). You always engineer your systems to have a fail safe mechanism that will #1 do the least amount of collateral damage possible when it does fail (because it will).......#2 be the easiest, fastest and safest thing to replace..........#3 be the most cost effective thing to replace.

If the pole on your awning had not bent, causing the wind to dump from the fabric (sail) you may well have suffered far more severe damage like the front support bending or the cloth tearing. If it were me (and it soon will be) I would leave it just the way it is. I would consider that failure as a roaring success (compared to what I went through with my awning). However, after reading your post, I may consider carrying an extra awning pole. So......thanks for sharing your experience.
----------------------------
BTW....My brother experienced a gust of wind while having the awning out on his travel trailer. His awning is one of those beefy things that you unlock and just pull down, to set it up. the support braces are probably about 3" wide, heavy aluminum extrusions.

When the gust of wind hit, it ripped the mounting bracket out of the trailer frame. It actually pulled the mounting nuts & bolts right through the steel frame. The leg then punched a hole through the trailer wall.

These awning disasters are quite common and one should be very careful about the deployment of any awning.

Very good points to consider, I'm hoping my luck will change or at least now that it's happened twice I've got a while before it happens again

[UTfam]

We have an 06 Fleetwood Highlander.  Used 1" Aluminum tubing "available from your local Lowe's.  The 'down pole fit perfectly into the 1" diameter tube.  Used the open U shaped piece from a package of Closet Rod supports to mount to the skirt under the box with a 1/4 X 3-1/4 inch pin available frm the Hillman drawers in the bolt isle. Drill the 1/4 hole and insert pin.  Space your holes for the support bar aroound 2 in centers.  I did ours at 1in centers and they are too close.  Entire project around $60.00 and about two hours to round up the tools that are scattered around the homestead.  I will attempt to post pics later, if you want to see the mod.

[trumpet87]

We have an 06 Fleetwood Highlander.  Used 1" Aluminum tubing "available from your local Lowe's.  The 'down pole fit perfectly into the 1" diameter tube.  Used the open U shaped piece from a package of Closet Rod supports to mount to the skirt under the box with a 1/4 X 3-1/4 inch pin available frm the Hillman drawers in the bolt isle. Drill the 1/4 hole and insert pin.  Space your holes for the support bar aroound 2 in centers.  I did ours at 1in centers and they are too close.  Entire project around $60.00 and about two hours to round up the tools that are scattered around the homestead.  I will attempt to post pics later, if you want to see the mod.

would like to see your mod of this. Thanks!!!

[Gabe]

We have an 06 Fleetwood Highlander.  Used 1" Aluminum tubing "available from your local Lowe's.  The 'down pole fit perfectly into the 1" diameter tube.  Used the open U shaped piece from a package of Closet Rod supports to mount to the skirt under the box with a 1/4 X 3-1/4 inch pin available frm the Hillman drawers in the bolt isle. Drill the 1/4 hole and insert pin.  Space your holes for the support bar aroound 2 in centers.  I did ours at 1in centers and they are too close.  Entire project around $60.00 and about two hours to round up the tools that are scattered around the homestead.  I will attempt to post pics later, if you want to see the mod.

I also would like to see this

[Jestercat]

We have an 06 Fleetwood Highlander.  Used 1" Aluminum tubing "available from your local Lowe's.  The 'down pole fit perfectly into the 1" diameter tube.  Used the open U shaped piece from a package of Closet Rod supports to mount to the skirt under the box with a 1/4 X 3-1/4 inch pin available frm the Hillman drawers in the bolt isle. Drill the 1/4 hole and insert pin.  Space your holes for the support bar aroound 2 in centers.  I did ours at 1in centers and they are too close.  Entire project around $60.00 and about two hours to round up the tools that are scattered around the homestead.  I will attempt to post pics later, if you want to see the mod.

Add us to you list of "want to see those pics"