Awnings and High Winds

[fike]

I am working on a teardrop build, and I am trying to decide whether to add awnings to one side or both. I am really concerned with heavy rain and thunderstorms with high winds. I camp in the east where summer thunderstorms are frequent and can have sustained 30-45 MPH winds with heavy rain--I suspect Texas has similarly strong wind and rain storms. I don't want to invest in an awning if it is just going to get ripped to shreds in the first storm of my first season.

I am thinking I will continue to use the REI Alcove with walls for the covering around the teardrop's kitchen. At $129 it is not as disastrous if it is ripped up and deposited in a tree.

Does anyone make an awning that is much smaller and would only provide rain shelter getting into and out of a teardrop? Would a smaller awning be more durable and less prone to rips and tears

Does anyone make an awning that isn't retractable but is instead a tarp that attaches to a rooftop pole? Could that be better?

Considering the Rhino-Rack Sunseeker 2.0 which is only 6' long and can have a wall attached to go to the ground. It seems less likely to have problems when compared to one of those foxwings that is really doomed in one of these storms.

 

[gaap master]

Does anyone make an awning that isn't retractable but is instead a tarp that attaches to a rooftop pole? Could that be better?

Maybe something like the Kirkham's Auto Canopy?

http://www.kirkhams.com/shelters-shades/kirkhams-auto-canopy/






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[ventura911]

Check out SoCal Teardrops Scipio awning and annex (https://www.socalteardrops.com/options.php?cid=8&oid=71 and https://www.socalteardrops.com/optio...?cid=8&oid=109). It's a Hannibal-style awning, a design that won Overland Journal's Editor's Choice title in a 7-awning test (Spring 2010), that SoCal Teardrops offers for its trailers.

 

[Biker Eagle]

For years I've used 2 Motorcycle straps attached to corkscrew pet stakes(2) to keep my awnings from going airborn. Works like a charm and is a cheap fix.

 

[Nd4SpdSe]

I had experienced some 50km/h+ winds this summer on the first time out with the awning with the sides. it held up well but the twist-lock poles collapsed under the force of the ropes, and with no ropes to hold it down, the wind wanted to pick up that corner, but other then that it held up well. The fix for that will be to put in pins to lock the poles in the open position so I can crank down the ropes for any future storms.

We did have an issue with the wind a few weeks ago. The girlfriend was anxious to get setup and wanted to open the awning like NOW. When we did, she held only the loose section of the awning and didn't support the poles, so the wind caught it and broke 2 knuckles, which new ones actually arrived yesterday, in time to use it this weekend. There's also a company in Australia that makes a flexible hinge/knuckle, which will be on my wishlist for spring

http://darche.com.au/product/awningsuper-flex-hinge/

 

[fike]

Maybe something like the Kirkham's Auto Canopy?

http://www.kirkhams.com/shelters-shades/kirkhams-auto-canopy/

Why don't more people use awnings like this? It seems like this would be more durable, less expensive, and less wind drag on the roof. If it did get pulled out of the ground by a wind or storm, it wouldn't end up destroying anything with flailing poles.