Hi, I was wondering is there a particular way of attaching guy ropes to the ends of an awning, or do you just tie them on. I am surprised there isn't a reinforced hole or a loop in the awning to attach a rope . Mine is a Prostor 500. Thanks Ian
Dick0 said
03:25 PM Feb 21, 2021
Hi Ian,
Welcome!
I would be winding the awning in if there is a hint of a breeze.
I am sure members here will tell you some sad stories about awnings like yours.
Even if you found a way of tying with guy ropes a blast of wind will take the whole awning and frame out leaving the guy ropes anchored to the ground holding nothing in the end.
Sorry to be negative but I have seen the disastrous result to these type of awnings...they are just for temporary shade in calm conditions.
Colin Penrose said
03:27 PM Feb 21, 2021
There is an aluminium loop thing being sold around $20. Sorry cant remember where. My guy ropes are tied to an S loop that just slips over the end of the awning. Try caravansplus.com.
Dougwe said
04:25 PM Feb 21, 2021
I do this but not knowing what a 'Prostor' awning is Not sure if it would work. I posted the pic anyway as might be of use for someone else. The funnel is to harvest water.
Possum3 said
04:25 PM Feb 21, 2021
Ian, I believe these are what Colin was referring to www.ebay.com.au/itm/170962463722 I have bought a set and permanently closed the rope hook over the small carabiner ($2 Shop) to attach to guy rope.
Tony Bev said
04:43 PM Feb 21, 2021
Hi Ian G
I had the same type (but different brand) awning as you
The bookwork did say that it was not to be used in wind or rain, as it was only to be used as a sunshade
I was parked close by to Richard (Dick0), when my awning decided to try and leave without me
Other people had the Carefree type awnings, and mine was the only one damaged, (it was damaged beyond repair)
Whenarewethere said
04:43 PM Feb 21, 2021
If there is a strong wind the area of a awning could generate a tonne of uplift, hopefully by then the awning has actually been ripped off!
A bit impossible to see in this photo but I use a Bowline knot at the top & use a Taut Line knot to tighten the rope & if I need leverage I use a Trucker knot.
Ropes are proper stuff from Whitworths Marine, not the rubbish which comes with the awning!
Thanks for the replies, my awning is a square or rectangular section so I don't think those round hooks would be suitable, Aldi had some awning clamps on sale last week but I couldn't make any sense out of them so didn't buy them. I think the rubber straps that Doug uses would do the trick but I wanted to get a guy in the middle as well as the ends. Ian
Dougwe said
06:47 PM Feb 21, 2021
I also have a guy in the middle. I use 1/2 a 2" split pin hinge threaded in shade screen track. I just cut a section out of sail track to allow for hinge.
I have been doing the way in the pics for 61/2 years now and never failed. Has also been in some gale force winds.
tea spoon said
08:14 PM Feb 21, 2021
we have a kings bag awning on the van.......the side aluminium poles bent in strong wind so i put awning /annexe poles on they are much stronger being steel ........i also use anti flappers i brought on ebay as they sell them way cheaper than the caravan accessory places ........ the side and ends are shade cloth as are the ropes all from bunnings.......so its good and has been in wind since i repaired it with no problems at all............
Aus-Kiwi said
09:32 PM Feb 21, 2021
A security screen or shade cloth helps tie down, prevents wind getting under awning . Yes clove hitch or just double tie down to peg ?
Whenarewethere said
10:00 PM Feb 21, 2021
tea spoon wrote:
the side aluminium poles bent in strong wind so i put awning /annexe poles on they are much stronger being steel
Most of the awning aluminium poles are not even extruded. They are roll formed & have a welded seam. Rubbish is the technical term for these products!
Aluminium poles should be at the very least extruded, better still cold die drawn to increase temper.
Failing that, there are some professional extruded aluminium anodised extendable painters' poles that are very solid & can be easily modified with a spike on the end, an M4 316 stainless steel bolt tapped in the end, works a treat!
Bicyclecamper said
11:06 PM Feb 21, 2021
You have the perfect set up Guru, I love it, no towing anything, if ever my roof rack brackets, arrive from Europe - 5 months and counting.
-- Edited by Bicyclecamper on Sunday 21st of February 2021 11:06:40 PM
Aus-Kiwi said
12:44 AM Feb 22, 2021
Guy ropes about 45* angle off the awning should prevent damage from the wind under awning, lifting it. High wind like WA coast ? Etc I would fold up at night .
oldbloke said
05:57 AM Feb 22, 2021
Sometimes I just have it out about 1 metre. Provides a bit of cove and much reduced "sail" area
Gundog said
09:13 AM Feb 22, 2021
No matter how strong the winds are our awning stays out, the awning never moves because the annex or shade walls provide a secondary level of anchoring, primary anchoring is by 1" ratchet straps.
