Awning in carport mode

[Viajante]

Does anyone detach the awning supports and stake them out in "carport" mode? It seems that the curved supports won't sit right on the ground. Suggestions?i

[Jim Bennett]

I do it almost everytime I set up. I much prefer it, as they are more out of the way as a single pole, then a diagonal brace.

The year my 19 was built, they were mounted towards the back, and the door hits against it when left attached to the trailer. This allows the door to fully open with the awning deployed.

[Viajante]

Jim,

How do you get the foot of the awning to sit flat on the ground?

[escape artist]

Originally Posted by Viajante

Jim,

How do you get the foot of the awning to sit flat on the ground?

Hi: Viajante... Not Jim... but the feet swivel. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[Jim Bennett]

I don't think my feet (on the awning) swivel, though I never really thought about it either way. I use a 10" galvanized spike to keep them in place.

[bvansnell]

Here is a photo of our awning in carport mode.

Ladybug at Bay View State Park #2 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

You may need to adjust the amount you slide out the vertical piece so that the awning is the height you want.

[paulw]

At gatherings where we have lots of company, I usually just stake down the front support so people don't have to duck around it and leave the rear one attached.

[Jim Bennett]

We have done exactly that a bunch of times too, Paul. Keeps the one close to the door more out of the way.

[Viajante]

Thanks for responses. The feet on the awning I have do not swivel, so they hit the ground at a bad angle that doesn't provide much contact and I thought could break the plastic feet. But I guess I will just give it a try.

[daveandsandyclink]

While on the awning subject, I want to broadcast a word of caution. For those who are getting a new trailer or have very little experience with a Carefree of Colorado awning, take my advice. Purchase and install a nylon strap around the canopy while traveling. Why you ask...As we were traveling thru eastern Oregon with our brand new 5.0, the canopy opened and was destroyed. Carefree indicated that perhaps I had left the switch in the wrong position. A $600 mistake I will soon not forget.

[jlgrillot]

How did you install the strap around the awning?

Jim

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by Viajante

Thanks for responses. The feet on the awning I have do not swivel, so they hit the ground at a bad angle that doesn't provide much contact and I thought could break the plastic feet. But I guess I will just give it a try.

Our feet are definitely metal, not plastic. Maybe a new thing?

Originally Posted by daveandsandyclink

While on the awning subject, I want to broadcast a word of caution. For those who are getting a new trailer or have very little experience with a Carefree of Colorado awning, take my advice. Purchase and install a nylon strap around the canopy while traveling. Why you ask...As we were traveling thru eastern Oregon with our brand new 5.0, the canopy opened and was destroyed. Carefree indicated that perhaps I had left the switch in the wrong position. A $600 mistake I will soon not forget.

My wife did just that last year too, packed up and left without the awning latched down. We are getting the new fabric from Escape, but it will only be about $200 shipped. Did you have to redo the arms, rafters, tube and everything?

[thoer]

Originally Posted by jlgrillot

How did you install the strap around the awning?

Jim

We just bought some of the Velcro that sticks to itself and wrap it around the arms at the top. It is easy to find the Velcro and cheaper than the straps sold for the job.

[daveandsandyclink]

On the 5.0 the lower arms are bent to a special angle at Escape Industries. Thankfully they and the fiberglass body escaped damage.

[santacruzer]

We use the velcro approach also, it just wraps around the front top support. Escape made it very clear when we picked up the trailer that this was a potential problem, it's just too easy to overlook the switch position. We've been doing it from day one.

[cpaharley2008]

Yes, for under $6 worth the investment Amazon.com: Camco 42503 RV 12" Awning Straps: Automotive

[santacruzer]

Even cheaper is to buy a large roll of the Velcro that's double-sided, cut what you need for the awning, and use the rest for other things, such as tying up the electrical cord, or hoses. On the awning, I did about a four inch overlap, it would take a hurricane to pull it loose. That stuff comes in handy for many purposes, I wouldn't be without it. That, and an assortment of the plastic zip ties for more permanent use.

[Viajante]

After taking a look in the light of day I believe the support feet to be cast aluminum painted white, not plastic. Glad that others made use of this thread.

[float5]

We managed to mess up part of the awning hardware and someone with a certain tool fixed it. All I can say besides a strap up top is not to take off those black knobs. They are heck to get back in.