MALE*RN*777
Western MD, USA
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Joined: 04/24/2003
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It seem like our awning isn't as tight as it should be. Is there a way to reduce the sag when it is open? Thanks.
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JJBIRISH
Butler, PA, USA
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Joined: 10/06/2002
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What king of awning??? Are you pulling the rafters arms tight ???
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mking
Indianland,South Carolina
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I have the same problem and can't seem to figure out what too do.I pull the side bars as tight as they will go and my awning still sags somewhat.I think the tube might have gotten bent a little in the middle due too the awning being so long.But not really sure.Hope you get some answers as how to maybe fix it.
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2-MTnesters
carrollton, Ky
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I have the same problem with my 20' awning. The only thing that I have found that may fix the problem is to have the center awning support installed. I am planning to have one installed as soon as we get back from our outing mext week.
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mking
Indianland,South Carolina
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Thats sounds like the best idea Tim and Dea.Thanks for the advice.Let us know how it works
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Jagtech
Alberta, Canada
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I had a similar prolem with my previous RV awning. It had "pooled" with water in a heavy rain, and stretched the fabric in the middle. We couldn't get it tight after that.
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2-MTnesters
carrollton, Ky
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In my poinion when an awning reaches a certain length the center support should be a standard feature but I guess it's a money thing.
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bigdaddogg1
Martinez, Georgia
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The longer awnings have a tendency to sag and flap in the breeze. They also have to be angled to make sure that rain runs off and doesn't puddle and bend the roller.
The best solution that I've found is to install Awnbrella awning supports. These are heavy aluminum adjustable supports that are installed by mounting brackets on the side of your camper (under where the edge of the awning is mounted) and drilling holes in the awning roller. The supports are bowed and stretch the awning tightly upward.
The advantage of using these is that they allow you to erect your awning level, without angling one side down. Rain water runs off the front of the awning. I use awning clamps on the sides and tie downs at each corner. There is no flapping of the awning and I've had it up during 40 mph gusts out in West Texas with no lifting of the awning. It's a really stable installation, and it only takes about 10 minutes extra to erect the awning.
They ARE a little pricey however. Camping World sells them for around a $100 for a set of two. My 18 foot awning requires 3 supports, but since they don't sell them individually, I installed all 4. It took about an hour or so to install the brackets and drill the holes. I've had them for almost 2 years now, and I think it's one of the best mods I've made to my camper.
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MALE*RN*777
Western MD, USA
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Good news...I just put up my awning today and it is good. I either didn't have it pulled totally out which mad it sag or the material shank back to tight since the nice weather we've been having....
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tatest
Oklahoma
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Awnings must sag, it is a law of physics; no material is strong enough to be pulled absolutely straight suspended between too points in a curving gravitational field.
How much they sag depends on gravitational field, material weight, distance spanned, and tension.
The way to decrease sag is to increase tension or decrease the span, you little control over weight and none over gravity. The rafters adjust tension, it is a matter of how hard you can push them out, what loads they can hold before the locks fail or the rafters buckle (or the fabric tears loose). The rafters can do this job only if they are used as rafters, not if they are used as diagonal braces.
A lot of sagging in the middle can be the result of the awning spool also flexing, as it is also supported only at the ends but loaded the full length. One or more center rafters can help with this.
Tom Test
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