spotrot
Indian Rocks Beach, FL
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Joined: 03/12/2008
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My apologies for bringing up a subject that apparantly is well-known to the old pros -- but it was an eye-opener for me. I've owned and driven Class A's since 1999, as have several friends, and never knew this potential deadly hazard existed.
Last week, I was happily driving at highway speed when my 2008 30' got instantly slammed almost 10 feet into the left (passing) lane. I thought a semi had hit me. If any motorcylists had been passing me, they would have been killed or maimed for sure. Any car, SUV or light truck would have been knocked off the road.
The cause: the awning instantly unfurled into a big sail. When I pulled off the road, I expected to see ripped canvas, twisted arms, and brackets and sidewalls torn off. Unbelievably nothing was damaged.
I pulled the awning all the way out (that was a fight in the wind), reeled it back in and them climbed up on the roof. The ratched lock wasn't engaging very well. After I was sure it was locked (i.e. the spool wouldn't rotate), I secured it in place with a metal coat hanger.
Although previously I've driven over 70,000 miles in a RV without this happening, I will never drive a RV without a positive lock on the awning again. Even if the chance of this happening is fairly small (searching the posts suggests it happens to a lot of RV'ers though)the outcome, killing innocent people, is way too much to risk.
PSA over. Still can't believe nothing broke.
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kidfriend54
Great State of Texas
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Joined: 03/11/2004
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Wow, glad you are all right and no injury or damage occurred. I wonder if this is a possibility with our electric awning or just with manual awnings? Jan
Joe and Jan
'04 Winnebago Jouney 32T
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wny_pat
Western NYS
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Joined: 08/11/2007
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spotrot wrote:After I was sure it was locked (i.e. the spool wouldn't rotate), I secured it in place with a metal coat hanger. I have a lock pin that goes thru the arms and locks them together. But I am not sure that it is the answer, especially considering what I have read around here. Think one needs a pin the locks into the spool.
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Nascarcruzin
Home is where the RV is parked.
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That's scary.
Ronnie & Rebecca
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Anml_341
Ontario
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Joined: 01/15/2007
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We had this happen to us about 4 weeks ago. Gust of wind, (50 km/30 mph) awning unrolled but everything was still in place including the extra locking system. In our situation the fabric was ripped. At the RV Dealer, we discovered that the inside of the roller locking system was the problem and we only discovered this when testing the system and there was a mal-function. The insides were replaced. What was told to me by the RV Dealer was that the wind got inside the metal awning protective cover and managed to unwind the roller all in a matter of a split second. We were about 75 minutes at the side of the road getting the awning back in place and secured before we were able to continue on our way. Thankfully everyone was safe in both your situation and our own. It sure was a scary time. Our Awning was an A&E 9000 - 20 foot size.
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Ontario Canada
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wheelman16
Boulder City, NV
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Joined: 04/09/2009
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My awning did the same thing in high wind driving down the highway. Had to replace everything. I bought a locking system at camping world that is screwed to the side of my RV above and below the awning and locks eveything in place (one on each side). Worth the money for peace of mind.
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LVJ58
Las Vegas, Nevada
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Joined: 02/26/2001
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Had similar experience though not as extreme as yours. Now when traveling I secure the support arms at the top by running two heavy duty teflon around them then through the roof bracket. Kind of a pain, but well worth the effort.
Jim & Sherry Seward
Las Vegas, NV
2000 Residency 3790 V-10 w/tags & Banks System
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Triker33
Homestead, FL
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Joined: 11/30/2002
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In no order.
Awning Lock 1
Awning Lock 2
Awning Lock 3
Awning Lock 4
With a search you will find more different ones.
It is not if, but when your awning will do it.
Larry Full Time Since 99
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J-Rooster
Port Orchard, Wa. U.S.A.
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I'm glad everything turned out alright for you John. I was visiting a local HR Dealer in 2003 in Fife, Wa. the dealer was taking a coach out on a test run on Hwy. 99 and the awning opened up while the dealer was driving the coach and a telephone pole took out that awning. No one hurt there either. John
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ronfisherman
SE Michigan
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I installed a Awing Clamp on our awing. Works great.
2004 Gulf Stream Endura 6340 D/A
TST tire pressure monitor system
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