How To Keep RV Awning From Flapping VIDEO Genius RV Awning Tie Down Hack
By Pete | My Husband’s Corner
This is one of our favorite RV tips and hacks for do it yourself campers! Don’t know how to keep RV awnings from flapping? Use my DIY RV awning tie down hack!
The best camping gear is not necessarily manufactured in a factory, it can come out of your own toolbox!
Psst we’re compensated…see our disclosures.
The Problem: Noisy RV Awning Flapping In Wind
We hate the noise made by a retractable RV awning when it’s flapping in the wind! When we bought our latest RV, we were on our first trip when we realized our old RV awning tiedown strap was not long enough for our new power awning!
So, it is a good thing we practice what we preach … one of our RV camping tips for beginners is to bring tools and spare parts! I had to figure out how to tie down an awning with the supplies I had in my tool box! Turns out … this DIY hack works better than our old traditional awning strap kit! I created this VIDEO to show you how to tie down your RV patio awning with my DIY hack!
5 Simple Supplies
You’ll need these 5 simple supplies to do this DIY RV awning tiedown hack. You can get any one or all 5 of these RV Awning Tie Down Hack Supplies right here!
Stakes
RopeLarge CamRingsCarabinersBungees
Note: You must “select” the LARGE camrings because the small rings don’t have the notch needed to secure the rope.
8 Steps: How To Tie Down Your RV Awning
Use these same steps whether you have a manual awning or electric one.
Step 1:
Hammer the Stake into the ground directly under the outside corner of your RV awning arms … just like I did in my video.
Step 2:
Tighten the tension of the awning rafter arm.
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Step 3:
Hang the Bungee over the corner of the awning structure … just like I did in the picture below.
Cartman Bungee Cords Assortment Jar
Step 4:
Cut the 1/8-Inch Nylon Rope to the appropriate size (our awning required about 10 feet).
Then tie one end of the rope to the carabiner clip.
Now take the other end of the rope and run it through the two holes in the LARGE camring and then tie a knot at the end.
1/8 Inch 100% Nylon Rope Solid Braid – Industrial Grade – High UV and Abrasion Resistance
NOTE: If you tie the knot in the end of the rope before you string it through the LARGE camring, you won’t get it through the camring holes.
Follow the sequence as I describe it here to avoid frustration. *fistbump*
Step 5:
Hang the Carabiner Clip from the bungee hooks and just let the rope hang down toward the stake.
Carabiner Clip 3″ Aluminum D-Ring Spring Loaded
Step 6:
Run the knotted end of the rope through the stake.
NOTE: The knot (you did this in step 4) eventually holds the rope in place in the camring notch … just like you see in the step 7 picture.
Step 7:
Run the rope through the notch in the LARGE CamRing Tent Cord Tensioner.
Check out our photo below for a close-up view. You’ll also find a diagram on the product package.
MSR CamRing Tent Cord Tensioner, Large , Red
IMPORTANT: Make sure you “select” the LARGE CamRing size because the small size does not have the notch needed to secure the rope for this project!
Step 8:
With a slight amount of pressure, pull down on the carabiner clip to tighten bungee while adjusting the LARGE camring (up or down) to remove slack from the cord.
Repeat steps on the other end of the awning.
BAM … You’re Done!
Now that your RV awning tie down project is complete, you have it protected from the wind while you are camping in the rain or sunshine! You won’t have to listen to that annoying noise that can drive a sane man crazy!
That is how to keep your RV awning from flapping in the wind AND avoid marriage counseling at the same time! Ha! Now kick back and camp! P.S. This hack works on tent canopy awnings too!
Never Leave Unattended
No matter what type of system you use, they all have restrictions and can only handle loads up to a certain number of lbs. That’s why you should always remove your tie down and retract your awning so it is securely locked in place when you are away from your rig.
Electric Awnings & Wind Sensors
If you’re RVing in a fancy rig, you may have wind sensors built in to your electric awnings. When the wind exceeds the limit, the awning automatically retracts … you don’t even have to push a button! If you have this setup, you don’t want anything tying down the awning unless it automatically releases to allow the awning to automatically retract at any given time.
