Alu Cab Awning Owner Question…

[Thebigboowah]

I have the Alu Cab Canopy camper, with the 270 degree awning for almost two years now. I’m starting to see some pooling of water along the edge near the front and near the middle in the far back (attached photos). Is anyone else having this issue? And if so, what are you doing to remedy? I’ve placed items underneath. However, they simply are just moving the pooling elsewhere. Please no…you should have bought (insert brand x here). Thanks!

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[fourfa]

I thought there was an arm on top of the central beam that you flip up to elevate and tension the fabric to prevent pooling? Is that not present on yours?

Visible at 0:54 in this video:

 

[Thebigboowah]

Yes sir. There is, and it is deployed. That arm which has that extension has no issues. The lack of taughtness seems to be toward the front and back ones without said extension.

 

[fourfa]

I see. Can you add something like it to the first and third ribs? Fabricate our of aluminum U-channel? Folding down over the beam is such a clean design

 

[Thebigboowah]

I see. Can you add something like it to the first and third ribs? Fabricate our of aluminum U-channel? Folding down over the beam is such a clean design

yes sir. This is the first time to have this prolonged, heavy rain. Will be going to the drawing board to devise a solution. As you can see, improvising with assorted items in truck. Thinking some flex sticks between ribs would create some tightness. Just wanted to see if anyone had the magic bullet already. Lol.

 

[HooliganActual]

You need to get the Alu-Cab Storm Kit. I had the same issue. I also bought the additional pair of awning support legs that help as well. They have a YouTube video about it all and it’s use.

 

[Thebigboowah]

Perfect. Thank you!!

 

[Steven_B]

If it's raining hard, I usually stick a couple of water bottles up between the arms and fabric to help get rid of the rain. If I think it's going to rain a lot overnight, I will just unattached it from the camper (strap) so that the awning isn't tight and the water can roll off while I am asleep. Not ideal, but works here in rainy Western Washington.

 

[HooliganActual]

If it's raining hard, I usually stick a couple of water bottles up between the arms and fabric to help get rid of the rain. If I think it's going to rain a lot overnight, I will just unattached it from the camper (strap) so that the awning isn't tight and the water can roll off while I am asleep. Not ideal, but works here in rainy Western Washington.

This!!

As I mentioned in a previous post, Alu-Cab sells what they call the Storm Kit (or some such thing) but even when using it you should release the strap as you've said so that the awning is not taut and the water can drain.

The "problem" is that the fabric that makes up the edging of the awning does not really have any give; so if the awning is fully (and properly) set up, it forms a little dam between each arm and holds the water in allowing it to pool. Since the awning is just one big sheet of material it will allow the material to luff and pool. The Storm Kit comes with 3 fabric clamps that you attach to the fabric midpoints between the awning arms. These are then attached to guylines that get staked of and tightened to allow the run off. My 270 only came with one down pole of the center arm. I purchased and installed the supplemental down pole kit which adds down poles to the other two arms and this allows you to really use the storm kit without the risk off bending the arms or the awning's frame.

 

[darkhorse13]

The extra legs are a great touch but honestly it's just the name of the game. I've had my awning for 4 years and my fabric is less tight than most these days. I have friends with brand news ones as well and we are always "pushing" off heavy rain. It's more fun to let it pool up and drench your friends standing at the corners. Everyone at Expo West was pushing water pools off awnings (brand x and beyond) this year. The great thing though is that even after 4 years my Alu Cab Shadow Awning doesn't let the water weep thru the actual fabric. This is not a "you" issue, it's everyone.

 

[HooliganActual]

The extra legs are a great touch but honestly it's just the name of the game. I've had my awning for 4 years and my fabric is less tight than most these days. I have friends with brand news ones as well and we are always "pushing" off heavy rain. It's more fun to let it pool up and drench your friends standing at the corners. Everyone at Expo West was pushing water pools off awnings (brand x and beyond) this year. The great thing though is that even after 4 years my Alu Cab Shadow Awning doesn't let the water weep thru the actual fabric. This is not a "you" issue, it's everyone.

Not just rain…hail too!!! Lol

 

[Thebigboowah]

I appreciate all of your feedback! Very much appreciated.

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