RV Awning and Screen Rooms
Awnings
RV Awnings make
great funny home videos.
If you don't want to star in your own Abbott and Costello flick, keep reading.
I'll also cover tailgate screens and screen rooms.
Toy Hauler enthusiasts often camp in
exposed areas away from the shelter of RV parks and camp grounds. Sand dunes,
open water, and playas (dry lakes) do very little to slow the freight-train wind
headed straight for your awning. These places also breed dirt devils which,
while short lived, can produce very high winds.
Jerry's Law: A dirt devil is always
headed for..... YOUR RV!
It's 2 am, you were sound asleep, but now
you've been awakened by one of the pleasures of RVing, the sound of the wind
blowing through nearby trees. Then it dawns on you, the awning is out! You have
two choices; take the awning down in the middle of the night or wait until
morning to see how it faired.
An RV Awning exposed to a 12mph wind
can be experiencing total forces in excess 4,000 pounds. This may not be
enough to flip your RV, but may certainly tear the awning off, with an
excruciating and expensive sound. If you suspect the wind is coming, take your
awning down, NOW!
By far the best protection for your awning in the wind is to
take it down. Since not all of us are Johnny-on-the-spot, here's two items that
can help save the awning until you can get it down. This is not an excuse
to leave the awning up and go fishing instead.
First you'll need a set or two sets of Awning-De-Flappers™. I use two on each
side. They are great at controlling that annoying light wind flap (not to be
confused with the mother-in-law flap).
Second are RV Awning Tie Downs, you'll need to get two. Get good ones
with nylon straps, spring tensioners, and screw-in anchors. A good nights sleep
may rest on your choice.
This is my checker-board RV Awning by A & E. It is made of very heavy vinyl
reinforced with polyester strands. While tough enough for most uses, a better
material is acrylic fiber, such as Sunbrella®.
Tailgate Screens
Or, how to keep
the bugs out when you are using that great big opening at the rear of the Toy
Hauler as a picture window.
Generally
there are two types, those that connect to the RV via hook & loop and those that
connect via zippers. My preference is for the more stable zipper style.
Add-On Screen Rooms
Want to get the most out of that big ol' ramp while
staked out at your favorite playground? You can easily turn it into extra living space,
great for entertaining or just enjoying the ultimate picture window.
 Pictured
is an
Xtend-A-Room™
by Dometic. Now you have a great place to kick back and watch the action or
revisit the days adventures. After all relaxing is the name of the game.
Jerry's Law: You will always have
more friends wanting to visit than you have chairs for, let them know it's BYOC
(bring your own chair.)
These and many other
accessories can be found at:
Camping World - RV & Camping Experts Since 1966 
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