You’ve set up camp. The chairs are out, the sun’s dropping, and you’re about ready for a bevvy and a BBQ under the stars. Then a gust rolls through and your awning starts to flap. One side tightens, the other loosens, and before long it’s thrashing in the breeze.
A loose, flapping awning is one of those small annoyances that can turn a calm night into chaos. It starts as an irritation, and before long, there’s more serious damage to deal with. But, there’s a simple fix. With a few smart habits, and the right gear, it won’t be an issue for long.
Why Your Awning Flaps
You can blame airflow and tension. When the wind sneaks under the fabric and the setup isn’t tight or angled right, your awning can act like a sail. As it loosens, movement builds, and so does the noise.
Loose guy ropes, the wrong pegs, or an uneven pitch can make it worse. You can think of it like holding a towel in the wind. Keep it tight, and it barely moves. Loosen it, and it slaps around. It’s the same principle with your awning.
Step 1: Pick a Good Spot
How you choose to position your camp makes all the difference, in sunshine or stormy weather alike. Before you start pegging down, take a minute to think about where the wind’s coming from.
- Face the right way: Try to angle your awning away from the wind.
- Use natural cover: Trees, fences, or dunes will help block gusts.
- Avoid open ground: Wide, flat sites tend to funnel wind straight through your camp.
If the breeze changes overnight, you can always drop one side or roll the awning in. It’s better to adjust early than to be wrestling it at midnight.
Step 2: Use the Best Tent Pegs and Guy Ropes
Strong pegs and guy ropes are the base of a good setup. Cheap or thin ones just won’t hold tension as well in soft ground or strong winds. They can bend or pull loose, and cause damage that ruins your night.
What are the best tent pegs to pack?
The best tent pegs will depend on the terrain you’re camping on.
- In soft terrain, choose STEADFAST Soft Terra pegs. Made with engineering-grade reinforced nylon, their broad shape digs deep for extra grip, making them the best tent pegs for sand, soft grass and snowy surfaces.
- For hard ground, STEADFAST Hard Terra pegs will tie down your awning and keep it there, no matter how much the wind blows. They’re forged with 304 stainless steel and drill into solid grass, dirt, gravel and rocky terrain, easy. They’re the best pegs for hard ground, and particularly windy conditions.
What about guy ropes?
Your guy ropes keep your awning locked down when the weather turns. They’re important, so you don’t want them to fray, tear or slip loose on their own accord. Tiegear STEADFAST Guy Ropes are made of UV-stabilised nylon with a cast aluminium tensioner. They’re secure, and controlled, and at 4 metres long, can hold a safe 45-degree angle for caravan awnings, gazebos and privacy screens too.
Step 3: Get the Tension Right
The goal is firm, not forced. If your guy ropes are too tight, they’ll pull the awning out of shape. Too loose, and you’ll hear it straight away.
How to set the tension:
- Peg the awning feet securely with the best tent pegs for your camp surface.
- Attach STEADFAST guy ropes at roughly a 45-degree angle.
- Pull until the awning fabric feels taut and even.
- Check the middle section for sag. If it dips, tighten it from the corners, bit by bit.
Step 4: Add Springs for wind protection
Springs take the pressure off your setup when heavy winds roll through. They absorb movement so the strain doesn’t hit your tent pegs, guy ropes, or awning fabric.
If you’re expecting gusty weather, clip STEADFAST screen springs between your awning o-rings and your pegs.
If you’re caravanning, STEADFAST soft springs wrap around the drum of your caravan awning.
Even a small bit of give can make a big difference. It’s a simple way of protecting your awning from sudden gusts and that annoying, constant flapping.
Step 5: Support the Edges
Anti-flap kits or support poles are one of the easiest upgrades you can add. They hold the edges firm and stop movement, protecting your awning’s roller arms. But if you don’t have a kit, TIEGEAR equipment is lighter weight, packs small, and is just as effective.
Use STEADFAST Sail Track Loops or Soft Springs as anchor points, and clip on extra guy ropes to steady both sides. The idea is to remove slack so the awning fabric doesn’t whip in the wind. With an awning kit, it takes just a few minutes to set your awning up properly, and can save you from damage that costs hundreds to fix.
Step 6: Prepare for Rough Weather
In tougher conditions, the same rules apply for caravan, tent, and rooftop setup awnings. A bit of prep goes a long way.
- Use STEADFAST Soft Springs to absorb extra pressure and protect your awning fabric from tearing.
- Add Sail Track Loops as anchor points with extra guy ropes to steady both sides
- Choose the best tent pegs for wild camping conditions, and spread them wide for stronger leverage.
- Drop one side of your awning slightly lower than the other, so the wind flows over the top instead of underneath (Bonus: this will help rain water run off, instead of pooling on your awning)
- Pack away any loose gear from under the awning.
Test your handy work before you step away from camp. Grab the edge of your awning and give it a shake. If the whole thing moves, tighten it again. And if the wind really starts to howl, roll it in. No bit of gear is worth losing sleep over.
