Awning blew up and is damaged

[Caledonian Camper]

Im a new owner and didn’t have my awning pegged down. This morning a gust blew it up and it was like a sail. I managed to get it down and seems to be damaged slightly. I’m not sure how badly damaged it actually is it feels secure but there was some bending, and a slight dent in my van, not sure how that dent happened. Here is a pic.

 

[danvan]

The same happened to me on a hire cali a couple of years ago involving high winds and a big bulge caused by rain pooling in the awning. It broke so badly we couldn't wind it in, had to remove it completely (using a bike tool) and leave it behind. It was an expensive lesson, but now we own one we never leave it out in wind and angle it down in rain.

 

[Jenny H]

Im a new owner and didn’t have my awning pegged down. This morning a gust blew it up and it was like a sail. I managed to get it down and seems to be damaged slightly. I’m not sure how badly damaged it actually is it feels secure but there was some bending, and a slight dent in my van, not sure how that dent happened. Here is a pic. View attachment 78350

I must admit that this nearly happened to me at home upon testing! Not nice to happen when your vans so new but at least it didnt damage the Cali - Im not so sure Im going to be using my awning all that much but have put some pegs in readiness if I do - I certainly wouldnt leave it open for the day when going out walking as some of the sites we are camping at are very exposed to the Coast.

 

[Caledonian Camper]

I must admit that this nearly happened to me at home upon testing! Not nice to happen when your vans so new but at least it didnt damage the Cali - Im not so sure Im going to be using my awning all that much but have put some pegs in readiness if I do - I certainly wouldnt leave it open for the day when going out walking as some of the sites we are camping at are very exposed to the Coast.

Yea be careful Jenny, it could happen even if you have it pegged down, when you are packing it away, a gust could do the same thing! Especially if you are solo camping like I am!
I feel a bit daft because I just left mine out all night and if this had happened when I was asleep it would probably have been worse! I never considered it because wind is not that bad. I was in the van and heard a bang and it was up in the air! I was able to pull it down quickly. Doesn’t seem too much damage other than the bracket at the rear. But it feels solid so It should be ok to drive home and assess properly.

 

[B J G]

Perhaps a new Tx adapter could be sourced. Look at downloads, adapter instructions.

Thule Omnistor 4900 VW T5/T6 Awning Pack (3.00x2.50) | Thule | United Kingdom

Thule Omnistor 4900 VW T5/T6 Awning Pack - Lightweight wall awning pack with adapter kit included.

www.thule.com

 

[Jenny H]

Yea be careful Jenny, it could happen even if you have it pegged down, when you are packing it away, a gust could do the same thing! Especially if you are solo camping like I am!
I feel a bit daft because I just left mine out all night and if this had happened when I was asleep it would probably have been worse! I never considered it because wind is not that bad. I was in the van and heard a bang and it was up in the air! I was able to pull it down quickly. Doesn’t seem too much damage other than the bracket at the rear. But it feels solid so It should be ok to drive home and assess properly.

That was lucky you didnt leave it out at night then - so much to learn about our Campers isnt there but I will heed your warning & proceed cautiously!

 

[GrumpyGranddad]

Me too, I won’t leave mine unattended and won’t even bother winding it out if there’s anything more than a gentle breeze.

Can I ask - does the Comfortz Awning Room reduce the risk? I guess it does because it’s pegged down all round and stops the worst of the wind getting in and under the awning canopy.

 

[Jenny H]

Me too, I won’t leave mine unattended and won’t even bother winding it out if there’s anything more than a gentle breeze.

Can I ask - does the Comfortz Awning Room reduce the risk? I guess it does because it’s pegged down all round and stops the worst of the wind getting in and under the awning canopy.

I guess it would reduce the risk until the last stage of taking it down if it was windy but then if there's 2 of you it becomes easier to manage the awning - I can see there's going to be a certain amount of fretting on these long awaited trips!

 

[Stu@rt]

Me too, I won’t leave mine unattended and won’t even bother winding it out if there’s anything more than a gentle breeze.

Can I ask - does the Comfortz Awning Room reduce the risk? I guess it does because it’s pegged down all round and stops the worst of the wind getting in and under the awning canopy.

Some interestingly different takes on these matters eh? The other thread that lists the accessories bought and then ditched, includes a few Thule awning tie down kits. Sounds like the OP was "lucky " that it didn't do more damage. Can only imagine the sinking heart feeling as it happened.

 

[danvan]

Me too, I won’t leave mine unattended and won’t even bother winding it out if there’s anything more than a gentle breeze.

Can I ask - does the Comfortz Awning Room reduce the risk? I guess it does because it’s pegged down all round and stops the worst of the wind getting in and under the awning canopy.

When we broke the hire one we were camping with some friends who had the awning room attached and they were fine. I think the extra weight helped.

 

[danvan]

Some interestingly different takes on these matters eh? The other thread that lists the accessories bought and then ditched, includes a few Thule awning tie down kits. Sounds like the OP was "lucky " that it didn't do more damage. Can only imagine the sinking heart feeling as it happened.

I have a tie down kit but have never figured out how to attach it. But also I do wonder how tight you could tie it down before the rather spindly legs start to buckle.

 

[GrumpyGranddad]

I have a tie down kit but have never figured out how to attach it. But also I do wonder how tight you could tie it down before the rather spindly legs start to buckle.