The awning is always deployed in the carport mode, ie legs straight up and down not left attached to the van, and then they are anchored to the ground by 2 pegs each, I have also attached a stainless tie down points near the top of the leg to attach the ratchet strap.
If the winds are going to particually strong I attach a 2nd ratchet strap to leg on a different angle.
Ian G said
07:38 PM Feb 22, 2021
Do you think putting a pole under the ends would make it more secure ?
littledick said
10:37 AM Feb 23, 2021
Dougwe wrote:
I do this but not knowing what a 'Prostor' awning is Not sure if it would work. I posted the pic anyway as might be of use for someone else. The funnel is to harvest water.
Don't like the idea of securing the flap, could break the stitch join!!
Dick.
Dick0 said
01:47 PM Feb 23, 2021
Ian G wrote:
Thanks for the replies, my awning is a square or rectangular section so I don't think those round hooks would be suitable, Aldi had some awning clamps on sale last week but I couldn't make any sense out of them so didn't buy them. I think the rubber straps that Doug uses would do the trick but I wanted to get a guy in the middle as well as the ends. Ian
No Mate.
We are talking about two different awning systems ('Dometic' and 'Fiamma' types)...check out the pics of those posted here...totally different to yours and probably 10 times sturdier, especially after they have been tied down.
Your awning is only meant as a temporary sunshade/shower in no wind. The frame is probably aluminium and parts of it may be cast aluminium like the Fiamma type.
Sorry to sound negative but beware of attempting to use your awning in windy conditions...tied down or not.
Hate to see a nice awning like yours fly away in the breeze, frame and all.
Ian G said
08:15 PM Feb 23, 2021
Rest assured Dicko I will be winding it in when the wind gets up, but I will put a few guys ropes out whenever it is out, thanks everyone for your contributions Ian
Hi, I was wondering is there a particular way of attaching guy ropes to the ends of an awning, or do you just tie them on. I am surprised there isn't a reinforced hole or a loop in the awning to attach a rope . Mine is a Prostor 500. Thanks Ian
Hi Ian,
Welcome!
I would be winding the awning in if there is a hint of a breeze.
I am sure members here will tell you some sad stories about awnings like yours.
Even if you found a way of tying with guy ropes a blast of wind will take the whole awning and frame out leaving the guy ropes anchored to the ground holding nothing in the end.
Sorry to be negative but I have seen the disastrous result to these type of awnings...they are just for temporary shade in calm conditions.
I do this but not knowing what a 'Prostor' awning is Not sure if it would work. I posted the pic anyway as might be of use for someone else. The funnel is to harvest water.
Hi Ian G
I had the same type (but different brand) awning as you
The bookwork did say that it was not to be used in wind or rain, as it was only to be used as a sunshade
I was parked close by to Richard (Dick0), when my awning decided to try and leave without me
Other people had the Carefree type awnings, and mine was the only one damaged, (it was damaged beyond repair)
If there is a strong wind the area of a awning could generate a tonne of uplift, hopefully by then the awning has actually been ripped off!
A bit impossible to see in this photo but I use a Bowline knot at the top & use a Taut Line knot to tighten the rope & if I need leverage I use a Trucker knot.
Ropes are proper stuff from Whitworths Marine, not the rubbish which comes with the awning!
I have been doing the way in the pics for 61/2 years now and never failed. Has also been in some gale force winds.
Most of the awning aluminium poles are not even extruded. They are roll formed & have a welded seam. Rubbish is the technical term for these products!
Aluminium poles should be at the very least extruded, better still cold die drawn to increase temper.
Failing that, there are some professional extruded aluminium anodised extendable painters' poles that are very solid & can be easily modified with a spike on the end, an M4 316 stainless steel bolt tapped in the end, works a treat!
You have the perfect set up Guru, I love it, no towing anything, if ever my roof rack brackets, arrive from Europe - 5 months and counting.
-- Edited by Bicyclecamper on Sunday 21st of February 2021 11:06:40 PM
No matter how strong the winds are our awning stays out, the awning never moves because the annex or shade walls provide a secondary level of anchoring, primary anchoring is by 1" ratchet straps.
The awning is always deployed in the carport mode, ie legs straight up and down not left attached to the van, and then they are anchored to the ground by 2 pegs each, I have also attached a stainless tie down points near the top of the leg to attach the ratchet strap.
If the winds are going to particually strong I attach a 2nd ratchet strap to leg on a different angle.
Don't like the idea of securing the flap, could break the stitch join!!
Dick.
No Mate.
We are talking about two different awning systems ('Dometic' and 'Fiamma' types)...check out the pics of those posted here...totally different to yours and probably 10 times sturdier, especially after they have been tied down.
Your awning is only meant as a temporary sunshade/shower in no wind. The frame is probably aluminium and parts of it may be cast aluminium like the Fiamma type.
Sorry to sound negative but beware of attempting to use your awning in windy conditions...tied down or not.
Hate to see a nice awning like yours fly away in the breeze, frame and all.