Awning. Oh boy.

[chris151151]

4.5 years and 83k miles in with my Cali, I learnt not to leave the wind out awning up, and hope it won't happen to you. I was away five hours, wind got up, pulled out pegs and sheared one bracket, bent one, leaving awning hanging. Fortunately no damage to van apart from a small scratch, and awning intact. Guess VW will refit with new brackets at a price. Felt slightly less stupid when another owner on the site had exactly the same thing that day.

 

[Hawthorn37]

Easily done. We rescued the awning on a neighbours motorhome when on tour in Ireland at Easter. A lovely calm day, until it wasn’t. They were lucky that day.

I’d suggest the Thule storm strap kit available from the club shop

 

[WeltZuJJmerr12]

Easily done. We rescued the awning on a neighbours motorhome when on tour in Ireland at Easter. A lovely calm day, until it wasn’t. They were lucky that day.

I’d suggest the Thule storm strap kit available from the club shop

These straps aren't just for heavy weather; they provide the critical structural support needed to stop the awning from lifting and damaging the delicate mounting brackets in unexpected gusts, saving you hundreds in repair costs.

 

[secret lemonade drinker]

And a curved rafter stops heavy rain creating a reservoir in the middle!

 

[pchmlk]

As above, the straps are a key part of the awning. Too late now I appreciate!!