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We have a Fiamma 2.5M wind out awning.  On holiday in France two weeks ago, we left the awning rolled out at night.  There was a massive thunderstorm in the night and, on looking out of the window I saw that the awning had part collapsed and had a large puddle of water in it.  I lowered the awning legs to let the water flow off.  In the morning I inspected for damage and found that the awning mechanism was slightly bent and it will not now fully retract (a 5mm gap at one end). 

After that I ensured that I lowered the awning legs each night to ensure that there was a steep enough drop to allow water to quickly drain off.  Take care with them as they are very expensive!

..to be honest,I don't think I'd risk leaving our's out,even with the legs lowered..

..as I've seen a couple that have been blown over the top of the van..one of which ended up in a heap,by the side of the van,having been fully ripped off..

For the 30 sec it takes to wind it back in,it just doesn't seem worth the risk..

Roll out awnings are designed to act as SUN shades. However if you do decide to go for leaving it rolled out while away from your pitch, make sure you peg the feet down with the pegs provided, and ALWAYS use the storm strap which goes over the lower frame and under the blind, held down with the large steel shaped pegs supplied.

If you do not have a middle support rafter then lower ONE of the support legs a little, to throw any water off from collecting in the middle of the blind.

With normal rain fall and adverage wind force you should be O.K, high winds can only lead to disaster.

Well,as you've experienced what happens if the fabric sags,causing the rain to "pool",then I would've thought yes...

We've only got a straight rafter,like this:

http://www.agentfiamma.co.uk/fiamma-awning-rafter-1607-0.html

But the curved ones should work better,as I would think that they'd "tension" the fabic slightly:

http://www.agentfiamma.co.uk/fiamma-rafter-pro-curved-1608-0.html

Thanks pepe63.  Why is nothing from Fiamma cheap??  I also note from the link that:

"Important: The awning material can stretch if the Rafter Pro is used for long periods during high temperatures. Therefore please limit usage during hot weather."

Hmm.

I suppose it doesn't really need to be a "proper" rafter..

I suppose you could use any pole which was telescopic and/or adjustable(..spare tent poles?..telescopic curatian pole?..),anything that'll support the middle a little...

(Yeah..and you now know that these awnings aren't really designed to be used in the rain and the wind(basically British summer weather then)and neither apparently,should you use 'em in the sun for too long...?!?  ) 

Had a friend who borrowed a family caravan ( hubby worked at a caravan dealership repairing caravans so knew what he was doing).  During a storm the awning pulled away from the pegs and tie down strap and went over the caravan, damaging the awning and caravan. Fortuneately he was able to do the repair himself or it would have been expensive.

Jean