Burst air awning pole

When down in France, we had an extremely hot day, and not only did the inner tube blow but so did the outer pole. We also had excellent support from Kampa. We now do not inflate as much, as the awning is still perfectly stable at lower pressure. I now count the number of pump depressions each time to ensure consistency. 

For those that will read all of the above and be deterred from buying an air awning don't as they are brilliant. I would add that on the same day of the blow out, the heat also cracked a front window.

I use an electric pump on our Kampa, and initially inflated to anywhere within the range of pressures specified by Kampa. However, the more I used it, I realised that the lower end of those ranges was quite sufficient. From memory, I think that was probably no more than 9psi, measurable by the gauge on the pump.

Perhaps it is tempting to inflate too hard, especially in hot weather when expansion may occur.

Like Mr H, we are firm fans of air awnings.

We have a Vango Somerby 360 used 4 times. I inflated it up to the green area on the guage. We went away at 9 am returned to the awning at 8 pm only to find it had  deflated / bust. When we removed the bladder there was a huge hole 1.5 mtr down from where the main beam sits at the top of the caravan side. We were surprised just how thin  the translucent bladder was, with made in China stamped all over it. We can only assume that being a very sunny day that the pressure had increased significantly which caused it to explode. This is the first air awning we have owned so not sure if they are all they are cracked up to be. Sourcing a replacement bladder was not so difficult although the prices we were quoted ranged from £40 to £52 which is a significant variation on price. Eventually purchased a replacement and a spare bladder from Dyce caravans Aberdeen, they were extremely helpful being the main dealer for them in this area, and we were charged just £40 for each replacement bladder which was not so bad. The advice they gave us was dont exceed 5 psi and ignore the pressure dial green zone, to allow for expansion. I would have thought that the air bladder would have been made from a more robust material than it actually is. The verdict is out on air awnings, will see  how it goes. Will be checking the other bladders before we go on our next trip though. We recon periodic strip downs for inspection of the bladders and zips would be prudent . 

 .... the green area on the guage

What kind of pressure is that? I inflate my Kampa air awning to around 5 or 6 psi if using the compressor or just till it's firm if using the manual pump.