VIDEO: Watch How You Do It
Print These Instructions
How To Keep RV Awning From Flapping With DIY RV Awning Tie Down Hack
Equipment
- Scissors or knife
Materials
- 2 Stakes
- 1/8- Inch Nylon Rope approximately 10 feet
- 2 LARGE CamRings
- 2 Bungees
- 2 Carabiner Clips
Instructions
- Hammer the Stake into the ground directly under the outside corner of your RV awning arms … just like I did in my video.
- Tighten the tension of the awning rafter arm.
- Hang the Bungee over the corner of the awning structure (see photo above).
- Cut the 1/8-Inch Nylon Rope to the appropriate size (our awning required about 10 feet). Then tie one end of the rope to the carabiner clip. Now take the other end of the rope and run it through the two holes in the LARGE camring and then tie a knot at the end. NOTE: If you tie the knot in the end of the rope before you string it through the LARGE camring, you won’t get it through the camring holes.
- Hang the Carabiner Clip from the bungee hooks and just let the rope hang down toward the stake.
- Run the knotted end of the rope through the stake. NOTE: The knot (you did this in step 4) eventually holds the rope in place in the camring notch.
- Run the rope through the notch in the LARGE CamRing Tent Cord Tensioner.
- With a slight amount of pressure, pull down on the carabiner clip to tighten bungee while adjusting the LARGE camring (up or down) to remove slack from the cord.
- Repeat steps on the other end of the awning.
- Always remove your tie down and retract your awning when you are away from your rig.
Video
Notes
Traditional RV Awning Tie Down Kits
The more traditional methods of how to tie down an awning come in a few styles. Here are a few options:
Camco Awning De-Flapper Max
The Camco Awning De-Flapper Max works by clipping 8″ wide grippers to your awning then uses velcro-like hook and loop fastener straps combined with durable nylon to attach the gadgets to the side awning arms to prevent flapping in mild windy and rainy conditions.
Camco Awning De-Flapper Max – Protects Your RV Awning From Costly Rips and Tears, Rust Resistant
The thing that is unique about this device is that it does not use any type of awning stakes in the ground. It only attaches the awning fabric to the support arms. These are best for breezy conditions when you want peaceful relaxation at the campsite with basic protection requiring minimum effort to install. If you are leaving the area, you should remove the grippers and retract your awning to be safe from unexpected sudden winds.
Many RVers use this along with some sort of ratchet straps or a wrinkle resistant, heavy duty pull strap with triangle rings to secure their structure to the ground. One of the most popular and affordable choices is the JR Products 25 Foot RV Awning Tie Down we’re discussing next.
JR Products 25 Foot RV Awning Tie Down
The JR Products 25 Foot RV Awning Tie Down design is one of the most commonly used ready-made gadgets to keep an RV awning from flapping.
JR Products 25 foot Awning Tie Down
The strap runs across the top of your awning and then drops down to the ground where it is attached by stakes and the tension spring provides the rigidity to the awning. Because the strap runs the length of the awning, this kit does not fit every situation … it only fits awnings up to 25 feet.
Camco Anchor Awning Strap Kit
The Camco Anchor Awning Strap Kit is similar to our DIY hack design in that you are anchoring both ends of your awning to the ground. This awning anchor kit uses spiral stakes that provide extra holding power because you twist them into the ground.
Camco Awning Anchor Kit with Pull Tension Strap
The sturdy strap snugs over the awning and two springs provide the tension needed to reduce the impact of awning flutter because of winds. A ground-anchored device handles more intense winds from mother nature as opposed to devices that will just attach the fabric to the frame.
How Much Wind Can An RV Awning Withstand?
No matter what method you use to secure your awning, really strong winds can exceed the capability of the gadget you are using to protect it.
How much is too much when you are dealing with high winds? There is no real answer to this question … use common sense when it comes to retracting your awning so you don’t end up having to replace it.
This RV owners forum has a good discussion about max wind speeds and how to keep RV awning from flapping without running the risk of damaging the fabric, hardware or even your RV itself.
Your Tools
When you plan your RV trips, be aware of unique characteristics of the location where you will be camping and bring appropriate tools.
I carry lots of miscellaneous items in my tool box so I am ready for any surprise I may encounter on our camping trips.
We created a really cool RV Tool Kit Checklist you can download for free so go grab a copy for yourself. You can thank me later!
FREE Printable Trip Planner
Make your next trip stress-free with a little pre-planning. Get your copy of our FREE printable camping trip planner template!
What do you think?
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