Awnings + strong wind

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Also be prepared for a change in wind direction.

Earlier this year we were caught out,  our MH canopy was out with good storm straps on it.  A passing storm (we were inside watching it) suddenly changed direction and before we could do anything it hit us face on. 

The wind wasn't so much of a problem as the torrential rain.  Due to being on grass that on arrival was as hard as concrete.  We thought we were OK,  once the rain hit us we noticed 1 of the support legs and storm strap was in a dip and under a few inches of water.  The peg worked loose as the ground turned to mush.  OH had to go out and hold the leg of the canopy until the wind and rain past. Thankfully not long,  we saw some who where not as fortunate as us and lost canopy over their roof. 

If in doubt take it down before the winds arrive. You will definely sleep beter. 

You can always erect the awning again when the weather improves. Our Kampa 240 Poled awning is so simple that we can have it down and packed in 10 mins and erection only takes 15 -20 mins max. 

 

We use Peggy Pegs base pads for the bottom of the legs. 4 pegs per pad. The pad can be left in place and the leg quickly released by sliding open the retainers. We can roll the canopy up in a few minutes and put it back just as quickly. No straps or pegs to play around with. You can use additional storm straps if you want, but we don't.

https://uk.peggypeg.shop/

https://uk.peggypeg.shop/

This should make your link live, ob.

Thanks nellie.

Kampa was taken over in December 2018 by Dometic....

A simple walkers compass or phone app assists in working out the wind and sun direction prior to pitching up to assist or avoid. A strategic parked tow car can deflect & shelter as do storm straps prevent take off and shaking loose. Many times we have waited a day or a day early. Equally not keen on high winds towing. 
M

Yes I've  seen those in use.

  In the very early days of owning a MH we used to put a peg through the base of the upright leg,  along with the storm straps.  However on a site in northern Spain OH had to cut through the metal peg with a hacksaw.  He tried everything to pull the peg out but nothing worked.  Last resort was cutting through it.  Since then we haven't put a peg in the leg. 

Normally when we see the wind getting up we just drop the legs a fraction, unclip the storm straps and wind canopy in. Takes but a few minutes.

The occasion I described above was something we've never seen before.  No way could we have tried to wind the canopy in or we would have lost it over the roof,  others tried and failed,  sadly there were a number with damaged canopies that day.  Hanging on to the one leg that the storm strap peg had come lose was the best option.  Didn't take long for storm to blow over and we could then safely wind it in.  OH has bought much bigger anchor pegs for the storm straps 😅😅

Thanks everyone for the input, it's greatly appreciated. Since my opening post, I've switched from our old steel poled full awning, to a Kampa Ace Air Pro 400 I picked up second hand barely used.

It seems pretty sturdy against fairly strong gusty winds we've since encountered, but the absence of all those steel poles has relieved my anxiety no end! As a previous poster said, if worse comes to worse, the air can be released in no time without taking the pegs out anyway.