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Old 05-31-2018, 09:48 PM   #1
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New power awning rain shed fix

I am a person whom likes to sit in the rain with my awning out. Those with a new power awning know you need to have it proped up with a pole to shed water. My idea is simple and effective. Plus you won’t trip on a pole or stretch one area. Note you do need to shut the power off so it does not auto retract in case of wind. .

1) you need and extendable broom handle. I used a sturdy lightweight fibreglass one.
2) extend awning out 75% of the way
3) extend handle so 2-3” overhang at the support arm elbows
4) use a velcro strap loop to secure each end at the elbow.
5) it supports the middle perfectly and the tent structure sheds water perfectly!

Takes 30 seconds to set up and take down.
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Old 05-31-2018, 09:59 PM   #2
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Yes, you need to keep the fabric taut between the arms, great idea. I retract mine to 50% and it seems to work without the added pole in between. Your way allows more extension...
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Old 05-31-2018, 10:09 PM   #3
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Simple and effective. I like it.
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Old 05-31-2018, 11:59 PM   #4
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that looks a lot like a FIamma style awning... My Casita had a manual Fiamma with a center stretcher... after you extended it and lowered the legs, and finished extending, you put the center pole between fittings on the middle of the camper side and the middle of the extended piece. I always extended this beam/pole as wide as I could before locking it, so it kept the awing stretched out taut. in wet weather, I'd lower one pole and raise the other so the water would pour down the way I wanted.
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Old 06-01-2018, 06:50 AM   #5
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Originally Posted by John in Santa Cruz View Post
that looks a lot like a FIamma style awning... My Casita had a manual Fiamma with a center stretcher... after you extended it and lowered the legs, and finished extending, you put the center pole between fittings on the middle of the camper side and the middle of the extended piece. I always extended this beam/pole as wide as I could before locking it, so it kept the awing stretched out taut. in wet weather, I'd lower one pole and raise the other so the water would pour down the way I wanted.

These motorized awnings don't have poles like the manual fiamma ( we had one on our old Casita also ) on the corners that support them, or the center "stretcher pole", so you can't impart a "tilt" to shed water to one side or the other that way.



Hence, the great "broom stick" idea.

Thanks !
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Old 06-01-2018, 08:02 AM   #6
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We love to sit out in the rain as well. Your fix is quick, easy and very effective. Thanks for sharing. Donna will be very happy.
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Old 06-01-2018, 08:47 AM   #7
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Brilliant! I will have to play with this idea on our 2017 21’ TT.

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Old 06-01-2018, 12:56 PM   #8
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Originally Posted by Sowen23 View Post
I am a person whom likes to sit in the rain with my awning out. [...]

1) you need and extendable broom handle. I used a sturdy lightweight fibreglass one.
2) extend awning out 75% of the way
3) extend handle so 2-3” overhang at the support arm elbows
4) use a velcro strap loop to secure each end at the elbow.
5) it supports the middle perfectly and the tent structure sheds water perfectly!

Great idea. Simple and elegant. I had been working on something to solve the same problem but you have a simpler solution than what I designed.


Questions:
1. What is the limiting factor for 75% extension? Do you just need a longer pole? Does water still pool if you go further?
2. If you are willing, could you please share where you specifically got the fiberglass pole?
3. Have you worked out a solution for rain and wind or do you just retract it entirely in that instance?


Thanks!
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Old 06-01-2018, 01:38 PM   #9
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Hardware and paint stores sell telescoping poles that attach to paint rollers.
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Old 06-03-2018, 08:53 PM   #10
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I had the best luck at 75% extention. You can play with it to see the optimum extention. This weekend I also added a small weight to one corner to get the water to drain to one side. The pole is one I have had for many years. Any hardware store has them as a paint roller extention. If too windy, it needs to come in.

See my weight below. 😉
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Old 06-03-2018, 09:08 PM   #11
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A hardhat on an adjustable tarp pole works good too, and falls out of the awning should retract.
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Tammy mentioned that Dometic has a piece for a different electric awning, though not for the one we have as of yet, that goes between the two arms and falls out if it closes. This would be a good thing if they ever build one for this awning.

After using this hardhat idea I have planned to do something similar to the Dometic idea, and have a slight crown to it. I just have not got around to it yet.
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Old 06-03-2018, 11:35 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sowen23 View Post
I had the best luck at 75% extention. You can play with it to see the optimum extention. This weekend I also added a small weight to one corner to get the water to drain to one side. The pole is one I have had for many years. Any hardware store has them as a paint roller extention. If too windy, it needs to come in.

See my weight below. 😉
Hi: Sowen23... But it's light beer!!! Not much weight in that. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie
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Old 06-03-2018, 11:37 PM   #13
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Agreed! Not my usual choice. ��
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Old 06-04-2018, 05:57 PM   #14
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Lets face it the new awning's are wimpy . who wants to stand there ( All Day )and watch your awning all day to see what its going to do next. It's just stupid . I mean ..is it or isn't it . OR will it or won't it. Or Honey what's it doing now It's to funny. Thank goodness I got the old style .
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Old 06-04-2018, 06:00 PM   #15
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Just read on FB, ETI is bringing back old style awning with support arms as an option. Is this true?
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Old 06-04-2018, 06:04 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Devil Dog View Post
Lets face it the new awning's are wimpy . who wants to stand there ( All Day )and watch your awning all day to see what its going to do next. It's just stupid . I mean ..is it or isn't it . OR will it or won't it. Or Honey what's it doing now It's to funny. Thank goodness I got the old style .
Say what?

Where ever did you get that from it being disappointing with regards to dumping rain. Everything else about it is superior. Looks and ease of function, along with the auto-retract are awesome. And trust me, the thing is very tough, my brother found out the hard way. We just spent the last week with ours deployed on a lakeside, including lots of rain, with the exception of it retracting on windy day.

Like most, you love the one your with (or have), but to bash another when you haven't even tried it is not fair.
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Old 06-04-2018, 06:05 PM   #17
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Just read on FB, ETI is bringing back old style awning with support arms as an option. Is this true?
Yes, both Tammy and Reace mentioned they are going to offer it as an option.
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Old 06-04-2018, 06:15 PM   #18
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Yes, both Tammy and Reace mentioned they are going to offer it as an option.
Also adjusting the hatch size, in order to fit the arm attach?
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Old 06-04-2018, 06:19 PM   #19
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Also adjusting the hatch size, in order to fit the arm attach?
Not certain, just that they said they had something worked out.
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Old 06-04-2018, 06:51 PM   #20
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Lets face it the new awning's are wimpy . who wants to stand there ( All Day )and watch your awning all day to see what its going to do next. It's just stupid . I mean ..is it or isn't it . OR will it or won't it. Or Honey what's it doing now It's to funny. Thank goodness I got the old style .

Thanks for that.



I'll try to forget it when we pick up our new 21' in a few weeks...


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