Your rv can be effected by as little as a 10 mile an hour breeze.
Rv awnings and wind speed.
Traveling at 65 mph with a quartering headwind of 25 mph gusting to 40 mph would produce a vectored effect of around 80 to 90 mph of wind energy acting upon these 5 square feet of awning.
Use the awning but do so while paying attention to the wind and how it affects it.
Reduce the exposed sail when the wind picks up is when you first think about it same with the rv awning when you first think to yourself.
Otherwise the wind can rip the awning fabric off and sometimes even send the awning flying clear off your rv.
The wind force on your rv is.
For example a 30 ft rv 8 ft high the sheeting only will have a 7154 lb force pushing on it in a 110 mph wind gust not average.
If a gust comes or the wind is from the right direction damage can occur.
Winds near 30 mph and higher may not be safe for some rv s to travel at highway speeds and this is especially true if the conditions include imbedded gusts.
Since awnings are vulnerable to wind you require an electric awning that has a wind sensor.
The wind catches the awning and tends to rock the coach.
The wind speeds that most self supported awnings are tested to is about 20 25 miles per hour but that does assume a steady wind and not a buffeting irregular wind which can be far more dangerous.
Motorized retractable awnings often use a wind sensor or motion sensor that automatically retracts the awning to prevent damage to the arms if the wind speed gets too high.
Having an awning out in a variable wind it can be quite risky.
If this is more than the weight of the rv it will likely flip over.
Wind force lenght x height x f.
Benefits of rv awnings.
The best time to use the awning is when the day is calm and sunny.
Take this horror story from mr.
The newer models with a spring type system will billow and let the air out and the normally retract based on wind speed or motion.
So let s talk numbers actual wind speeds.
A slight breeze is ok but wind is not.
As far as 20 mph i would be scared at 10 mph.
I have seen awnings broke from rain and blown up over the trailer from wind so i do not want to deal with that.
At wind speeds of 15 to 20 mph the effect increases dramatically.
If the winds exceed 20 to 25 miles per hour and the wind is consistent then it s time to roll up your awning for the day especially if it s self supported.
D on irv2 forums for example.
We were in fresno at a friend s house in 2014 had the awning out and realized it was raining hard.
At one moment there is lesser wind the next minute the wind is high.
When extended rv awnings can collect puddles and become heavy with rainwater.
After making the rv awning the manufacturer tests it against a wind of 20 25miles hour.
There are retractable products like retractable roof pergolas that have been rated higher and will withstand wind speeds of 55 63 mph beaufort 10 when open and 150 mph when closed.