Very silly question - awnings...

[S&T]

Hi there.

We've taken 5 trips in our Flagstaff 227 now - having a terrific time.

The camper's brand new, but we don't have an owner's manual (dealer couldn't find one - surprise.)

Most of the accessories, as you know, come with their own manuals and so I've been able to figure out the answers to most of my small questions.

Here's one that I'm really not sure of though:  Where do you put the awning poles?  The first 4 trips I just put 'em on the ground (or in it on soft ground), then this weekend I realized that they "rest" nicely angled back to the camper - right where the roof latches are on the side of the unit.

They clearly are not designed to necessarily go there - because the small plastic knob does not fit into the latches... but by just placing them in the hinge area, they sure seem much more stable and even than when I put them in or on the ground.

Not sure if I'm describing it well, but I'm just really curious if I'm doing something wrong (or right) by doing it this way.

Thanks!

-Scott

[brainpause]

Are there any ropes or tie-downs coming off the poles? Most awnings whose legs rest on the ground are also staked to the ground with small ropes, like an old tent.

Larry

PS: Welcome to PUT! (and there is no dumb question, except for the one that goes unasked)

[wavery]

Take a look at these pictures of my new awning:
http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/album/559651940aSEhYE

My awning is set-up to operate exactly as you describe. However, if you do it this way, it is imperative that the awning poles are secured to the camper in some manner. If a gust of wind hits the awning, it may result in severe damage if the awning is not secured.

On my old awning, I had separate poles, like you are describing. The awning bag had 3 loops built into it, to hold the horizontal pole ends from falling. We used to bundle up the poles and slip them into the center loop before rolling up the awning. Everything fit inside the bag quite nicely.

[ldgregory]

Here's one that I'm really not sure of though:  Where do you put the awning poles?  The first 4 trips I just put 'em on the ground (or in it on soft ground), then this weekend I realized that they "rest" nicely angled back to the camper - right where the roof latches are on the side of the unit.

They clearly are not designed to necessarily go there - because the small plastic knob does not fit into the latches... but by just placing them in the hinge area, they sure seem much more stable and even than when I put them in or on the ground.

Two answers for you maybe..

1. The Forest River "manual" (in quotes because it flat out sucks) is pretty anemic anyways. However, here's an older one that might help:
http://www.popupportal.com/manuals_viewer.asp?RN=86

2. I have a 2007 Flagstaff 228, and if your awning is like mine, it goes like this.

There are two sets of poles in the awning. One set is the round poles which go back at an angle and snap into the clips on the side of the PU. The second set of poles come straight down and have the extension nub like the bunk poles. These go to the ground and are staked down. In case you didn't realize (I didn't at first), the round poles which snap into the clip on the PU are the twist to tighten / loosen. I couldn't figure out why it was sagging and the poles appeared to have no way of locking down. I accidentally twisted it and discovered that this was the way.

Here's some pics:
http://www.pcwize.com/galleries/santa_barbara_07/big/SANTA_BARBARA001.JPG

http://www.pcwize.com/galleries/santa_barbara_07/big/SANTA_BARBARA008.JPG

http://www.pcwize.com/galleries/santa_barbara_07/big/SANTA_BARBARA017.JPG

From this gallery:
http://www.pcwize.com/galleries/santa_barbara_07.php

and

http://www.pcwize.com/galleries/jemez_falls_07/big/JEMEZ_FALLS_07037.JPG

from this gallery:
http://www.pcwize.com/galleries/jemez_falls_07.php

[wavery]

Two answers for you maybe..

1. The Forest River "manual" (in quotes because it flat out sucks) is pretty anemic anyways. However, here's an older one that might help:
http://www.popupportal.com/manuals_viewer.asp?RN=86

2. I have a 2007 Flagstaff 228, and if your awning is like mine, it goes like this.

There are two sets of poles in the awning. One set is the round poles which go back at an angle and snap into the clips on the side of the PU. The second set of poles come straight down and have the extension nub like the bunk poles. These go to the ground and are staked down. In case you didn't realize (I didn't at first), the round poles which snap into the clip on the PU are the twist to tighten / loosen. I couldn't figure out why it was sagging and the poles appeared to have no way of locking down. I accidentally twisted it and discovered that this was the way.

ldgregory

I hate to be the one to break the news to you but I don't think that's the way that awning is supposed to be set-up.

Take a look at these pics:
http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/album/559651940aSEhYE

The poles that "Twist lock" are supposed to be "Rafters". That is, they go straight from the outer beam of the awning to your roof, as tightly as you can get them. That keeps the awning flat and tight. I think if you lift up the inner part of your awning bag, you may find a pair of "Ball brackets" like the ones that are mounted on the side of your trailer. I mounted mine through the bag for personal preference.

I believe that the poles with the "Clip locks" may go to the brackets on the side of your camper or straight down to the ground (either/or).

On mine, there is a black plastic cover on the end of each vertical pole. That cover pulls off (you can see it in my (fuzzy) pics) to expose a "Ball" end. With the cover on, you can put the poles straight to the ground (some people prefer that). With the covers off, a ball end is exposed and allows you to angle those poles back to the brackets on your trailer.

That appears to be the exact same awning that I have. I just recently installed mine. I will try to find the installation instructions and mail a copy to you, if you'd like.

[ldgregory]

ldgregoryThat appears to be the exact same awning that I have. I just recently installed mine. I will try to find the installation instructions and mail a copy to you, if you'd like.

