Instructions for Horse Trailer Awnings

While many horse trailers boast all the comforts of the snazziest RV, any trailer can benefit from a convenient pull-out awning for outdoor living. Such an amenity can expand your leisure space, provide shelter from the sun or sudden downpours and generally make your trailer look more homey and inviting. A horse trailer awning, however, without proper utilization and care, can also become a dangerous eyesore that can cost far more than the original investment. An understanding of the possible pitfalls, and their solutions, involved with installing and maintaining an awning is highly recommended.

Things You'll Need

  • Power drill with a variety of aluminum-piercing drill bits
  • Vise-grip pliers
  • Screwdriver
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Instructions

    • 1

      Be sure the awning is compatible with the trailer. Just about any reputable RV dealership will sell an awning for anywhere from $550 to $1100, at 2010 prices, with installation an extra $200 to $300. Self-installation is relatively simple and involves drilling holes to bolt the awning to the side of the trailer right next to the roof. However, trailer windows can be a problem, as they may interfere with proper placement of the securing bolts and mount placement. Before buying the awning ensure that awning placement will be compatible with the trailer type.

    • 2

      Check that a proper mount is included. As the old saying goes, you get what you pay for. Most of the time the difference in price is obvious, but circumstances may result in the omission of important components. A support mount or tube placed behind the trailer's aluminum siding is imperative. Mounting the awning to a piece of .040 aluminum will not last very long, and having it installed at a bargain price is no bargain if it eventually rips through your siding. Whether you do it yourself or pay an installer, be sure it includes a proper mounting support. If the mount is not included, either pay to have it included or go elsewhere. The added support is necessary in the long run.

    • 3

      Firmly secure the fabric roller when traveling. There is potential for disaster if the awning unfurls while traveling. Tales of woe abound regarding an awning shredding in the wind or damaging following vehicles. The roller containing the awning fabric is not designed or supposed to open up at high speeds, but they are known to. And the fabric is easily the most expensive part; replacements run upwards of $400.

      Most awning purveyors sell plastic clips to insure the awning doesn't unfurl, but they are rarely suggested to the buyer. After all, suppliers are generally in the business of awning repair as well. Other creative and sound ways of securing the roller are double-sided Velcro straps, bungee cords, a spur strap or plastic zip ties: cut them off to deploy the awning, replace them to store it.

    • 4

      Securely fasten the awning legs to the ground. Though awnings are great shelter for moderate weather, they are notoriously unstable if deployed in the wind. The supports are fashioned of light-gauge aluminum, and a stiff gust can damage them if they're not properly anchored. Information on anchoring an awning is available from the supplier, but as mentioned before this is largely available only on request. The most common way to anchor an awning is by securing a screw-shaped dog tie-out into the ground, fastening a strapping or line from the tie-out to the end of the awning and tightening it down. Other resourceful ways involve lightweight ratchet tie-downs, or concrete blocks and hay bales placed around the support legs.

    • 5

      Put the awning away during inclement weather. It should always be remembered that an awning won't withstand severe weather; a thunderstorm with high winds and heavy rain can easily destroy it. Awnings should be safely tucked away if the weather turns violent.