Awning Anchors - Weighted Water Bags

[ILH]

As a matter of safety I've always anchored my main awning down at the tips using straps and and tent pegs. To accommodate minor movement, my straps have springs in both of the down straps. Works well - and its has saved my awning through many sudden wind storms.

My problem is when I stay at resorts where the patio is concrete - or if the ground is simply too hard to use ground peg. I want to use water bags - but I haven't found a product. In theory, it will be made of a material similar to a rubber raft - so that it will retain water without leaking.

Any thoughts?

 

[TandT]

Why not use one to five gallon water jugs? Quick, light when empty and cheap. Trace

 

[ILH]

Thought of that - except 1 gallon jugs wouldn't be heavy enough when filled. If I go that route, I'd probably use larger water jugs for camping - perhaps the ones that are somewhat soft sided so that I can collapse them when not in use.

I don't hear of many other 5ers using straps to secure their awnings. Is this just a habit of Travel Trailer owners?

 

[Ray LeTourneau]

We have a manual awning. I use rope ratchets on each end. ONE OF THESE If we can't put the awning arm/foot on soft ground, I usually don't anchor the awning. If possible, I use a big spike (10" nail) type stake through one of the feet holes and the rope ratchet but no springs. The spike keeps the foot from shifting and the rope ratchet holds everything in place using a screw in doggy stake. I put the doggy stake about a foot out from the awning arm. It works for me

 

[ziggy]

We used to use totally collapsible bags in our boat for extra fresh water. They came from a boating catalog but I'm sure that's not the only place you can get them. Ours hold 3 gal if I remember correctly.
Kristy

 

[hillsonwheels]

Ray...........No wonder you've never had a chance to replace that awning............how could the wind take it away anchored as you describe????

 

[Ray LeTourneau]

Ray...........No wonder you've never had a chance to replace that awning............how could the wind take it away anchored as you describe????

I know! I really should loosen it up so it can get ripped away.:angel:
I forgot to mention I also use 3 deflappers on each end and instead of the locking knobs for the extension arms, I pin them with hitch pins. This prevents them from loosening up.

 

[PUG]

when at a resort i put my screw in anchors screwed in under the concrete from the side when the dirt is to hard,

 

[recumbent615]

you could also use a 5Gallon Homer Bucket from Home Depot with Water in it. you can also cap them - that would give you a 40lb weight at the end of every strap.

 

[truknutt]

Take a look at these options: Canopyguy.com

 

[ILH]

That's the kind of 'water bag' weight I was looking for! Thanks!

 

[Birchwood]

We never anchor our awning and never extend it when away from RV.We always camp on the coast and the wind
could rip it off anytime.

 

[PeternLiane]

We have had our awning torn off in a sudden gust of wind. We were only at campsite right next to us. We were at something like 20 to 25 yards away, when boom. I now anchor my awning period. Better safe than sorry. When I can't use my regular anchors, I use my sand bag anchors. If we leave the camp site for any reason now will always retract it. A whole 2 minutes to attach it and take it down is worth the time spent.

 

[ILH]

I would never leave my awning unattended without straps. The reason I don't retract it as often as others is that I tend to keep the furniture and other items under it - out of the elements. Too much hasle to pack every away each time.

 

[hillsonwheels]

To anchor or not to ancnor? My Dad used to say, "Pays your money...takes your chances." Having said that, I'll relate a tale. As newbies we camped at Jolly Roger CG on Marathon Key, FL. The day before we got there a wind came up, and anchored or not, fifteen rigs lost canopies! Needless to see the local repair dude was making some money. So, I err on the side of caution.

Dick

 

[Ray LeTourneau]

We never anchor our awning and never extend it when away from RV.We always camp on the coast and the wind
could rip it off anytime.

If we had an electric awning, I would do the exact same thing. One of these days I'll replace the manual awning with a powered unit. Hopefully this year.