Oh dear, arrived on site, set the van up then started on the awning, a bit gusty but nothing too bad...had the main canopy up just tensioning the poles when a gust blew the awning upwards almost taking my 9yo son with it.....and I heard a crack...ooops the central roof pole snapped. Not happy but at least that was all that was damaged. Managed to mackle it together and now it's up it seems fine. I had set about pegging...then went pegging again to be sure it couldn't get away again. Oh well you live and learn huh
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The tie down kit is brilliant, but when we first used it, the strap vibrated horribly against the awning roof. Then a fellow 'vanner told me to put the strap on with a couple of twists in it. I did this - full of sceptism - but it works. Try it!!
Quote: Originally posted by Viggo on 17/7/2010
Awnings are just like tents - only as good as the pegs that hold them down. Invest in good, strong pegs. Buy storm straps. Use them even if winds are not forecast. Bad weather blows up fast and usually in the middle of the night, just when you don't want to be pegging out and tightening straps.
Great advice...my dad is a stickler for storm strapping and pegging properly, they go to Abersoch every year for 6wks and sometimes have windy weather, however on Thursday night the large storm screw in pegs and every oher peg were simply ripped out of the ground, he said it was too dangerous to try and hold onto anything....scary stuff.
I have a set of pegs that are 18in long and quarter inch steel. I use them to anchor my tie-down straps. If a wind pulls them out, I'll really be worried! Of course, it depends on the ground you're on - if it's sandy it's never reliable.
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Topic: Awnings and wind...
