Hi all - sorry for asking what is probably a lame question but we have been caravanning for just a year and have been extremely lucky with the weather and not faced high winds. (Apart from from my OH after a curry !)
We are off to the New Forest on Saturday and the BBC are forecasting possible severe gales on Monday. We are not on the coast or in the middle of an exposed field and the gales might not happen........do we put the awning up Saturday? Advice please (we don't have a storm strap and I wouldn't be able to get one before then)
Depends on the awning and the prevailing wind direction in relation to how you are pitched.
If it is a winter type small porch awning with storm poles and guying points and the caravan is protecting it I might risk it but for a full awning or a lightweight awning no chance as it could do a great deal of damage to caravan as well as wreck the awning. I lost count of the number of trashed awnings I saw in 2011 and 2012. It was 'interesting' trying to help people remove awnings that had flipped over their caravan roofs or where the poles had folded and punctured the sides of the caravan. Duck tape saved a few holidays then.
You will get a few people saying it will not be a problem as their awning does not move in the wind but when it does they are the ones panicking.
Your choice, your risk.
------------- 'A sure cure for sea-sickness is to sit under a tree'
Don't put up the awning or park under or near trees. The lee side of a hedge is good for shelter, or, put your car between the wind and your van. I have been out in very strong winds, its a bit scary when the van is 'flexing' but you get used to it. And of course don't park on the top of a hill. You should be fine as long as the wind doesn't get above say 40mph. Have fun.
Hi
Been caravanning for large number of years in all sorts of weather, But if strong wind if forecast, I would not put up any awning. As stated you will not get a good night sleep worrying what's happening to awning.
Daft question, but what's the definition of high winds? I've just checked the forecast and the BBC shows winds of 16-18 (mph, I assume). I've no concept of how windy that actually is - is that too high for an awning or is it fine ...?
It was on the BBC Breakfast this morning - there's a hurricaine coming from America that will hit either the UK or France with gale force winds on Monday but they're not committing to anything yet! So it may be one of those that never happens
Currently, meandering out in the Atlantic like a lost soul is Tropical Storm Lorenzo. At present, the system is far from affecting the UK weather but over the weekend and that all changes as models now show a very real threat that Lorenzo may well interact with another area of low pressure and rattles across the UK next Monday bringing a very significant storm system to many areas.
What is worth remembering is that models are simply number crunchers. If you put in the right data then you get a realistic vision as to how the weather will unfold and the right data is all down to how Lorenzo interacts with the passing frontal wave in 84 hours from now.
If Lorenzo fails to hitch a lift then we can expect some windy weather across much of the country next week but certainly nothing spectacular. However, if, as models suggest Lorenzo catches the wave depression then 80-90mph winds along with very heavy rainfall would affect much of the UK on Monday and certainly be a storm system which would rival the Burns Day Storm of January 1990.
I see you are at Sandy Balls, which if just down the road from us. If the forecast decides it's not going to be too windy and you decide to put up the awning, there is a really good camping store at Three Legged Cross, that you might be able to get a storm strap from. Might be worth giving them a call. http://www.theforestcampingcentre.com
Quote: Originally posted by phantomtrucker on 24/10/2013
Don't put up the awning or park under or near trees. The lee side of a hedge is good for shelter, or, put your car between the wind and your van. I have been out in very strong winds, its a bit scary when the van is 'flexing' but you get used to it. And of course don't park on the top of a hill. You should be fine as long as the wind doesn't get above say 40mph. Have fun.
Whats the chance of not being near a tree if your pitched in the New Forest?
After being caught out in the past and saying we are not getting hurricane force winds when we did the weather forecasters are usually over-cautious now and give the worst possible prediction. If your awining is quick to erect I would put it up on Saturday and see what the forecast actually says on Sunday and take it down if necessary. Weather forecasts more than 2 days ahead are wrong more often than they are right or they are very general giving all possibilies. Enjoy your holiday.
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Topic: Weather warning next week
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