Power Awning use in the Rain

[switz]

I even throw the pelican hooks for quick storage on the street side awnings just in case of a gust of wind from the downrush of a thunderstorm

[Rocinante]

Originally Posted by switz

I even throw the pelican hooks for quick storage on the street side awnings just in case of a gust of wind from the downrush of a thunderstorm

I'm pleading ignorance: How does one use a pelican hook with the awnings to help protect from wind gusts, per your note above?

[rmkrum]

He’s referring to the auxiliary hooks that help hold the awning shut instead of the wheels that firmly bolt it shut. They are quickly latched once the awning is shut. The wheel fastener takes a lot longer to tighten.

Technically the hooks are not a ‘pelican hook’ used in seagoing rigging. In that case, a pelican hook is a device used as a quick release device for a ship to ship cable during underway replenishment evolutions. It is most vital in an “emergency breakaway” situation to quickly release things like fuel hose messenger lines, etc.

Have a few experiences where someone tripping s pelican hook prevented a nasty collision at sea between our aircraft carrier and a destroyer that we were trying to refuel in rather crappy weather. To say it turned into a “charley Foxtrot “ in mere seconds is putting it mildly. I have a spectacular picture of the beginning of the problem. I missed the one of the stern of the destroyer coming all the way out of the water because I was busy running for my life....

[JFRINALDI]

I use the awning to cover the cook stove in heavy rains, tilted to the rear. If water does build up a paint roller on a four foot handle is handy to push it off from underneath. One cautionary note, like the old canvas tents some dripping will ensue but it is minor compared to a smelly kitchen.

[switz]

Those hooks are the only "securing" device for the street side awnings and there is one on the curb side awning as well plus the screws on each end of that larger awning.

[Rocinante]

Ah perhaps things have changed - our 2014 model has no pelican hooks of any kind, anywhere. Street side awning is on a spring roller with a feeble little clip that nominally helps keep it from unrolling, though the strength of the spring seems to be the real prevention device. Power awning on curb side has no hooks either. Just buttons I push on the control panel inside.

[switz]

Your "feeble little clip" is the previously mentioned pelican hook.

[Airhead2018]

We where told not to use it in the rain when we bought it. Our guess is that any damage done by rain or wind under warranty is not covered. We have used it in the rain but keep a close eye on it. We do not leave the trailer with the awning out if it is raining or windy.

[BAB]

We have the Relax awning and (like most everyone else), do not “relax” with the awning deployed in wind/heavy rain. I will leave it out if it’s raining and we’re physically present. The tilt is plenty adequate to let the rain slide off to the rear. It can be finicky if you don’t have a full 12V, or if you have a less than perfect ground. It’s great that Nate at Zip Dee is such a good resource at distance diagnosis!

[Roadtech]

Originally Posted by BAB

We have the Relax awning and (like most everyone else), do not “relax” with the awning deployed in wind/heavy rain.

I can't "relax" not knowing if the dang thing is going to retract or not...

[dasams]

We have the manual awning and always leave it up in the rain. But only with a good tilt. A couple of weeks ago we had the first rain in many months. I forgot to tilt the awning. At 4 in the morning BOOM!. One of the awning supports failed due to weight of the rain. Called AS and was told 'it's a sunshade, not a rain cover'. Ugh. Lesson learned, tilt the darned thing!

[Overstreet]

It is Sunbrella fabric. Just like my boat bimini it will work in the rain. The problem is that if the very big canopy is allowed to collect water it will stretch and/or break. A stretched canopy this big can cause problems rolling up. The bimini doesn't roll it gathers up for stowing.

I think the real answer is "maybe' . The corporate liability protecting answer would be sun shade only.

[Hoboplayer]

Doesn't everyone know the tilt is to prevent excess sunlight from accumulating.

Hobo

[69SoulShine]

Well folks. ZipDee has come up with what I think is a great improvement for our 30’er’s power awnings.
I just replaced our main control board with their updated version that allows the tillt on one end to drop almost all the way down!
This is a big deal for us as I do my best drinking sitting outside while it’s raining!
Nate and the rest of the ZipDee crew have been working hard on this project and we appreciate them!!!

[69SoulShine]

Seems like I’d know how to send pictures by now

[BAB]

Nate is a really great guy. I had to replace my roller motor (inside the awning tube), and he IS the Relax awning expert. What did Zip Dee charge to swap out the board?

[69SoulShine]

$0.00

[wulfraat]

Sweet!! I’m gonna call them tomorrow and see if I can get my hands on a new board for my 30’er !

[brick1]

I do not leave my manual awning out when there is rain. So I don’t worry about it...
brick

[jlandreth]

Originally Posted by 69SoulShine

Well folks. ZipDee has come up with what I think is a great improvement for our 30’er’s power awnings.
I just replaced our main control board with their updated version that allows the tillt on one end to drop almost all the way down!
This is a big deal for us as I do my best drinking sitting outside while it’s raining!
Nate and the rest of the ZipDee crew have been working hard on this project and we appreciate them!!!

We just picked up our 2019 30' Classic the end of December. I assume it came with the new main control board, wouldn't you?