hi everyone had a caravan now for 4yrs sited on a seasonal site in n/wales first awning was damaged after first season then bought a three quarter awning that got damaged now gone back to a full awning ihave watched videos on you tube to make sure i have erected it correctly and put extra roof and side poles if this doesnt work selling the caravan and going back to camping if i have missed something any help would be welcome
thanks ian&fay the old codgers
Have you put on storm straps? Have you made sure that the wind cannot get in underneath? Could be worth having a look to see what others on the site have done to secure their awnings.
We were in North Wales last weekend and decided against putting up the awning due to the strong winds.
hi thanks for the reply yes done all you mentioned and yes it was windy last w/end but put it up sat with the weather at its best sundayit took a battering but stayed up so all being well will still be there come season end
thanks ian&fay
Usually a residential awning is advised for permanent seasonal pitches and although they are more expensive they are much stronger than a standard touring awning. They are designed and constructed specifically for the adverse weather conditions which there are several different brands that make this type of awning but one in particular is the Bradcot 'Residentia' shown in the link below.
No awning will stand any storm. Even then best awning correctly erected can be damaged in a severe storm. It's the chance you take if you leave an awning up all season.
The main problem with seasonal awnings is the fact that you cant always be there when the weather is rough.
Problem no 1, in high winds, roof poles fall down were they contact to the van,they fall inwards and then batter the side of the van doing loads of damage.
Problem no 2 , the canvas becomes slack and rain water collects on the roof untill the weight of the water bends the poles and the awning collapses. awning tie downs will not stop this happening.
i managed to find a spare set of awning poles and used them to add extra roof poles and uprights, placing an extra upright to each roof pole were it attatches to the caravan.
Roof Poles can now not fall at the awning rail side of awning.
I also added some cross bracing the awning will now rip befor it collapses.
All this could sound over the top but consider the damage a collapsed awning can do to your caravan.
Each season there has been at least two collapses on the site i go to and each time it happens the owners have added these extra poles.
It works out very expensive to buy these ploes new so look out for a second hand set.
Hope i havent put you off
thank you all not being there as you all mention does have its problems i have done as much as i can to secure it just hope we have a less windy summer thanks for your suggestions they were really helpful ian & fay
Sorry but if anybody leaves there awning up on a seasonal pitch when not staying there good luck to you feel sorry for the people who are there trying to save your awning when the winds pick up been there seen it not nice
Most seasonal awnings are made from heavier material and come with extra poles over a certain size. But it is important to buy the correct size awning to start with.
Storm straps are a must both external and internal if leaving up all season, I have never lost a awning due to gale force winds 70/80mph. But have suffered pooling of rain water which caused the roof to sag.
I over came this by fitting ten MM square plastic mesh a cross all roof poles but side ones then fitting canes woven through the ends of mesh then using bungee straps hooked on to canes and side roof poles this completely stopped roof from sagging due to weight of water in really heavy down pours as once roof has stretched it is impossible to get roof taunt enough again.
To have roof resized cost about £150 my remedy cost £38 .
£30 for mesh £8 for 8 bungees off eBay free postage,canes from garden.
If you really stretch roof poles and front support poles it becomes impossible to open and close zips without great difficulty especially going round bend.
I also use wooden blocks with 10mm hole to place plastic points on bottom of front support poles this helps to hold down awning carpet and prevent poles moving on carpet to reduce vertical tention in windy conditions.
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Topic: awnings damaged
