What Causes An Awning To Unfurl?
We can only sum this up with one word: Physics: the science of matter and energy. Matter in this case being an 18’ long awning and energy being a 60-mph microburst. When a powerful side wind contacts the side of the RV, the air is diverted in all directions, including upward into the retracted awning. As the air pushes under the rolled up awning, it starts to inflate, and the power of the wind compounds until the awning completely unfurls. All awnings have some kind of a locking device. With manual awnings it is usually a small lever that is turned to the lock position, with power awnings it is the electric motor. These locking devices are no match for the power created from these microburst.

Failed Attempts
A huge misconception about awning protection is that if the arms of the awning are wrapped with Velcro or a Bungee Cord the awning will never unfurl. Nothing could be further from the truth! If the locking mechanism of the awning fails, the awning will simply unroll in place when it is hit by a strong wind. Although these types of products are inexpensive, they simply do not protect the awning while traveling.