We will be going to Gulf Shores this month and I was concerned about my awning with the wind. Should I buy the awning De-flappers before going or am I worrying for nothing.
I use the deflappers and use them when I'm close to the beach. I find the wind off the water shifts and changes in intensity sometimes quickly. We have a NOA alert radio that we set for the area alerts for high winds, especially at night if I leave the awning out overnight.
Skip & Susie
Roxie our 12 yr old Dachshund
06 Challenger 5er, 32 ft, 29RLS
03 Silverado, 2500HD, Duramax/Allison, lg bed, crew cab, 4x4
Yamaha 2400SEi gen
We went to Gulf Shores several years ago before the hurricane wiped out all the trees. We had a pup then and set up the awning. Never had a problem with wind, but the trees also broke the wind. Now, I don't know if there are trees any more or not to help break the wind.
About de-flappers. They do help the "flapping" in a moderate wind. But in a heavy wind, you still want to roll up the awning, as wind can still catch it and flip it over the top of the trailer. There's not much holding the feet of the awning to the side of the trailer, except 2 screws, and sometimes they are not even in a stud. A good wind can rip them right out and ... there goes the awning.
We use awning tie downs most of the time, a home made set version using a doggie cord screw from the pet store, and ratchet straps. For springs, I use bungie cords. Works just fine.
Still, when we know a heavy wind is coming, we still roll up the awning. And if we are going to be gone for a while, I always lower the awning all the way, and secure it with the home-made awning straps. It is harder for wind to catch the awning when it's in the down position.
Still, when in doubt, roll it up. It's always safest that way!
Good luck. By the way, Gulf Shores in August .... in a pup with no air conditioning and aligators in the ponds and lakes, and jelly fish outbreaks in the Gulf, it was a horrible experience ... hot, hot, hot, and now where to escape the heat! Hope your air conditioner is in good working order.
Also, we got attacked by ants. We had ants in the Suburban for 2 weeks after we left there!
If you're are prepared, you'll have a great time. We weren't prepared and didn't know what to expect! Hot, ants, jelly fish, aligators, ... yep, we really loved Gulf Shores.
By they way, visit Lamberts restraunt, Home of the "throwed rolls" I think it's throwedrolls.com This an absolute must if you go there.
Oh, one other thing, when we were there, it was almost always cash only ... everywhere. Very few places took credit cards of any kind. Running on cash we didn't have made it a lousey trip too. Hope that's better now!
Good luck!
DutchmenSport
2005 Chevy Silverado 3500 Dually Duramax 6.6L V8 Turbo
Century Truck Cap Commercial /Toolboxes
Northeast Outfitters Canoe
Not sure where Dutchmen went but Gulf Shores lives on credit cards...! What else is there? There are no more trees at Gulf State park but it is a VERY nice place with large sites and patio area, full utilities and Wifi at the community lodge building....I'm actually heading there in the morning to have fun with the heat, sun, jellyfish and ants...
2006 Mountain Aire 43
Wife, K9 Maggie and 4 sugar gliders are co-pilots, along with Garmin Nuvi 660
06 Vue AWD toad with Brakemaster
Blue Ox Adventa II towbar
We were there over Memorial day weekend and a straight line wind got 20 awnings in the park along with ours. We put it in now everytime we leave the park.
I been to Gulf Shores many times this will be the first time with the TT I usually rent a condo. I love the heat bugs and all that comes with the Gulf Shores. When I feel stressed and want to get away I call Meyers real estate and she always says this peak season and want to come next!! You won't have much to pick from but they alway seem to have cancellation I can slide into. his time I'm taking the TT to give it a try this way and since this is part is new to me I want to be somewhat prepared. As far as the credit card thing I don't carry much cash ever and I never had a problem buying anything anywhere.
23ss Roo 09
chevy 09 Silverado 5.3 V8 3.73
DW,4boys all grown, GC 5 boys 5 girls ages 8 down to 1
http://community.webshots.com/user/jerr7
Equalizer hitch
ultra fab 3500 Power Jack
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