I'll check tonight when I get home. I don't remember seeing them in there (upper ball brackets) and the way I set it up was the way the dealer showed me, but that's not to say he wasn't wrong.

[wavery]

I'll check tonight when I get home. I don't remember seeing them in there (upper ball brackets) and the way I set it up was the way the dealer showed me, but that's not to say he wasn't wrong.

If that's the same guy that showed you how to set up your trailer, I would  recommend that you to read your owner's manual very carefully and review the steps in setting-up. It is important to follow those steps in order.

You might also want to have a chat with that guy's supervisor. He may need a little more training :sombraro: .

Like I said, the brackets may be mounted under the bag. You don't have to open the bag to see them. Just lift the bag. If you look at pic#6 in my link above, you will see approximately where they should be (only behind the bag). You will also notice that there is a Velcro strap, about midway, on the side of the awning. That Velcro tab is meant to wrap around the upper "rafter" (pole) to keep it from flapping in the wind.

If the mounting brackets are not mounted on the roof, you may want to re-visit your dealer. They should be there. They are not an "option", they are mandatory for the proper use of the awning. The awning comes with 4 of those brackets supplied. The 2 in your pictures (mounted low on the camper wall) are for the vertical poles. There should be 2 more under the bag.

The way that you have those poles mounted in the picture has the potential of damaging your lift system. They are exerting an outward force on your roof. Your roof is not designed to handle that direction of force. It has the potential of bending the roof supports (although the likelihood is small). The point is, awning rafters should only place a direct apposing force to the awning mount itself....on the roof.

[S&T]

Wow!  Thanks for all the information!

wavery - Your photos are exactly what I'm trying to describe -thanks!  Only thing missing is the lower black brackets to receive the lower poles.
Next time I pop up, I'll lookbehind the tent material for lower brackets.  I'm already using the upper brackets (under the bag) for the upper arms, now if I can just find the lower brackets, it'll be golden.

If no lower brackets =    Oh well, I won't worry about that until I don't find 'em.

Happy travels!

-Scott

[ldgregory]

If the mounting brackets are not mounted on the roof, you may want to re-visit your dealer. They should be there. They are not an "option", they are mandatory for the proper use of the awning. The awning comes with 4 of those brackets supplied. The 2 in your pictures (mounted low on the camper wall) are for the vertical poles. There should be 2 more under the bag.

Coolio. They were there. Didn't see them before because they were tucked up under the awning bag.

Thanks.

[Starcraft Dad]

Wavery'
I have the exact same awning that I recently purchased from Camping World.  My pup sits low to the ground so when the awning is set up it would pretty much come out straight from the pup.  Even when the poles were sitting on the ground.  I had to drill  a few more holes in the poles so that the awning is sitting on an angle for rain runoff.  Did you have to do the same thing or did you keep it the way it was.

[wavery]

Wavery'
I have the exact same awning that I recently purchased from Camping World.  My pup sits low to the ground so when the awning is set up it would pretty much come out straight from the pup.  Even when the poles were sitting on the ground.  I had to drill  a few more holes in the poles so that the awning is sitting on an angle for rain runoff.  Did you have to do the same thing or did you keep it the way it was.

I guess my PU must be a lot higher. In my pictures, the top isn't all the way up and the poles are adjusted to the highest setting. I could lower the poles a lot.

[S&T]

Ooops.   If only I'd spent a little more searching the internet, I would have found this and not bothered y'all.

http://www.dometicusa.com/pdf/3308723.018.pdf

Looks like I'll need to order two more brackets, cuz they're -not- on the PU wall.  I much prefer the no-poles-on-the-ground setup.

[wavery]

Ooops.   If only I'd spent a little more searching the internet, I would have found this and not bothered y'all.

http://www.dometicusa.com/pdf/3308723.018.pdf

Looks like I'll need to order two more brackets, cuz they're -not- on the PU wall.  I much prefer the no-poles-on-the-ground setup.

Thanks for the link

I saved it for future referrence. That is exactly what ldgregory needs as well.

Don't feel bad about "Bothering" us. These discussions help any number of people. Thanks for asking the question .

[ldgregory]

The way that you have those poles mounted in the picture has the potential of damaging your lift system. They are exerting an outward force on your roof. Your roof is not designed to handle that direction of force. It has the potential of bending the roof supports (although the likelihood is small). The point is, awning rafters should only place a direct apposing force to the awning mount itself....on the roof.

Sorry, got so excited at finding them that I didn't read your whole post.

I really don't see how the way I had them set up would potentially cause any more damage than the "correct" way. In fact, the way I had them set up provides more support and less stress on the roof. Think about it. By sticking the twist poles (or rafter poles) into the clips mounted to the roof it means that they provide absolutely no support to the awning at all. The only thing they're doing is keeping the awning taut. Therefore all the support is borne by the two expanding posts which go to the ground at 90 degrees.

By putting the rafter poles at a 45 degree angle (I didn't actually measure the angle, but it's close enough for discussion) it's supporting the awning at the base of the PU. If I understood your post correctly you can pull the bottoms off the expanding poles which contain a ball that clips into the bracket I've been sticking the rafter poles into. If I set it up this way, then *all* the weight of the awning is being borne by the expansion poles at 45 degrees which seems that the roof is taking more stress.

In my setup (not defending its correctness, just the mechanical soundness), the awning is supported by the 45 degree clipped in rafter poles (just like if I had used the expansion poles as intended), and it's also being supported at a 90 degree angle by the expansion poles. Whether or not this is the right way or wrong way, I can't believe that my way provides any more stress than the "correct" way.