The Thule tie down kit is easy to fit. Simply locates in the top of the upright on each side, pegs in the ground and then tension the straps.

 

[ThomasHJ]

First off, let me say I feel for you. It's painful when something like this happens. I'd say it's especially bad with a new cali, but I'd still be gutted if it happens now. Might be best to get it fixxed quickly and forget about it even quicker. Chalk it up to inexperience and bad luck and go camping to feel better.

Others have given good advice above. We own a storm-tie-down-kit but hardly ever use it. It works well, but will still leave you unable to sleep because of the noise. We always use metal tent pegs to peg down the awning and always wind it back in when we leave the cali (I know out of experience that rain can break the awning) or go to sleep. If you make that part of your routine it won't happen again.

 

[Perfectos]

Sorry to hear your woes Caledonian Camper,

on a safety point, you need to get the damaged awning bracket replaced ASAP, the pop rivets could fail and Leave you with a very expensive repair bill and endanger other road users, particularly if that came off at high speed.

the brackets are not expensive and relatively easy to replace

 

[Saesneg Shaun]

Me too, I won’t leave mine unattended and won’t even bother winding it out if there’s anything more than a gentle breeze.

Can I ask - does the Comfortz Awning Room reduce the risk? I guess it does because it’s pegged down all round and stops the worst of the wind getting in and under the awning canopy.

I used my awning with the comfortz room a couple of weekends ago. It was a pretty gusty pitch but suffered no mishaps with it pegged all around.
I was surprised how much water collected on top of the awning though!

To the OP glad there wasn't toomuch damage to your Cali.

 

[flying banana]

I have a tie down kit but have never figured out how to attach it. But also I do wonder how tight you could tie it down before the rather spindly legs start to buckle.

That my friend is a very good point. I had mine tied down tight and my drunken body crashed into it. Instant collapse. If it wasnt tied down I would have got away with it. I now don't have the awning out when I'm drinking. So the awning is now never ever out. I posted a pic here somewhere of the damage

 

[Kernowboy]

I was surprised how much water collected on top of the awning though!

Need to drop a leg a touch so water runs off @Saesneg Shaun . Wouldn’t be the first awning reported as collapsing and written off by water pooling on top.
Tie down kit and dropped leg are both essential if you are going to leave the awning out overnight or unattended imho.

 

[WelshGas]

I have a tie down kit but have never figured out how to attach it. But also I do wonder how tight you could tie it down before the rather spindly legs start to buckle.

Very tight.

 

[soulstyledevon]

IMO,
It’s just not worth leaving the awning out unattended/overnight, pegged or not.

I remember a few years back at the Italian Lakes. Beautiful day, sunbathing at the waters edge. Within minutes, a fierce wind blew in. Ran back to the van and wound the awning in. The Caravan opposite had his awning pegged down very well. It ripped half off...
Proper nightmare.

Ever since, I only use the awning whilst at the van. As others have said. Drop one leg lower than the other. Let’s the rain run off...

 

[Ch1pbutty]

Looks like you just need a new bracket. Give Rose awnings a call as they tend to stock everything Thule related:

Www.roseawnings.co.uk

 

[Ch1pbutty]

I have a tie down kit but have never figured out how to attach it. But also I do wonder how tight you could tie it down before the rather spindly legs start to buckle.

They are easy to use, although when not under tension it’s possible to become detached. Awning legs are very strong provided they are done up tightly…the springs on the straps help take the force out of gusts.

Fiamma also do similar straps, but they slide into the kador strip in the leading edge of the awning, so might work better for you but they do prevent you from using the kador strip if you wish to connect a stand alone awning to the roller awning.

 

[Borris]

IMO,
It’s just not worth leaving the awning out unattended/overnight, pegged or not.

I remember a few years back at the Italian Lakes. Beautiful day, sunbathing at the waters edge. Within minutes, a fierce wind blew in. Ran back to the van and wound the awning in. The Caravan opposite had his awning pegged down very well. It ripped half off...
Proper nightmare.

Ever since, I only use the awning whilst at the van. As others have said. Drop one leg lower than the other. Let’s the rain run off...

And don't drop the leg at the door end like I did last night. The ground is now a boggy mess just where you need to walk.

 

[Borris]

Some interestingly different takes on these matters eh? The other thread that lists the accessories bought and then ditched, includes a few Thule awning tie down kits. Sounds like the OP was "lucky " that it didn't do more damage. Can only imagine the sinking heart feeling as it happened.

Of all the things that shouldn't be ditched, a good awnng tie down kit has to be one of the most important. Unless you always wind in your awning when asleep or away from the van then this kit could save you from incurring a large repair bill.

I must admit that we have left our awning out whilst away from the van but only when the Comfortz awning room is attached and fully nailed down. We wouldn't do this if high winds were a possibility.

 

[willwander]

Even if it’s secured, if it’s windy, it makes too much flappy noise.

I always peg it and wind it in on a night or whenever we leave the van.

 

[bvddobb]

Looks like you just need a new bracket. Give Rose awnings a call as they tend to stock everything Thule related:

Www.roseawnings.co.uk

The specific bracket is actually a VW part, not a Thule part. The part no's are on the brackets. Careful: the front and back bracket have different part no's!!