WINDY throughout the night and if we were anywhere but here in Bullhead City, Arizona it might have really bothered me, but here not so much. We are not under a tree, or anywhere near any trees, we do not have to travel, and we know it is only wind, no storm attached to it.
It wasn’t the best night for sleep. Each time we thought the wind was done, we would fall back asleep, it would pick up again and the rig would continue to thrash so hard we had to hang on so not to get bounced out of bed.
Our morning plan was to take a little drive to Wal-Mart and Home Depot for some needed supplies, but as life goes the plan changed quickly and drastically. The wind continued, but since we were just going into town we felt it would not be so bad…
Famous last words!
We had just turned out of the resort and onto the highway and whack! The wind hit the side of the rig and sent the awning almost over the top of it. Thank goodness we ALWAYS bungee cord it for extra protection. If not, this incident would not have turned out as well as it did. We pulled over immediately and tried to get the awning secured back into place. Not happening since the wind was into the side of the awning.
Next idea…
Turn the rig around so that the gusting, solid wind hitting us would be on the opposite side, we got back in and made a U-turn to an open lot area. This helped a little, but we were still in some big trouble.
The wind was strong and whipping around the dirt and all I could think about is why on earth I shaved my legs the day before, the dirt pounding around my legs was doing a fine job of tearing anything including any hair right off and a little bit of skin as well.
Now the idea was to get the awning out just enough so it would tighten back up and we would lock it back into place. We have learned well that the best laid plans at times just do not go accordingly and this time was no different. What happened next was frightening.
The entire awning rolled down as the wind continued whipping so hard. All I could think was it was going to take sail and take the rig with it. My first thought was to slice the awning away from the rig before it took the entire rig away and if I would have had a knife that is exactly what would have happened.
While the wind was continuously flapping the awning up and down with a vengeance, we were holding on for dear life and trying to unlock the locking mechanism. It was stuck and the awning would not roll back up…OMG!
Just as we were about to lose it all, a good Samaritan stopped to give us an extra hand. While he and I held on to the awning, Jerry rustled with the stuck locking mechanism. Finally, it loosened and we rolled it up and even though it was cock-eyed, it was up and no longer flailing in the wind. We put on extra bungee cords so we could get it back to our site and then figure out what to do next.
Once this wind stops we will work on securing the awning and then venture out tomorrow to do some shopping and then play day the next. No harm, no foul. It sure could have been so much worse, but what an adventure.
Where we’ve been…All 48 lower…Where we are…Extensively traveling…Working and having a blast!
LIFE IS GRAND!
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9 comments:
WoW what a trip hope everything is ok with it.
Wow, good thing someone stopped to help. I have never used my awning, and want to have it taken off the RV. I'm thinking of getting one of the electric powered awnings, they look like they roll up into a box of some sort - wonder if they are any better. I am not able to put out or put away the manual awning on my own.
I hate high winds. So glad you weathered it, so to say.
If you can reroll the awning fairly snug it should survive. Next you want to tie the bungies as close to the drum as possible so it stays high enough to stop the drum from rolling out.
The older mechanical awnings like you have always seem to jam when you don't need it and especially when in a panic situation like you were in.
Answer to Teri our new 5er has the electric awning and has taken away all the head-aches that went with the old style.
It's about time.
http://ricknkathyrousseau.blogspot.com/
Good Samaritan to the rescue. God Bless them and you. We are grateful that you are safe and sound.
Holy cow you guys. I'm so glad you were able to get that awning under control. It definitely could have been worse but not much. I think it's time to stay home til the wind is gone.
So glad that someone was able to stop and help you out. Wind storms are the worst for me..I keep thinking we are going to topple over and hubby has to hold me and remind me it won't go..it better not ever go or else I will have to tell him I told you so :) Glad you are safe. And here's hoping for a quieter night.
So glad you guys (and preseumably the awning) are ok.
... too much excitement... hope the awning is fine
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