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akjam · 11-08-2016, 03:21 PM

We have our 2016 International 30 parked outside while we are moving into our new house. Last night it rained about 1/2" with little to no wind and this morning we find that the awning collapsed. Obviously we are sick about it but I am also wondering if this really should have happened at all.

I would think that one of the main purposes of having an awning would be so that it would protect you from the rain. Who would ever think of pulling in the awning because it started to rain? It was not tilted down at either corner but I don't think this should make a difference.

Should this be a warranty repair or should I just suck it up, pay to get it fixed and plan on retracting the awning and sit in the trailer next time it starts to rain?

wahoonc · 11-08-2016, 03:29 PM

Insurance might cover it... Definitely not a warranty issue.

Did you have one end lower than the other so it would run water that way?

If you read the awning manual they usually tell you to take it in if there is any sort of weather forecast. I have used mine in pretty heavy weather, but I tilt one end and stake it down with a tie down kit.

If I am going to be away from the trailer or not sleeping in it I will quite often roll the awning up just to be on the safe side. It only takes a few minutes.

Aaron

mfrez · 11-08-2016, 03:31 PM

I'm estimating the size of your awning here but you'll get the idea. 30 ft x 9 ft =270 square ft. 1/2 inch of rain is 2.6 lbs per square ft. x 270 = 702 lbs of water if it all stayed on your awning. Ouch

Always lower one side of the awning one notch if rain is expected. I've never had a problem this way.

Mrjkq · 11-08-2016, 03:34 PM

A lesson learned the hard way! Insurance will cover it, less deductible off course.

mojo · 11-08-2016, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by akjam

It was not tilted down at either corner but I don't think this should make a difference.

Yep!

**Kevin245** · 11-08-2016, 03:53 PM

This document is a bit dated but the application is still current. See page 3 (4 of the scan).

https://www.airstream.com/wp-content...2438c6fdcb.pdf

We always lower one end.

ijustlee · 11-08-2016, 04:01 PM

It's risky to leave the awning out at any time! I've had gusts of wind pull the rivets out of the roof when my awning was only out about 4 feet at most! My awning is also stretched noticeably from pooling water! It was sunny and warm when I left for a few hours but when I came back there was hundreds of pounds of water hanging in the awning even though it had been sloped end to end and sideways to where the door just missed it. I couldn't open the door until I removed most of the water and I was very impressed at how much weight the awning could hold. Maybe there was a reason the factory put a barometer in the control panel? It really pays to pay attention to the weather forecast but even then you've got to be ready to take corrective action any time the awning is out! Once the material has been stretched it's hard to get enough angle on it to be certain it won't puddle again. I'm sure I'm not the only person to have problems leaving the awning out!

AWCHIEF · 11-08-2016, 04:24 PM

Unfortunetly this is all too common occurrence with all brands of awning. Seems on almost every trip where there is a bit of weather at least one awning is trashed. It is a preventable action by keeping a close eye on the weather and taking the awning in well before needed. Old sailboat saying "If you are thinking it might be time to take in a reef it is probably too late."

slowmover · 11-08-2016, 04:37 PM

Winds can tear them loose.

One doesn't want to see what an aluminum trailer looks after a six foot crowbar awning arm has been beating and puncturing the skin in 60-mph winds.

As the previous owner of one of my trailers said, "I wasn't gone a half hour. And there had been nothing in the forecast ".

1990 35' Silver Streak
2004 555 Cummins

VaTravelers · 11-08-2016, 05:12 PM

I understand the need importance of retracting the main awning. I have the awning package on my 28' Serenity. Should I retract the other two awnings in a storm? Probably wouldn't hurt.

AWCHIEF · 11-08-2016, 05:49 PM

You are right, it probably would not hurt but it could certainly help prevent further damage.

overlander63 · 11-08-2016, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by akjam

It was not tilted down at either corner but I don't think this should make a difference.

Yes, it does make a difference. It will continue to be damaged in this manner every time you leave the awning un-tilted, and it rains.

Quote:

Should this be a warranty repair or should I just suck it up, pay to get it fixed and plan on retracting the awning and sit in the trailer next time it starts to rain?

Warranty doesn't cover acts of God or owner misuse.

Wingeezer · 11-08-2016, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin245

This document is a bit dated but the application is still current. See page 3 (4 of the scan).

https://www.airstream.com/wp-content...2438c6fdcb.pdf

We always lower one end.

Will make an Hyuge <<Trump mode off>> difference!

Brian

Hiwheel Joe · 11-08-2016, 07:21 PM

Was at a rally in Branson a few years ago when a group went to town leaving awnings out. They were having a good old time in town with the sun shining when a storm came up at the camp with a downpour. Those left behind managed to get the Airstream awnings dropped on one corner. One couple had a Carefree awning that we could not figure out how to lower so we just had to use a broom to keep up pushing up the canvas to run the water off.. Sunny where you are does not mean it is shining on your trailer. Never know.

Caffeinated · 11-08-2016, 07:32 PM

If it's a light rain with no wind I will tilt the awning. If it's heavy rain or windy, all the awnings come in. Better safe than making a appointment to replace awnings.

Mike

FCStreamer · 11-08-2016, 07:33 PM

I learned my lesson the hard way. Now I close it up every night and every time I leave.

NorCal Matt · 11-08-2016, 08:21 PM

How much wind will cause everyone to start to get nervous? I got nervous around 15mph on our first trip out and was wondering if I'm being paranoid.

CRH · 11-08-2016, 08:26 PM

If there's too much wind to sit outside, there's too much wind to have the awning out.

1973Argosy · 11-08-2016, 08:42 PM

Always keep one end of your awning lower than the other. Hate you had to learn the hard way, maybe your insurance will cover.

ShinyPete · 11-09-2016, 04:34 AM

Like FC above, we're in the "close it every night and any time we leave camp" group. We've been fortunate to never lose an awning but I've camped with 2 friends that have lost them, both while gone and a Florida frog strangler storm came up.

I also remember struggling with a 30 footer on the side of a 12 foot tall motorhome in a windstorm at two in the morning some years ago . That cured me from leaving an awning out overnight. 😌

Just sharing our policy......

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