Things NOT to do when camping

[amabee]

Let me start with what you should do, check the forecast.

What you dont do is leave your awning up, dang its loud when it flips over your roof!

Yes, we got caught in a pretty good thunderstorm, as I got up to start zipping windows up, bam the awning is up and over. While most of the poles were all bent, it did no damage to the fabric of the awning or the roof(which is good because we just had it replaced under warranty). We found one pole over 150ft away from the camper! Our stove and carryout table were also outside and got drenched, particle board and rain do not mix well.

What is crazy, Jayco wants $300 to replace the poles! Not to mention the $150 to replace the tabletop and the counter around the stove. All in all, a rather expensive weekend. Live and learn.

 

[vjlarson]

We "flipped our awning" this weekend too. We were camping in hot sunny 90 degree heat though. We didn't have a storm, but the wind often comes up on the high desert in Eastern Washington. We know this and should've known better. DH forgot to stake the awning down! We went sight seeing for about an hour and when we returned to camp, the awning and poles were flipped onto the top of the roof. I was sick because when this happened to our last camper, the pole(s) put a good sized hole in the roof. DH drove the truck up closer to the camper and stood on the tool box to check it out. No damage. SO lucky. I'm so sorry about yours.

 

[amabee]

Yeah, the wind can catch you off guard. Funny thing is our Coleman coffee maker was still sitting on the stove and several plastic cups were still sitting on the table, amazing the wind can take some things and leave others untouched.

 

[Flyfisherman]

That awning rail do have a sharp edge and will punch a hole in the roof ... I speak from experience. In my case, had the awning setup and the word came through the C/G a strong weather front was coming our way. I dilly dallied around and waited too long before the take down. As I was rolling the awning up the wind really picked up and a gust just jerked that awning right out of my hands and ended up on the roof, punching a nice hole in the aluminum roof. Finally did get the awning rolled up (with some help) and thank goodness for duct tape because that's what patched the roof for the remainder of the week and even after I got home and time to patch it right.
Now, if I know anything is coming my way strong weather wise, awning is secured. Meantime, when in use, it is more then secured.

 

[Snow]

For the table and stove surround you can remake new ones and better ones out of plywood... a number of members have done that..

As for the awning, well you can make poles out of electrical conduit and possibly even adjustable painters poles...

Moral of the story for the awning is to tie it down..

 

[vjlarson]

Yeah, the wind can catch you off guard. Funny thing is our Coleman coffee maker was still sitting on the stove and several plastic cups were still sitting on the table, amazing the wind can take some things and leave others untouched.

Yeah, I can certainly attest to that. We were in a tornado and it's unbelievable what they can move and destroy - and then not touch at all.

 

[amcdeac]

Good to know I have company on this mistake, in the misery loves company kind of way.

My awning bag ripped in the process. I took it to an awning shop (the kind that makes awnings for homes and businesses). They sewed it for me on their industrial sewing machine.

FWIW, this happened due to what must have been a freak gust of wind on an otherwise calm day - the kind that is so calm there seemed to be no reason to tie down the awning. We were away on a bike ride at the time. Moral of the story for anyone interested is "tie it down" even when it seems silly to do so.

 

[amabee]

For the table and stove surround you can remake new ones and better ones out of plywood... a number of members have done that..

As for the awning, well you can make poles out of electrical conduit and possibly even adjustable painters poles...

Moral of the story for the awning is to tie it down..

I thought about making my own table top, but with it being less than a year old, I'd like it all to match. Jayco does guarantee a match.

I am probably going to get a Shademaker awning, looks much easier to set up. I am going to call our insurance company tomorrow to see if this can be turned in and what it will do to our premium.

 

[crusher]

$300.00 for awning poles you can buy a complete new awning for that.

 

[sdn40]

Dont tease sasquatch while eating beef jerky

 

[Idahawk]

Don't believe anyone that tells you a vest made of bacon is good luck !

 

[steversssss]

My awning went a flippin over the weekend. Nothing happened thank god. But last yr I broke one of the poles. Maybe 2 dollars worth of aluminum and Flagstaff wanted 110.00 to replace one half of the frame. All I needed was a 3ft part that slides in and out. So now I spare parts.

 

[Dammitjim]

When you guys talk about the fact that we should tie down the awning, do you mean with stakes or attach it to something else like a picnic table? Is it enough with just 1 corner tied down or does one have to do both?
I ask because here in Florida, it gets pretty windy in the summer when a storm is about to come through and that's pretty much every day around 3pm. So, if we aren't going to be at the PUP at that time, I would have to secure this thing before I leave.
Thanks!

 

[Clueless]

I'm curious about this as well. We haven't had this happen to us yet but the PO must have because there is a patched hole in the roof.

On our poles there is a "V" shaped ring at the bottom of the upright poles that clips into small holes on each side of the pole. I use one of those wire rod type stakes to hold them down. Is this enough to prevent them from ripping out and flipping over the roof during high winds?

 

[DelorFamily]

When we purchased our N2U PUP, the awning was ripped where it was attached to the roof (similar wind issue with previous owner). Instead of buying new awning fabric, I just took mine to a industrial sewing shop (sail maker, car seat re-upolster, etc all should work too) and had them cut off the 3-4 inches of ripped material and sew the rubber gasket thingy (that goes in the channel) back on. Cost of all this was less than $20! My awning is a few inches shorter than original, but you wouldn't know unless I told you .


BTW, things NOT to do when camping... Don't forget the camera!

 

[PainInTheButt]

Things NOT to do when camping

Not check to see if you've zipped the awning bag all the way. Or next time you open it you might find your awning covered in mildew.

 

[jmcclung11]

I stake down both ends of my awning. I have never had an issue and it has been through some strong storms.

 

[DelorFamily]

Not check to see if you've zipped the awning bag all the way. Or next time you open it you might find your awning covered in mildew.

I did that once. Didn't find any mildew, but I did find a "not so happy" nest of hornets! Apparently they don't like camping

 

[JeepMama]

I stake down both ends of my awning. I have never had an issue and it has been through some strong storms.

regular tent stakes? Or the kind with the corkscrew???

 

[Snow]

regular tent stakes? Or the kind with the corkscrew???

I have used both ... The last trip I actually was using one tent stake and one corkscrew... the ground was mostly sand so the one corkscrew just kept pulling out, so I had to get out the extra tent pegs we carry and use one of them..